Bio:
Noelia Montaner was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Miami, by her Dominican mother. Her mother was a seamstress and her Cuban godmother was too. She grew up in an environment where she saw women create with their hands, bringing something out of nothing. She spent her summers growing up, traveling to the islands of Puerto Rico & the Dominican Republic. At the age of 17, she became a mother. Through that experience, she learned the meaning of perseverance and resiliency. When others said she couldn’t she pushed through the noise.
Noelia went on to have a successful career in education, first as a teacher and then as a school administrator. She had a strong mission to work in underserved communities and mentor mothers and families who were struggling, using her past experiences to motivate others.
And then in 2017, she began painting. The artistic spark that had been quenched when she was younger because of life responsibilities reignited and she hasn’t put her brush down since. Her faith in God and His manifestation in her life through all the ups and downs are a constant source of inspiration and renewal for her. Noelia now lives in Homestead with her family.
Artist Statement:
I am a Puerto Rican/Dominican visual artist. I create figurative art that depicts nostalgia and family life. Being an educator for most of my life, I like to create visual stories. My favorite thing to paint is people. I use a combination of new photos and old photos to create my compositions. I paint in watercolor, acrylic, and oil depending on what I want to express. I create because I am a storyteller and I can share stories that other people can relate to through my art.
For more information please visit my website: www.noeliamontanerart.com