The Inspiration of Artist Roberto Gil de Monte
Tara A. Spears
It’s exciting to end the series on the art community of Jaltemba Bay with a tribute to resident professional artist, Roberto Gil de Monte. He has prodigious talent and vision yet retains a genuine altruism and love of life. Professional artist/ teacher/ entrepreneur/ social activist/ friend: the complexity of the man permeates his artistic subject matter. Although he was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Roberto splits his time between Los Angeles, California, which is a mecca for artsy sophistication, and the natural beauty, slower pace, of Jaltemba Bay, Nayarit.
Roberto is an internationally acclaimed artist whose paintings are displayed in prestigious museums and galleries. His connection with the art world led to breathtaking art exhibits that were featured regularly in the upstairs art gallery of the La Penita Xaltemba Restaurant. (now Rosarios) Roberto co-owns El Rodeo and Rincon de Guayabitos restaurants in downtown Guayabitos. His long-time partner, Eddie Dominguez, also from LA, is a formidable talent in his own right. Roberto continues to encourage local artists by using the venues for art exhibits.
What most visitors to the area might not know is that much of the appeal and living quality that exists in La Penita/Guayabitos is a result of the efforts of Eddie Dominguez and Roberto Gil de Montes. They had vacationed here for more than 20 years before committing to the community by purchasing a house. “It was such a small, sleepy village. But with trash everywhere, street animals fighting over garbage, it detracted from the gorgeous natural surroundings,” said Eddie. “We knew it was not that the local people didn’t care but that the residents didn’t know another way.” 
The duo made a point of dialoguing with town residents and other expats that were moving to Jaltemba Bay. It was through the gentle suggestion of Eddie and Roberto that civic groups were formed to address some of the negative issues. Utilizing Eddie’s management expertise, Amigos La Penita service organization was instigated. The group initiated the plastic recycling project, regular beach trash cleanup, and scholarships to the vocational high school, Conalep. In addition, Roberto and Eddie were instrumental in bringing Rotary International to Jaltemba Bay. “The biggest hurtle was overcoming the different languages of the participants,” recalled Roberto. “We overcame that by providing bilingual meetings.”
The impact of Roberto’s art is timeless. Although he uses several mediums for his work from photography to water color to oil, the majority of his art is in oil paint. According to the 2014 cultura colectiva review “Among many other solo and group exhibitions, Gil de Montes was included in the prestigious Hispanic Art in the US: Thirty Contemporary Painters and Sculptors which toured the country in the late 1980s. Many themes are found in Gil de Montes’ work—his Mexican origins, his life in Echo Park, Mexican popular art, the tradition of retablos and ex-voto paintings, and the unexpected.” Perhaps it is the dreamlike quality of the paintings that intrigue the viewer or the vibrant use of color that draws you in. For many it’s the inclusion of Mexican folklore symbolism that sets the compositions apart as illustrated in the following two different beach scenes.
While most people don’t have the vernacular to identify particular artistic styles, sometimes knowing the elements of a type of painting enhances one’s appreciation. For the artistically unsavvy viewer might think, “It looks so simplistic” but if they know the point of surrealistic style painting it enriches the work with implied meaning. “Surrealism doesn’t aim to subvert realism as does the fantastic, nor does it try to transcend it. Surrealism looks for a different means by which to explore reality itself.” (Michael Richardson) Consider this concept and look at the beach scenes again. The paintings capture that moment between relaxing in nature and letting go of all the hubris in our mind….
Roberto considers the pinnacle of his life to be the joy of teaching art and mentoring aspiring artists. Yes, being selected to exhibit in the prestigious Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Museo de las Artes en Guadalajara and being selected for recognized art galleries such as Lora Schlesinger Gallery in California are career high points for Roberto. But he is most proud of encouraging others to follow their dream as he did. It is Roberto’s encouragement that nurtured the Guayabitos Artist Collective and many individuals in the artistic community. Roberto leads by example, graciously sharing his artistic experience. To those he mentors Roberto has a tremendous impact for generations to come.
In a Huff Post article the art critic stated “Gazing upon his artworks feels like traveling through time, unearthing Pre-Columbian symbols and painted allusions without a singular guide to navigate the journey… the sense of mystical possibility lingers.” The simple is not just what it seems for such is the power of art.
It takes courage to create art, especially art that reflects one’s life and social experiences.
Living in the turbulent 1970s-2000s is fraught with social upheaval and political strife that influenced all of the art of this period. For those of us that lived without instant communication or social media, art mirrors the struggle to keep up with the technological changes as we long for a simpler time.
For many it is the abstract and colorful shapes of Roberto’s artwork that captures the imagination. While art is unquestionably one of the purest and highest elements in human happiness, for the people of Jaltemba Bay, Mexico it is the strong but gentle nature of the complex man that will be remembered most. Professional artist/ teacher/ entrepreneur/ social activist/ friend/ mentor: Roberto Gil enriches many lives.
