tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33397812010-03-27T20:57:46.912-04:00Greg Montgomery's Posters, Fine Art Prints and Sketchbook NotesGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-84019814476574595062010-03-27T20:26:00.002-04:002010-03-27T20:57:46.922-04:00

This little color study was for a Dick Francis book, Second Wind, that featured a flight into the eye of a Caribbean hurricane. For me, storms or no storms, the end of March always brings with it an overwhelming desire to go south -- really south. I've been fortunate to return many times to the coast of Mexico, south of Cancun. The water and beaches and the bougainvillea there are just

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-68334538275454499212010-03-17T10:44:00.003-04:002010-03-17T21:36:59.009-04:00

Finally, five straight days of warm weather and sunshine. Crocuses and Snowdrops are popping up everywhere. The ducks in Buckingham Pond are paired up and Mr. and Ms. Cardinal are making the rounds of the bird feeders. Even the house contractors are booked solid. All sure signs of spring.We might get a snowfall or two before it's over, but the sun is high and strong so it won't last long. By next

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-85808786628015452232010-03-10T19:14:00.003-05:002010-03-17T21:37:30.505-04:00

I've been doing some studies of Rachel Alexandra lately. She's an amazing lady. As the 2009 Horse of the Year she has a brilliant career ahead of her. I've been trying to capture how she holds her head aloft and how calm and intelligent her eyes are. She just projects strength and focus.Sketches are something I do before I start the finished color work that become prints and posters. But,

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-42153284894399188422010-02-16T11:11:00.005-05:002010-02-20T22:32:29.080-05:00

Sunday, February 14th, the legendary writer Dick Francis died in his home on Grand Cayman Island. He was a wonderful man. I discovered his habit-forming murder mystery writing years ago, and read all I could find. Much later, when I was asked to create cover art for his books, my son and I went to visit him in his home on Seven Mile beach. One of the most-beloved authors in the world, he created

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-81087198588978607852009-11-17T23:57:00.005-05:002010-03-17T21:38:46.399-04:00

My friend Dr. Denis Foley and I toured the Dingle Peninsula near Tralee in southwest Ireland and then drove to Dublin for a week of research on an exhibit featuring the Irish patriot James Connolly. Driving across Ireland, we stopped at the world famous horse breeding farm, the Irish National Stud in Kildare. What a magnificent place.In Dublin, Denis spent his days in one of the great libraries

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-76520411011947813702009-10-09T16:05:00.003-04:002009-10-09T16:10:12.830-04:00

A wonderful new gallery came to Saratoga and I am pleased to have my work there. Spa Fine Art Gallery in the Arcade Building in Saratoga Springs, NY is in a perfect location. At 376 Broadway, near Phila Street, it's practically across the street from the famous Adelphi Hotel. We had a great first season. Most of the major pieces sold as did many of the smaller prints. We even sold a bundle of our

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-6270353711312312282009-08-19T16:52:00.006-04:002009-11-18T08:53:12.001-05:00

I met and signed posters and books with some of my favorite jockeys here in Saratoga this week. None other than the amazing Pat Day, Edgar Prado and Alan Garcia came to Impressions at 368 Broadway in Saratoga to autograph posters and meet their fans. Mare Barker and her wonderful crew at Impressions have made a summer ritual out of rounding up some of the top jockeys in Saratoga each summer for

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-4198189499440167362009-05-29T22:30:00.001-04:002009-05-29T22:35:32.451-04:00

As these two beautiful horses and their riders walked the peaceful, leafy path to the track for the 139th running of Saratoga’s Travers Stakes, it was not at all evident that less than an inch would separate them at the finish. Jockey Garrett Gomez on WinStar Farm's Colonel John held off the hard-charging Mambo in Seattle in a duel that had 40,723 people standing at their seats. It was the

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-1288314036331507422009-05-29T22:22:00.001-04:002009-05-29T22:25:30.932-04:00

Crafters Gallery on Broadway in Saratoga is hosting a reception for me to celebrate the release of my 2009 poster. Each year since 1986 I have created a print dedicated to Saratoga's premier race, the Travers. I try to capture the essence, the moment, the excitement of Saratoga's thoroughbred racing meet. Over the years these prints have been collected worldwide and have become an annual "must

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-26603402875719052202008-12-02T22:08:00.004-05:002008-12-02T23:44:03.217-05:00

Just in time for the holidays, select pieces from this summer's exciting "25 Years of the Travers" show in Saratoga are on display at the Townsend Park Bakery Café — the newest food and art venue on Townsend Park in Albany, NY — where Washington and Central come together. Mark Smith, owner and developer has devoted a large gallery to showcasing some of the original limited edition silkscreen and

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-58005200499770166232008-08-16T20:48:00.003-04:002008-08-17T10:34:32.280-04:00

Carl Nafzger is a thoroughbred trainer who has won the Eclipse Award, two Kentucky Derbys, and the Travers. He also, I am proud to say, wrote the foreword to our book, "The History and Art of 25 Travers." I met him for the first time when he joined the author, Vic Zast and I to sign books at the National Museum of Racing in Saratoga. He's an amazing fellow. A former champion bull rider, he's one

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-53638740593806180192008-08-11T23:33:00.004-04:002008-08-17T16:41:56.247-04:00

It was a big night. More than 350 people braved the storms and helped us celebrate the opening of my first solo exhibit of the Travers originals. The exhibit showcases the 27 original limited edition silkscreen and giclée prints that created the longest running poster series. Vic Zast, who wrote our new book "The History and Art of 25 Travers" was there to help greet people and sign books. It was

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-76465426398500000132008-07-29T22:17:00.005-04:002008-07-29T23:15:09.548-04:00

Today, after several months of work, I rented a van and took 27 framed pieces up to the Saratoga Art Center gallery in Saratoga Springs, NY. The opening reception and book signing is Saturday, August 2, 2008 from 5-8p.m. Please come by if you are in the area.For most of the last 25 years I have concentrated on presenting and marketing my posters, not on the original artwork that made the posters.

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-26386566486191149982008-06-29T15:12:00.004-04:002008-06-30T22:29:15.369-04:00

After 22 months of planning and work our new book is here — and it is beautiful! "The History and Art or 25 Travers" is a full color, 144-page coffee-table book which tells the stories and shows the photos and artwork from 25 historic Travers Stakes races in Saratoga Springs, NY. There's just nothing like it. Find out more on 25Travers.com, and look for it in most places where fine books are sold

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-8074911777891962452008-05-31T00:30:00.005-04:002008-06-05T20:44:04.582-04:00

We've seen final proofs, heard great reports from the printer and publisher and now our baby is in the bindery. By June 27, 2008 we should have the first copies of our 144 page coffee-table beauty called "The History and Art of 25 Travers." The book is 9" x 12" (22 x 30 cm) and is written by Vic Zast. It has excellent photography and it is illustrated by me. It will be the first time that all the

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-36695269385378163342008-05-30T23:43:00.003-04:002008-06-02T22:01:44.096-04:00

This unique triptych celebrates three of the greatest Travers stakes ever run; Jim Dandy in 1930; Jaipur and Ridan in 1962 and Alydar and Affirm's controversial finish in 1978. It also announces my upcoming art show and book release at the Saratoga Art Center Gallery, (Broadway at Spring Street, Saratoga Springs, NY) from August 2-31, 2008. All the original silkscreens that made the Travers

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-84453608065788315952008-05-30T23:18:00.004-04:002008-06-02T22:04:50.046-04:00

Street Sense is a great horse and Calvin Borel is a world-class rider. Put the two of them together at the Travers and something newsworthy is bound to happen. So it was that in the last few strides of one of the most important races of his career, Borel turned in the saddle to take a long look under his arm at his competitor Robby Albarado on the charging Grasshopper. The glance tied the two of

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-33556341902605752112008-03-20T22:26:00.006-04:002008-03-20T23:35:11.553-04:00

All winter I've been working on a book due out in late spring. It's called "The History and Art of 25 Travers." Written by Vic Zast, it has great photography and it is illustrated by me. It will be the first time that all the Travers posters will be in one place at one time. I thought I'd share a few of the pieces that will be in it. Some are just sketches, others are color studies and there's a

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-1226246982637781192008-02-10T20:16:00.000-05:002008-02-10T22:48:13.219-05:00

Not long ago Neko Case, the striking, red-haired indie-rock singer/songwriter came to town. I wasn't familiar with her music, but she definitely had a face I wanted to draw. So, working from one of her PR photos I did a portrait and brought it to the theater to hear her play. I was hoping to trade my art for an interview, but it was not to be. That was disappointing, but her music wasn't. She's

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-3706205240131805512007-08-30T21:29:00.000-04:002008-02-10T22:49:41.991-05:00

It was the warmest, muggiest Travers I can remember. About 95° (35°C) and 100% humidity. But the heat didn't stop the amazing Street Sense from edging out Grasshopper by half a length to win the $1 million Travers Stakes last Saturday in Saratoga Springs, NY. What a race and what a great day at the track. Thank you to all the people who braved the heat and visited our booth. This is the year I

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-46127980617785140702007-07-23T15:18:00.000-04:002007-08-30T22:14:23.791-04:00

Once again, I was asked to create the cover for Saratoga Style magazine. So I focused on architecture. It wouldn't be summer in Saratoga without the fabulous porches and gazebos there. Porches are such great spaces — not inside, and not quite outside. They expand our summer experience surrounding us with chaises, shade, and the lush greenery and flowers of high summer. The only thing missing is

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-32930415999038792872007-03-09T22:29:00.000-05:002007-05-22T00:31:14.349-04:00

Surely, no one needs to teach thoroughbreds to run. But, they do need to learn how to start. The 2007 poster artwork, "Settling In," highlights the most important six feet (two meters) on the racetrack; the starting gate. Under the watchful eyes of stewards and starters, every racehorse must learn how to enter and leave the tight green box before they can race. Young and veteran horses alike are

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-1156886444258503052006-08-29T16:53:00.000-04:002006-09-01T09:56:49.756-04:00

More than 40,000 people watched the mighty Bernardini pull ahead of Bluegrass Cat to win the $1 million Travers Stakes last Saturday in Saratoga Springs, NY. And, it seemed like we met and signed posters for all of them(!) It was a great day at the track. I want to thank all those people who came by our booth to say hello. I did get away for a few minutes to take photos of the celebrity crowds in

Greghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08115509593964367038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-1156887534973481042006-08-20T17:35:00.000-04:002006-09-01T09:56:04.583-04:00

Read the Times Union story covering Greg and his work, in particular his series of book covers for mystery writer Dick Francis. The story, “Race track images turn out to be made for mystery,” was originally published in the 2006 Travers edition of Saratoga Style, a special section in the Albany newspaper.

Spencer Raggionoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3339781.post-1152329824619577292006-07-07T23:34:00.000-04:002006-07-07T23:40:14.996-04:00

The 2006 poster artwork, "Red Paddock," once again showcases Saratoga Race Course's remarkable mounting yard or paddock. This tree shaded green encircled by classic white fences and bright flowers goes from beauty to business before every race. It's the place to get the best look at the thoroughbreds, their proud and anxious owners and the trainers and jockeys who strive to make the dreams come

Spencer Raggionoreply@blogger.com0