This gifted artist did not start that much early like other gifted artists. But when he started at the age of 14, as he unwittingly tried to imitate the work of a master and his teacher recognized his talent, he knew he was on his way. Painting was where he wanted to go.
Ricky MontillaÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs masterpieces in oil is a subtle inter-play of academic reality and perceptual expressions. His style is a fusion of impressionism and realism.
To view the works of Ricky Montilla is to see nature to our mind. He is one professional artist who is very meticulous in composition and details. He delves on the enigmatic and the intricate and yet the paintings are not painted in photographic likeness. They bear spontaneous and painterly strokes making it truly a personal interpretation of creating effects with light and pigment.
It has been his trademark to paint water lilies, ducks, dapo plants and sanggumay. They have long captivated his fascination as an artist and they prominently featured in his art exhibits.
He sometimes paint market scenes. One of his painting w/c was exhibited in Seattle ,USA during the Philippine Independence Day celebration., entitled ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Divisoria Market Scene, ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ was a crowd favorite. His artworks generally received good remarks both Filipinos and AmericansÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Beautiful colors, great depths and textures, world-class, very moving, vivid art work, good use of blending and good flow of composition, excellent paintingsÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ
In one such work entitled ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ daintily pleasing ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ it is infused with a luminescence so convincing to the viewerÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs eye. It is almost as if one can feel the light and atmosphere surrounding the objects.
The over-all impact of each painting seems to draw the viewer to a feeling of a three-dimensional effect then halting your perception into a puzzling optical illusion.
His artistry is embedded in a personal desire to come up with paintings that not only touches the eyes but moves the heart as well.
Ricky took up Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila and also finished advanced painting at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. He has also dabbled successfully into background animation for quiet a time.
Ricky Montilla has had several One-man Exhibit and Group shows here in the Philippines and some part of Asia and US
AWARDS & DISTINCTION:
Judge : i.am.benilde Mural Interaction and Art Competition
April 2007-DLS-College of St. Benilde
Screening Committee :34th Shell National Student Competition 2001
Fine B Category Winner ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 12th Internet International Art/Photo Contest 2003
2nd prize winner : UST Students Annual Art Contest , 1982
Some of his artworks are published in Coffee Table books :
1. Encyclopedia of Phil. Art Vol. 1
( pp. 222 ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 225)
2. A collection of Ageless Art Vol. 3 STRUCTURAL ART p.44
