Today we’d like to introduce you to Montressa Hammond.
Hi Montressa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
In May 2020, I experienced a stroke on the right side of my brain affecting the left side of my body.
While regaining my strength, it was discovered I had lost all understanding of emotions, and in response to rising anxiety, I became fixated on painting. Having no prior painting experience, I began painting abstract pieces and gradually shifted to seascapes, then portraits.
Using bright bold colors and images to express how I am experiencing the world around me and the feelings that build up inside of me; Stroke of Art was conceived. I am fascinated and focused on realism, and contemporary pop art. Just when I thought I lost everything, I gained a superpower; now my art speaks louder than my words ever could.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
After a very successful public debut in March 2023, I immediately realized I did not have the inventory to reach my year goal of participating in a show once a month. The brain trauma from the stroke has caused me to suffer from muscle spasms, migraines, and neuropathy, whenever I exert myself mentally.
Additionally, I have difficulty staying awake during the day, which made producing art within these circumstances a very slow process. The previous year I only produced 5 acrylic paintings, taking between 2 to 3 months to complete each project. I decided to set a mini goal of completing at least 1 large new painting or 2 small paintings before the next show for every show moving forward. To my surprise very recently, there has been a gradual increase in production throughout the year.
The time it takes me now to produce paintings ranges from 2 days to 1 month, in total this year I have produced 23 paintings. I credit my success to adapting, setting realistic goals, and breaking them down into achievable steps. Setting my mini goal for each show helped me to manage my energy and health while actively participating in the art community.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At present, I work with acrylic paints, and one thing I have come to specialize in is my use of color theory in the way I blend layers of colors to express emotion. The painting I am most proud of is “Intimacy in Shades of Green”, painted in May 2023, which has inspired several paintings since then.
When I painted this, I was rediscovering what the word intimacy meant to me. The personal connection and emotional depth I bring to my work, as well as the positive impact my testimony has on others, is what sets me apart from other artists.
How do you define success?
I define success as the active pursuit of my passion to learn everything there is to know about painting.
My life goal is to create a style of painting unique to me by incorporating different techniques, and different forms of painting. I will use my art to create positive impacts and emotional connections with consumers and the art community.
While doing so, living a life where I can support myself independently again. Independence begets Freedom, freedom to create a new future for the new post-stroke Montressa. Success is also just being happy within yourself when you wake up in the morning. We are all just humans trying to live a happy life. If I can do that I know I have been successful.
Pricing:
- 11 x 17 paper prints – $30
- Canvas Prints range from – $80-$200 depending on size
- Original Paintings are for sale, contact us for more details.
Contact Info:
- Website: strokeofart.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strokeofart.montressa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=5727489
Image Credits
Chloe Bovia – Bovia & Co
