Hello my name is Adrian Montoya, I craft retablo’s. I was drawn to the art form of retablo’s by my Faith and Church. When I paint the retablos I speak to the Saints I am creating to ask them for guidance. Each piece is unique and comes from my heart.

I began making retablos in 1999, it was a mother’s day present for my grandmother; I had completed a Santo Nino de Atocha her patron saint. I had started my journey by learning the art from two Santero’s from my home town of Las Vegas, NM, Cruz Flores and Margarito R. Mondragon. Both Mr. Mondragon and Mr. Flores took time to teach and show me the history of a Santero and the traditional material’s that are used to make the retablo’s. I learned how to make the traditional gesso, which is made with gypsum and animal hide glue. I learned the use of natural pigments and how to make homemade varnish and beeswax to seal the beautiful art I created. As I progressed in my art I discovered a venue that could show and sell my pieces. I applied to the Traditional Spanish Market in Santa Fe for the first time in 2000. Unfortunately I was denied entry, but I continued to grow and also continued sending in the application yearly. I was determined to be in the market. I felt if I could enter the market I was giving appreciation to my teachers and showing my love for the art and history of a Santero. In 2011 I was fortunate enough to meet up with Ms. Arlene Cisneros, from Santa Fe and Joey Armijo from El Valle de Arroyo Seco. They provided with me many pointers, Ms. Cisneros was instrumental in showing me new painting techniques and Mr. Armjio helped me hone in my craving skills in his studio. With the help of my teachers who laid the foundation, the friendship and guidance I received from Arlene and Joey, and my love for the art I was finally accepted to the Traditional Spanish Market in Santa Fe in 2013 and hope to be a lifelong exhibitor.

I continue to make retablos and hope to one day carry on the traditions with my own children.

In 2014 I begin to teach my niece Annalisa Encinias. Annalisa became an award winning youth artist that was showing in the Traditional Spanish Market for retablos. Annalisa has now aged out of the youth section of the Spanish Market.

In 2015 I began to teach my daughter Mya Montoya who also became an award winning youth artist in the Traditional Spanish Market for retablos and hide paintings.

I started to expand my love for the Traditional Art and began to teach myself about hide paintings. There are three traditional hides that are used, Deer, Elk and Buffalo.

Thank you for viewing my art...

Shows

La Fiesta de Colores Grants, NM

Sacred Heart Santero Market Gallup NM

Devotional Art Show Las Vegas, NM Highlands University

Santero Market at the San Felipe Church Albuquerque, NM

Traditional Winter Spanish Market Albuquerque, NM

Casa San Isidro Spring and Fall Festival Corrales, NM

Traditional Spanish Market Santa Fe, NM

Awards:

2011 & 2013 Honorable Mentions NM State Fair

2017 3rd Place NM State Fair