Dominic Montello
“We rarely, if ever, scrutinize ourselves in an objective manner. These works explore and expose from different angles–and often with a healthy dose of humor–how we hubristically think
of our environments as predictable and orderly, while thinking of ourselves as brave, moral and
independent.”
Using traditional techniques through a self-taught eye, Dominic Montello dives into inspiration from the painters of the Golden Dutch Age.
Exploring the world between objective and spiritual thought, his paintings depict inhuman figures put in dramatic poses, often adorned with halos and robes. Dominic describes his work as “riding that line between the beautiful and the grotesque,” confronting the tendencies of human self-worship and capturing the forms that it can take.
Dominic Montello is a contemporary oil painter based in Seattle, Washington. Originally from Portland, Maine, Dominic moved to Seattle five years ago. After stepping down from his job as an environmental engineer, Dominic rediscovered his love of painting and spent a couple of years building his portfolio, then began displaying his art around Seattle. Deeply immersed in the philosophies of contradicting thoughts he explains, “It’s not about exposing how they contradict each other; it is about showing how the spiritual and objective planes of thought coexist.
To the naked eye one may first assume, as many have done before them, that contradicting thoughts are what make the world of art go round. Yet Dominic's interpretation is quite the opposite—focusing on how the unseen forces within our realities influence our environments and constantly shift the balance between spiritual and objective planes of thought that are a driving factor in our uniquely human experience.
Reminding us of the famed F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Beautiful and The Damned” but with a Dominic Montello twist, he explores ideas of money and decadence as well as morality in love. The beautiful and the grotesque explores our general human tendency to overtly and uncritically idealize both ourselves as well as others and at the same time, the unseen and underlying forces that subconsciously compel us.
“[Man] is locked up in this consciousness, and nature has thrown away the key.”
- Nietzsche, On Truth and Lying in an
Extra-Moral Sense (1873)
“We are bent and troubled by invisible hands.” - Frederick Nietzsche
Dominic confesses he often thinks about what unseen forces are influencing him. In a couple of his paintings (pictured on pg. 31) you’ll find stained glass. The glass represents, as he puts it, “the unseen forces that change the light, and how the perception of our realities may instantly warp around us.”
The philosophies of Nietzsche, a German philosopher, cultural critic, composer, poet, writer, and philologist of the late 1800’s are woven through Dominic’s works. Nietzsche has clearly been a big influence on Dominic, provoking philosophical thought that examines aspects of truth and perspectivism throughout his work. This has resulted in prominent elements of radical self-critique such as Dominic’s grotesque portrait.
Taking his own radical leap five years ago from environmental engineering to primarily contemporary oil painting, Dominic rediscovered himself here in Seattle. Though he admits his process is ‘sluggish, heavy and frustrating’, it is still “the best thing I do every day. In no way does Dominic see himself as one to give creative advice, but he has provided some of the ideas he continues to work by in which he has found solace.
“Creativity is a muscle. In movies, the artist tends to stare at a blank canvas until they are jolted into a fit of passion, beginning to paint directly and decisively without hesitation. This isn’t how it works for me. I find I need to simply sit down and paint every day. In theory and in practice, the more you use [your creative muscles] the easier it gets.”
Over these past couple years, Dominic has continued building his portfolio and has displayed his work over a dozen businesses around Seattle. If you’d like to stay updated on Dominic Montello’s creative journey, you may visit his website at montelloart.com to view his gallery, online shop, and his works’ latest news and events.
Fall Issue 6
This season’s issue tells the story of local Seattle creatives Nicole Hill, Dominic Montello, and Sleeves. Dealing with the Venom in our Veins with guest writers Natalie Jamali, Meuffy, and Don Bird. Prompting readers and creatives alike as to how they will take the destructive venom in their lives and turn it into an anecdote. Discover new creatives and local small businesses in the back of each issues creative directory.
10% of this issue’s Zine sales goes directly back to the creatives featured within. Thank you for your support of Seattle’s ever growing creative community.
(Download link to digital issue expires 24 hours after purchase. Domestic Shipping Only.)
