Tommy Montanez - Multimedia fine artist
- Isobel Arden
- Jun 13
- 4 min read
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Meet Tommy Montanez, a life of graphic design, art and acrylic paints.
Tommy Montanez is a self‑taught multimedia fine artist with creative roots stretching from the Lower East Side of New York to gallery walls across the globe. He grew up gazing at the Brooklyn Bridge and World Trade Center skyline, a daily inspiration that infused his imagination with the pulse of the city.
Busy in the 1980s graphic design scene, Montanez left his mark as the illustrator behind The Liberty Island Game, released during the Statue of Liberty’s restoration in 1984. That game wasn’t just a keepsake—it was sold nationwide, reflecting his flair for blending artistry with popular culture.
Tommy’s artistry isn’t confined to canvasses or games. He’s also the creator of a poignant series of USPS collage stamp figurines. He generously donated those pieces—featuring baseball, football and holiday themes—to institutions like the Firemen’s Museum of York and Secaucus Library, as well as memorials honouring 9/11 rescue heroes.
His dedication to remembrance shines again in a 2011 exhibition, a heartfelt memorial to the rescue workers of September 11th, installed in New York City . In more recent years, Montanez’s work travelled internationally—he exhibited at the Cosmic Canvas‑Space Art Exhibition at Katara in Qatar, joining 20 other artists to explore cosmic themes through art.
Tommy’s art is a kaleidoscope—spanning fine painting, graphic design, figurines and board games—all drawn from “his spirit to create art & inspired by his visions” . He brings vibrant energy to everything he touches, whether it’s capturing spiritual light, national pride, heroism or the vastness of space.
In short, Tommy Montanez is a quirky, imaginative force: a fine artist whose multimedia creations boldly span heartfelt memorials, playful collectibles and interstellar exhibitions—all fuelled by his lifelong love affair with design and spirit.
Tommy Montanez's Fantasy Cultural Year
With a magic wand in one hand, a time machine warmed up, and a Star Trek transporter on standby, Mark sat down with Tommy Montanez to imagine his dream cultural year. You can watch the conversation in full above— on YouTube or Spotify or SoundCloud.
What followed was a creative, witty, and globe-trotting journey across art, painting and football.
1. Postal Stamp Art & Global Showcases
Mark Walmsley introduced Tommy Montanez, a multimedia artist from New Jersey with a unique passion: turning postal stamps into painted artworks and figurines.Tommy shared the stories behind his stamp-inspired creations, celebrating their cultural and historical value.
His work has gained international attention, including participation in the Qatar International Arts Festival. He also spoke about his artistic tributes to the World Cup and iconic moments in baseball history.
2. Art Meets Football: A Global Creative Quest
A shared admiration for New York’s Chrysler Building led to deeper discussions between Mark and Tommy.
Over sparkling Perrier and talk of Dean Koontz novels, Mark proposed a global project blending art and football. The vision: Tommy would travel worldwide, researching the intersection of sport and creativity, culminating in a curated book and television series.
The project would be well-paid and include a global university lecture tour. Tommy was keen to begin, choosing either London or Switzerland as his starting point.
3. Latin Jazz, Dance & Travel Dreams
Music and dance took centre stage in the next part of the conversation.
Tommy revealed his love for Latin jazz, and the pair envisioned a London itinerary featuring a dance performance and a Chinese dinner—Tommy’s preferred cuisine.He suggested the show spotlight Hispanic historical dancing, blending culture and rhythm.
Plans also emerged for a trip to New York: catching a baseball game and visiting an art gallery showcasing works by Salvador Dalí.
4. Prog Rock & Musical Memories
Bonding over music, Mark and Tommy shared fond memories of seeing prog rock legends Yes—reminiscing about concerts in both 1975 and 2014.
They swapped stories about favourite musicals, including Jersey Boys and Tony and Tina’s Wedding. Mark expressed interest in seeing West Side Story and Tosca, while Tommy suggested a classic for film night: Death Wish, starring Charles Bronson.
5. Sports Icons & Artistic Inspiration
The conversation circled back to sport, with Tommy sharing his admiration for football legends like Pele and cities like Beirut. He and Mark explored the idea of a book on football-themed art, reflecting on how sport can inspire creative expression.
Mark closed by thanking Tommy for joining the imaginative journey
Explore some of Tommy Montanez's work.
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Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
Chief Culture Vulture
Arts & Culture Network
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