'I love the beauty of natural light, the delicate nature of good draftsmanship, and the lore of the great canons of traditional artmaking. A certain austere study is what I seek in my paintings and drawings, regardless of the subject. I have a studio in East Lyme, CT and days spent quietly working on a portrait or still-life are very fulfilling, studying the play of light across form. I love teaching the timeless principals of draftsmanship and painting; a feeling that the techniques discussed have been discussed in the same way through the ages.
I grew up in Old Lyme and was very inspired by the story of the American Impressionists who had created an art colony in the town, and their spirit of art-making is still tangible in the area. Having a fascination with drawing from an early age, I began to take classes at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts as a teenager. I was offered a scholarship to the Columbus College of Art and Design in Ohio, where I received a BFA in illustration. I teach classes at the Lyme Art Association and the Mystic Museum of Art; focusing on the classic principals of art creation. The basics are ever-present in every work, regardless of the complexity of the composition. It is this area that interests me the most, and what I instruct upon in class-as well as what seek in my own work."
contact: Jack Montmeat
P.O. Box 595
Old Lyme, CT 06371
(860) 447-3240
jwmontmeat@hotmail.com
Short film of Jack working on a cast drawing in his studio:
working on-site at Wehpittituck Farm,
Stonington, CT.
JACK MONTMEAT (B. 1980 Norwalk, CT)
Education:
Columbus College of Art and Design ‘98-’02 (Earned B.F.A. ‘02)
Lyme Art Association (attended monitored life-painting sessions ‘02-’07)
American University of Paris (summer ‘02)
Lyme Academy of Fine Arts (classes and workshops ‘93-’01 Deane Keller, Dan Gheno, Jerry Weiss, Peter Zallinger, sculptor Dan Edwards)
Studio Art Centers International in Florence (summer ‘99)
Awards, Grants and Workshops:
2015: Visiting Artist Portrait Society of Reno
Finalist Art Renewal Center 2014/2015 Salon
2014: "Certificate of Excellence" Portrait Society of America International Portrait Competition
Finalist Art Renewal Center 2013/2014 Salon
2009: “Best in Show” Elected Artists Exhibition, Lyme Art Association
The Stobart Foundation Artist Fellowship (for independent study in Paris)
2007: Visiting Artist Columbus College of Art and Design
1st Place Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists (juried by Aaron Shikler)
2006: Ludwig Vogelstein Foundation Grant
2005: George Sugarman Foundation Grant
Painting Award, Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts, Mystic, CT
2004: Drawing Award, Ridgefield Guild of Art, CT (juried by Robert Cottingham)
Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant
Drawing Award, Lyme Art Association (juried by Burt Silverman)
2003: Drawing Award, Guilford Handcraft Center, Guilford, CT
Drawing Award, Carriage Barn, New Canaan, CT
2002: Drawing Award, Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts, Mystic, CT
2001: Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant
1999: Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2008: “Paintings from Life”, Ruggiero Gallery Madison CT
2007: Group show with Hollis Dunlap and Scott Waddell, Garvin Gallery Essex, CT
2006: “Alumni Exhibition” Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, CT
2005: “Winner’s Circle”, Ridgefield Guild of Art, CT
“Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts”, Mystic Art Center, CT
2004: “Mirror Mirror” self portrait exhibition, William Benton Museum of Art
“Visual Soliloquies”, Carriage Barn, New Canaan, CT
American Artists Professional League, Salmagundi Club, NYC
Allied Artists, National Arts Club, NYC
Publications:
May 2008 The Artist’s Magazine “Artist of the Month”
"Teach Yourself Visually Drawing" by Dean Fisher
Winter 2005 American Artist special “Drawing” issue
Teaching Experience:
2015: Portrait Workshop, Portrait Society of Reno
2003 - present: Drawing and painting instructor at the Lyme Art Association
2005 - present: Drawing and painting instructor at the Mystic Arts Center
2012 - present: Drawing and painting instructor at the Wethersfield Art Academy