Meet Joshua Montgomery | Joshua Montgomery | Executive by day, Artist by night

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joshua Montgomery and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joshua, why did you pursue a creative career?
Since my youth, art has been my fiery passion, earning me recognition and awards in school and my local community. Despite graduating in 2007 with degrees in Graphic Arts and Marketing Communication, the harsh reality of the Great Recession made finding employment challenging. Undeterred, I entered the corporate world, eventually becoming a respected executive while also starting a family.

In November 2021, my life took an unexpected turn as my beloved wife was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. This ordeal taught us the value of every precious moment. As Mother’s Day 2022 approached, I felt a strong urge to create a truly special gift for my wife. Reconnecting with my artistic side after a decade, I poured my heart and soul into crafting three hand-drawn portraits accompanied by heartfelt poems. These gifts moved her to tears.

This experience revealed my true calling in the world of art. Throughout the year, I used my artistic abilities to cope with life’s challenges and created several more pieces. In 2023, I declared myself a professional artist, inspired by the healing power of art in my life. I aimed to inspire others, reminding them of life’s fragility and the importance of embracing their unique talents and gifts.

Through my journey, I learned that art has the power to heal and guide us through our darkest days. With my newfound purpose, I sought to inspire others to appreciate the preciousness of life and find fulfillment in their own talents, bestowed upon them by a higher power.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about.

In a world that has grown increasingly transactional and fixated on headlines, sound bites and blurbs, as a portraitist, my art strives to counter this trend. Instead of rushing through superficial glimpses, I aim to encourage viewers to delve deeper into the context, history, and richness of the subject depicted in my art. The ultimate objective of my art is to get the viewer to slow down, take-in the subtle details of the art piece, and hopefully spark meaningful conversations about history and the urgent challenges confronting humanity in the present day. I celebrate the individuals I depict in my art by weaving in elements of their unique identities, experiences, and narratives.

How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?

My mom would say that my passion for drawing emerged as soon as I could hold a pencil. I believe that art beckoned me right from the beginning and to that end, I dedicated a lifetime to refining my skills. It would be wrong to claim that artistic ability comes easily, as I am aware that for those who are just starting out, it may require a significant amount of time to cultivate their artistic abilities. Additionally, my experience in teaching portrait drawing has revealed that I perceive faces differently from most people. Upon observing someone’s face, I instantaneously notice the contours, key proportions, such as the distance between their eyes and mouth, the angle of their nose, the structure of their cheeks, the placement of their eyes, and so forth.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?

When it comes to challenges, the biggest one for me isn’t a blank page. In fact, I get really excited when I have a blank canvas. I’ve learned over time that many people struggle when faced with an empty art board. However, the real challenge arises when I receive too much art direction. It tends to push me down a specific path, even though I feel like the artwork wants to go in a different direction.

To begin my creations, I spend hours staring at the subject photo, trying to understand the direction it’s calling me towards. Sometimes, it demands a more subtle and understated approach, while other times it calls for boldness. One thing I can say for certain is that the final artwork never turns out exactly how I initially intended it to be. That’s just part of the creative process. It takes control and you have to be open to making shifts to bring the piece to life.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

I want to inspire current or former artists to engage in the act of creating art purely for their own fulfillment. Whether they choose to share it with the world or keep it for personal satisfaction, I believe that if you possess the gift to create something, you should embrace it wholeheartedly. Don’t underestimate the value of your life or the talent bestowed upon you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Dallas, you can’t miss out on BBQ, so I’d definitely take my best friend to Pecan Lodge for some delicious bar-b-que. To enjoy live music and soak up the lively atmosphere, we’d explore Deep Ellum, which is also great for people-watching. For a drink, we can visit Whiskey’s or Meddlesome Moth.

As a self-proclaimed pizza snob, I highly recommend Sam’s Pizza in Cedar Hill. Their family migrated from NYC, and they make top-notch NY Pizza. Bishop Arts is a must-see with its eclectic shops and art galleries. And of course, we have to indulge in some TexMex while we’re in Dallas! Options like Fuzzy’s, Torchy’s Tacos, and Velvet Tacos will satisfy our cravings.

Let’s not forget about our friend, Fort Worth! Sundance Square has a nice atmosphere with plenty of entertainment. As art enthusiasts, we’ll enjoy the Dallas Museum of Art, The Modern in Fort Worth, and some fantastic murals in Deep Ellum. And for a touch of history, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza provides a compelling experience.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my wife, Thandi. She has been the biggest source of encouragement and support throughout my artistic journey. Her unwavering belief in my creativity and her compliments on my unique artistic style and vision have fueled my passion. But it goes beyond that. In the face of her courageous battle with cancer, she managed to provide me with the space and energy I needed to delve deeper into my artistic career.

My wife’s love, and constant words of encouragement have played an instrumental role in my success. She has been there for me every step of the way, pushing me to embrace my talent and reminding me of the importance of following my dreams. Her presence in my life has been a constant reminder that I am not alone on this journey and that my artistic pursuits are worthy of recognition.

I am incredibly grateful for her love, strength, and belief in me. She deserves immense credit and recognition for the pivotal role she has played in shaping my artistic path. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and I am forever indebted to her for her unwavering support.

Website: https://joshmontgomeryart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josh_le_artist/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/montgomeryjoshua/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@josh_le_artist