I began painting in early 2006. For me, painting is a form of self expression and personal expansion. It is the one thing I have found in life where I feel like I am in the zone.
Connected to all that is
Living in moment
And dreaming
WHY TRIBAL?
I paint landscapes with acrylics.
I have had no schooling or training in this area. My eyes have always been able to see composition, design and different perspectives.
I use water as my guide and main element and see where it wants to take me. I have borrowed the traditional painting style of the Aboriginals. I have an admiration for their dot technique because it creates movement within the image – creating an energy all it's own.
I have a very diverse ancestral heritage and have been discovering bits and pieces throughout my life. At this time in my life I am very drawn to tribal cultures. They have not lost their sense of self, by continuing to embrace the old ways and their traditions. They honor that we are all brothers and sisters. As time and technology are moving forward, I feel as if I am going back in history and wanting just the basics. Keeping it simple.
BIO
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area in a family that believed in tradition. I was raised by my Indonesian Grandmother who taught me to believe in my dreams and use them for information and to expand my view on life. I have always been a dreamer – daydreaming in school, envisioning other worlds and using those visions in my creativity. I believe I must pay attention to my dreams and listen to them because if I do not they will stop coming.
My upbringing was one of ancient teachings and an honoring of all things as alive. My creativity was always encouraged and I learned may different crafts as a child. I was an expert with crayons and at the time considered myself a Master Colorist! (You may remember when coloring in coloring books the final piece was outlining everything in black).
After many years of conventional school, I yearned for more individualized self expression. I was exhausted trying to fit in when I never felt I did. For many years, I played guitar and bass in punk bands and was part of the underground punk scene in San Francisco that created waves in the US and Japan. I played music, photographed and video-documented bands and the exploding movement. I was in my element.
When my grandmother passed away I then decided to start over. From the Bay Area, I moved to New Mexico in search of myself and did a 6 year personal quest in Santa Fe. Santa Fe it is a very intense place. Returning back to my roots of tradition in Feng Shui and dreaming. I tried everything that was alternative, esoteric and energetic. I trained with renown healers in the US, trained in Bali and had a private practice as an energy practitioner. I recenty wrote a book called Grandmother Feng Shui Wisdom, Teaching The Dragon Ways based on the teachings from my grandmother.
Now, I am painting and exploring this medium in its many forms. I have always loved the elements of wind and water (Feng Shui) and now I am incorporating them in my paintings.
Chantal Monté Paintings
