In celebration of the start of the 2020 Saratoga Racing Season, we would like to explore the work of local artist Greg Montgomery, a pillar of both the local Art and Horse Racing communities.

If you live locally to Saratoga Springs, NY or find yourself visiting often especially during Track season, you surely have been exposed to the artwork of Greg Montgomery. His work is iconic, instantly recognizable and internationally awarded. Montgomery’s series of posters for the Travers Stakes race in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. is the longest running series by a single artist for a single event in sports history.

Whether you’ve collected the Travers Stakes Posters each year or own one of the books that feature’s Montgomery’s works, it’s hard to deny the impact his work has had on the community. Read below to see our interview with Greg Montgomery himself, and to view his collection of posters and fine art prints sold exclusively through Spa Fine Art!

How did you get started with your style of art?

I have loved poster art since I was a child. Its bold, rich colors and hard edges appealed to me. I particularly love the British Railway Art of the 1920s, ‘30s, and ‘40s.

In art classes I was introduced to Color-aid papers - a package of more than 200 incredibly rich, velvety colors on pieces of paper. I would cut various shapes and glue the pieces to create scenes with hard edges and intense colors.

It occurred to me that I could use the screen printing process to create similar images - solid colors, hard edges- and I would be able to create more than the one single cut-paper copy.

It was while I was taking a college screen printing course that I created my first poster.

Can you tell us about the process of making your work?

It all begins with taking photos of some scene or person. There will be something about how the scene or person is framed, how the light sets elements off, and how balanced or unbalanced the scene is that appeals to me.

Then I need to compose the scene to bring the viewer into the picture frame, move the eye to the object of interest, and create a path back out of the scene.

People ask if I draw from a photograph. Almost always I am drawing from a scene that I have constructed out of many different photos. “Winner’s Circle”, the 2011 Travers poster art was drawn from a photomontage of nine different images. Even “Pink Hat,” the fine art edition print featuring a stylish lady in a Saratoga box seat as seen from above, was an assembled image.

My art is about reducing images to simple, bold shapes. The process of the reduction is the hard work.

How does the Saratoga and Horse Racing Communities inspire your work?

There are very good reasons why people have flocked to Saratoga for hundreds of years - and probably more. There is nowhere quite like it.

I love that the best race horses on earth, the most gifted trainers, jockeys, grooms, and their families all come to Saratoga each year - and remarkable people from all over the globe come here to see them. I am fascinated by, and so grateful for, the exotic world that comes to visit us every summer. It is not just the world-class racing that interests me artistically, it’s the entire social sporting fashion scene. It’s amazing.

Do you have any favorite Travers Posters that you have done?

Actually, I have different favorites for different reasons.

- From a pure iconic, bold, simple, and memorable image, I have to say the the original Travers Silks is still my favorite.

- I also love the 2001 jockey graphic so close up that he or she is almost out of the frame!

- I love 2010 “Roommates” for the way all three horses are intently watch the veteran groom make lunch!!

- 2003 “First Race” is the best table, on the best day.

- For Special Event poster I love 2005 “Stormbird.” If you were there, you’ll never forget that storm.

- Finally, the poster that’s on my wall where I can see it everyday is the 2016 “August Light.” I drew it in homage to one of my artistic idols Bernie Fuchs (pronounces “fewks”). I love the depth, the shadows on the tent, the light in the trees, and the warm glow of summer in the world’s best paddock.

These poster are a bit like children. You love them all, for different reasons!

1986 Travers Poster "The Silks"

2001 Travers Poster "Driving Home"

2003 Travers Poster "First Race"

2005 Travers Poster "Stormbird"

2010 Travers Poster "Roommates"

2016 Travers Poster "August Light"

How do you expect this year’s events to impact next year’s poster?

Not sure! But I am fascinated by the truly unique situation this year presents. We will look for an image that says “indomitable spirit.” If the stands are empty, maybe the fence line is full!

It will be fun to find just the right image to remember the best parts of a challenging year.

What was the most memorable race you have attended at Saratoga Race Course?

That would have to be 2004, the great summer thunderstorm that closed the racetrack! We had a booth selling postersoutside the Clubhouse in those days. Within minutes Paula, my partner and wife, had 18” of water underfoot. The rain was sideways. Even our plastic-laminated displays were ruined! It was truly pandemonium!! Unforgettable.

What is your favorite part about being a working artist?

Thank you for this question!

There isn’t a day that goes by that I am not grateful for having been given a gift like art. I spend hundreds of hours working on these images and I can’t wait to get back to them.

I’m able to work in concert with my wife Paula. In art we have the vehicle with which to express the beauty we see, meet fascinating people along the way, and enjoy some income to make it all possible. I also LOVE the fact that as I get older I actually get better at this! My friends who are roofers have to retire when their knees do. Not me!! It is such a miraculous gift.

What do you like to do for fun when you are not making art?

It used to be traveling!! I’ve been enormously fortunate to have seen much of the world. Hope to get back to that when we can. Meanwhile, I love the garden and sailIng.