Monte Thompson discovered Fine Art in his youth through images of Michelangelo’s sculpture. A self-taught sculptor and draughtsman, he traveled across the United States seeking out the great works in numerous collections on the East Coast. In the presence of these majestic paintings, his passion for oil painting was ignited.
In 2017, a lifelong dream was realized as Monte journeyed to Rome and Florence, Italy. Here, in the presence of Michelangelo’s work, his understanding of beauty deepened and he embraced the Italian idea of “la bella figura”. He was forever altered.
From his studio in Colorado, Monte works in the painting tradition of Caravaggio where he creates a harmony between chiaroscuro and modern concepts. Through these concepts, he reinforces the intelligence that underlies all human endeavors. With a bold and impassioned style, he creates the feeling of order and devotes himself to the greatest beauty in life.
2018
2018 Western Regional Exhibition, Oil Painters of America, Mary Williams Fine Arts, Boulder, CO
2017
2017 Western Regional Exhibition, Oil Painters of America, Illume Gallery of Fine Art, Saint George, UT
2014
First Annual International Juried Artists Guild Exhibition, The Artists Guild, Scottsdale Artists’ School, Scottsdale, AZ
2013
2013 Juried Salon Show, Oil Painters of America, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey, MI
2012
57th Annual Art Show, Oklahoma Art Guild, Oklahoma City, OK
2011
19th Annual Associate Artist Exhibition, Lyme Art Association, Old Lyme, CT
Joint Exhibition with Kelli Folsom, Sophia, Bulgaria
Joint Exhibition with Kelli Folsom, Smolyan, Bulgaria
2010
Deck the Walls!, Lyme Art Association, Old Lyme, CT
Holiday Fine Art & Gift Salon, Mystic Arts Center, Mystic, CT
Awards
2011
Artist in Residence (Polkovnik Serafimovo, Bulgaria), Griffis Foundation, New London, CT