GRANTS, N.M. (KRQE) – There is something to be said about methods that are tried and true. Even more so when those ways have been used for centuries despite modern-day conveniences. “A lot of things that we do here in New Mexico, they don’t do anywhere else,” said Jerry Montoya.
New Mexico artist Jerry Montoya has been doing that for most of his life. Montoya could not stop at just one medium. He has created paintings, carvings of saints, tinwork, and now jewelry. “I’ve always been an artist you know that’s all I ever wanted to be since I was a little kid. I remember my I guess my first experience when I was like in the fifth grade, I had a teacher who loved art,” said Montoya.
His love for art blossomed into art classes at New Mexico State University, sculpting and getting involved with Spanish colonial artists. The primary work that Montoya has always produced is rooted in his catholic faith. “I love the Renaissance. I was studying the Renaissance and a lot of the Renaissance artists like Michaelangelo and they all they all got their start in churches,” said Montoya.
That also included staying true to how these works were created hundreds of years earlier. “They made paints out of different things like seashells and things from the sea where they were more custom to,” said Montoya. “Us here [New Mexico], we use pine and piñon and cedar and the things that we have here and readily available.”
Creating works of art is not just a way of life but also a form of healing for Montoya. At the urging of a friend, Montoya found solace in learning the skill of carving santos while he was taking care of his wife when she was ill and on the verge of passing.
In carving, he found his strength. “I don’t know. I guess it’s because, to me, it’s a person. It signifies my faith in my humanity you know, and my culture, and everything comes into place so that’s what helps,” said Montoya.
For a man who has based his life and art on faith, Montoya has faith that the traditions of his artwork will carry on. “I believe it’ll all come back you know cause doing things with your hands is always intriguing. It’s always second nature to everybody and you can do it. You can teach yourself the skills to do it and then and then you can follow the history,” said Montoya.
