We Did It!
In the second week of August – the absolute busiest time of my year – my friend Dave Cole gave me an ad from the Vail Daily, the newspaper in Vail, Colorado. The ad announced Vail Mountain's 50th Anniversary Poster Design Contest which Dave was suggesting I enter.
The poster design had to speak to the famous resort's history, its founders, the town's unmatched atmosphere and the scope of its skiing experiences ... and I had until September 1st to have it done(!) I love skiing and I've always wanted to see Vail, I couldn't pass up this up.
I showed early designs to Dave, a long-time Vail resident, and followed his suggestions. Finally, my entry arrived in Vail on September 1, and about one week later I got the news - we won! From thoroughbred horses to thoroughbred skiing! I was just so thrilled and honored to be working with one of the most famous mountain resorts on earth.
In the week that followed the announcement we worked to produce the poster which is now on sale in Vail. Pretty soon I'll get my wish to see the legendary Vail Mountain between my skis! It doesn't get any better than that. Thank you, Vail. Thank you, Dave.
Greg Montgomery
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September 27, 2012
New Heights!
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August 10, 2012
Racing Along
It's already August summer peak!
At left, is John Velazquez, today's Hall of Fame jockey inductee, receiving a giclée of a portrait that I did of him for the National Museum of Racing. Below, see the cover I illustrated for the Hall of Fame program.
New Signing Schedule
Here's the updated schedule of where I'll be signing posters and books. We've had one date added and another one changed to accommodate two signings with various jockeys raising funds for and awareness of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys' Fund (PDJF.) Hope to see you at one of these venues on Broadway in Saratoga.
-- Friday, August 10 - Spa FIne Arts Gallery
-- Saturday, August 11 - Soavé Faire
-- Thursday, August 16 - Impressions of Saratoga - with Jockeys for the PDJF
-- Friday, August 17 - Crafters Gallery
-- Saturday, August 18 - Spa Fine Arts Gallery
-- Thursday, August 23 - Impressions of Saratoga - with Jockeys for the PDJF
-- Saturday, August 25 - At the track all day - look for our booth next to the Carousel and the Pizza Truck
We'll be attending the Belmont Child Care Association dinner on Wednesday, August 22. And, of course, we hope to see you on Travers Day at the track.
New location for Travers Day
For those of you planning to visit us at the track on Travers Day, we won't be in our usual location near the Clubhouse and Paddock. Instead, look for us near the Carousel and the Pizza Truck this year.
Bring your friends and stop by to say hello. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon.
Enjoy the season! -
July 26, 2012
A Masterpiece
Amazing work
On one one of the most glorious, perfect, high-sky summer days, we had a visit from a lovely couple who had requested posters to complete their collection. Little did we know that when John and Judy Cocce stepped onto the summer porch, that the truly remarkable Judy would unveil an unbelievable piece of work in homage to my poster series.
The one-of-a-kind, counted-cross stitch, brass-and-leather-trimmed, quilted-gingham lined, "poster" carry bag is simply unbelievable. Stunningly beautiful! As detailed as a Fabergé egg, this gorgeous, detailed work is a faithful reproduction of my work -- done by eye and by hand.
While recuperating for a mandatory year, this talented and delightful horsewoman created a project to pull her through, and this was the outcome -- 325,000 stitches later, the reworking of two bridles into the handle, brass "mud" tacks on a a wooden base for the feet, and her now intimate relationship with the posters. One year and almost a thousand stitches a day. Wow!
If you see Judy this summer, you may be lucky enough to see this marvelous work. We hope she might part with the bag the year of the 30th anniversary of the poster (can't believe it is only three short years away!), to add it to the display, in a glass case, of course.
Judy, you are an inspiration and a your work a creative tour de force. I am deeply honored. -
July 14, 2012
It's here!
The Saratoga Summer Season has arrived!
I will be spending a lot of time doing signings for my wonderful vendors. And many days at the track taking photo source for upcoming posters -- perhaps we'll see you there.
It all kicks off on Thursday, July 19, at 7:00 p.m. with an event at the National Museum of Racing on Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs - www.racingmuseum.org/events/ - as I talk about the genesis for the poster series. The event is free and open to the public.
As of this posting, the schedule of evening appearances on Broadway in Saratoga, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., looks like this:
-- Thursday, July 19 - National Museum of Racing (on Union Avenue)
-- Saturday, July 28 - Crafters Gallery
-- Friday, August 3 - Soavé Faire
-- Saturday August 4 - Impressions of Saratoga
-- Friday, August 10 - Spa Fine Arts Gallery
-- Saturday, August 11 - Soavé Faire
-- Friday, August 17 - Crafters Gallery
-- Saturday, August 18 - Spa Fine Arts Gallery
-- Friday, August 24 - Impressions of Saratoga
We'll also be attending the induction ceremonies for the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame on Friday, August 10, and the Belmont Child Care Association dinner on Wednesday, August 22. And, of course, we hope to see you on Travers Day at the track.
There may be a couple of additions to the schedule, so stay tuned and check back with us.
Bring your friends and stop by to say hello. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon.
Have a great summer! -
June 16, 2012
2012 Travers Poster is here
The 2012 poster artwork, “Morning Bath,” once again showcases the backside of Saratoga Race Course and Horse Haven over on the Oklahoma track. This is where the racers are stabled, trained and cared for.
Thoroughbreds and grooms start their days very early — before dawn. The horses go out for a brief workout or training, after which they are walked or cooled down and bathed. They really seem to love the baths! Feeding, grooming, and shoeing are just a few of the dozens of tasks that these trainers, backstretch workers, and farriers perform throughout the racing day.
This is the 27th in the longest-running series of its kind. The 2012 Travers poster (and the Saratoga version) will be available at selected stores and galleries in Saratoga Springs, NY after Friday, June 22, 2012.
Please watch this web site for schedules of poster and book signings in and around Saratoga. See you at the track!