Victoria Montesinos is the only
daughter of the well-known Mexican movie director, Fernando A. Rivero, and Maty
Humana. When barely three years old, Victoria was sent to live with her
grandparents. In Victoria's own words: "My grandmother was of the old school.
Her philosophy was that children should be disciplined, seen and not heard, only
speak when spoken to and to sit absolutely quiet when in the company of adults.
Childish fun and games were restricted because of grandmother's serious
temperament. Montesinos had few opportunities to see her parents. Her mother
traveled a lot and her father was always busy. Victoria's childhood was spent in
a large house in the Juarez neighborhood that dated from the era of Porfirio
Diaz: She recalls, "I became accustomed to enjoying my own world. At school it
wasn't easy for me to fit in with the other children, so I took advantage of my
isolation to draw. Drawing was an escape from my problems and it was highly
rewarding for me.
On one occasion, Victoria Montesinos' father notice her being very self-absorbed
while drawing and posed the question to her; "Would you like to paint
seriously?" Of course Victoria jumped at the chance. The opportunity to paint
was provided by a friend of her fathers, Jose Bardasano, the great Spanish
painter who had arrived in Mexico as a refugee from the Spanish Civil War.
Bardasano had recently opened a painting academy in Mexico and Victoria started
attending the school at the tender age of twelve. She studied with Bardasano for
five years. "Bardasano's high demands did not bother me because when I drew, I
disconnected myself from everything and it was a delight. "
"Since childhood, I have been uninterested in conventional life, and have felt
that there must be a higher reason for the way things are. I thought life was
boring until I understood that giving life more meaning depended on me." At that
time, Victoria Montesinos chose a difficult path; she decided to paint with
total integrity: without submitting herself to the judgment of the market or a
particular style, or to the expectations of others.
In late 1983, Montesinos moved to New York to work with one of the largest
galleries in the United States developing lithographic works. She studied a
complicated technique to produce very high-quality lithographs. Victoria's
knowledge and sensitivity enabled her to produce highly unique pieces, and all
of her editions sold out almost immediately.
During that period, Victoria Montesinos' talent became widely recognized in the
US. In addition to a large number of lithographic editions, she sold
approximately three hundred original paintings. However, in spite of her
success, Victoria decided to return to Mexico when the recession of the late
1980's began to affect the United States art market. She worked ardently in her
homeland and developed an outstanding new style. Through her oil paintings and
serigraphs on textiles she gained fame and recognition.
In the mid-1990's, Victoria Montesinos signed new contracts to work with various
galleries in the United States. She returned to New York with the intentions of
painting flowers. "I decided to make flowers my only focus of attention," said
Montesinos from her Manhattan studio. "I really wanted to explore and go inside
their world, find all the textures, layers and passages of just one flower. They
are all small universes. I feel captured by their beauty. Flowers are an
incredible way for nature to show the infinity of existing colors." Montesinos
executed her idea brilliantly through her magnificent brush, great skill, and
abundant creative passion.
