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Meet Gen Montreuil

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Gen Montreuil.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
For as long as I can remember I loved to draw and paint. Twenty-five years ago, I decided to put my artistic talents to work as a hairstylist and make-up artist in Yorkville Ontario, Canada. I had a decent 15-year long career in that city where I worked at the now closed Oz Salon, doing commercial work for tv and films as well as editorials, eventually becoming the artistic director of the salon. The culmination of my career being a gig doing hair for the Oscars in California for the hosts of ETalk Daily in 2007.

I then opened a small studio and began skydiving. I am not sure if the call of the sky ended my desire to succeed in hair or if the artwork I envisioned through my participation in the sport was just too strong to be ignored. Either way my small studio closed in 2010 and I decided to follow my dreams of painting and skydiving. I packed up my art supplies on my back with a tent and followed the women’s vertical record camps all around the US painting and skydiving. Eventually ending up in Eloy Arizona where they did the women’s record jumps. Here I met my husband and after a whirlwind romance, moved permanently to Skydive Arizona.

My artwork has always enjoyed a small degree of success. Published in skydiving magazines and purchased by skydivers. I However, was thirsty to learn more about the language of art and the practice. So, while I was awaiting my work permit here in the US, I went to Central Arizona College where I graduated with a degree in Fine Arts with Honors. I have since transferred to ASU where I am currently pursuing concurrent BFA degrees in Intermedia and painting as well as an honors degree through Barrett the Honors College. I will graduate in December of 2019.
I am a multi-disciplinary artist who produces ethnographic images, 3D virtual installations, and video focusing on skydiving, and the culture within the sport. Much of my work discusses the validity of skydiving as an actual sport, as well as highlighting the challenges, often from a women’s perspective. US I went to Central Arizona College where I graduated with a degree in Fine Arts with Honors. I have since transferred to ASU where I am currently pursuing concurrent BFA degrees in Intermedia and painting as well as an honors degree through Barrett the Honors College. I will graduate in December of 2019.

Please tell us about your art.
I am a multi-disciplinary artist who produces ethnographic images, 3D virtual installations, and video focusing on skydiving, and the culture within the sport. Much of my work discusses the validity of skydiving as an actual sport, as well as highlighting the challenges, often from a women’s perspective. As a futurist, I often focus on the intersection of the world-wide skydiving community and the internet. Specifically interested in virtual environments that connect the community across continents. My cubist paintings are an offshoot of this fascination. Almost digitally abstracting human forms into simpler shapes that almost become digital in their representation.

What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
Art has undergone a period of high commercialization within the last 50 or so years. With the information highway hungry for images and videos the decentralizing of these crafts has lowered the respect of those who undergo serious artistic rigor in order to produce work. People think you should be selling something or sponsored by someone or have a lot of likes to actually be taken seriously. It has been my experience that the work that is most profound, stands on its own. It is not there to be sold or to sell, it is there to speak.

Within the arts community the term artist activist has become prominent. this is where art and community intersect. This is powerful practice and can bring about significant change. So, I believe artists should be heard and appreciated for their ideas without the attachment of commercialization or social network popularity. Attending exhibits, participating in arts activities within the community and deeply considering what artists are discussing is important. We take the pulse of our community and reflect what we see, and sometimes suggest change. Sometimes it is the product to be contemplated at others it is the process itself. I believe that a community can be supported by an artist when it pays attention and listens to what the artist is trying to say. So, I guess it really isn’t what a community can do for its artists, it’s what artists can do for the community, if they pay attention.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Website: www.genreinc.com
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/flyinchicken
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChWZvkCzdudlo6y75WpbVcg?view_as=public
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genre.inc/

My paintings are being printed on active wear that we are selling on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GWearLeggings/ as well as at Square2 at Skydive Arizona. I also have a lot of work on display at Skydive Arizona, including an 800 sq. ft painting. I will be exhibiting in the ASU galleries over the next year and a half while finishing my degrees. Information will be posted on my website.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Blocksmiths XPress
Alden Atler
Emily Quinn
Skydive Arizona
Becky Johns
Beth Bryan
Bekie Thompson
Lindsay Walton
Julie Kleinwort
LeAnne Schwab
Terry Schumacher
Amanda Kubik
Erin Orwig
Lori Kraemer Clark
Lori Bausch.

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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