Portrait of an Artist: Monty and Don — Video
It’s not a stretch to say that Monty sees the world a little differently.
“There’s energy in everything,” he says, gesturing with his paint-stained hands. “When I’m painting, I try to capture the energy flows of the universe.”
By his count, he’s created more than 600 paintings — not bad for a 92-year-old who hadn’t picked up a brush until his mid-sixties. At home in his Nashville apartment, surrounded by his artwork, it’s easy to feel the energy.
Don, Monty’s caregiver, understands the best way to provide care for Monty is to keep the house in order and provide him with the space — and solitude — he needs to create his artwork. Sometimes, Don says, if he shows up and sees that Monty is busy in his studio, he’ll go about organizing and cleaning the apartment without disturbing him. In a way, their relationship resembles Monty’s art: parallel lines working together to create something beautiful.
That’s not to say they don’t enjoy spending time together. “With Don, it’s just a good feeling,” Monty says with a laugh. “It’s a soul connection.”
Talk about good energy.
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Written by
Eric Larson
Eric Larson is a writer and filmmaker based in Brooklyn, NY. He’s worked on commercial campaigns for brands like Google, Amazon Fashion, and Casper, and his independent films have screened at renowned festivals in New York City, Los Angeles, London, and Paris.
