"I don't do art just because I have a class assignment. I do it because it flows out of me; it's an emotional release. I like exploring different styles of art, such as realism, anime, and Illustration. The characters I draw (usually with Sharpies) reflect the environment I live in. There's the jewelry, clothes like people in my neighborhood wear, and references to violence, alcohol, and drug use---mostly marijuana. You see the red haze in the eyes of the character in front? He's under the influence and doesn't realize that the guy behind him is plotting to kill him. He doesn't even notice it. We'd say he's 'slipping', or not paying attention. That's how it happens around here. People die if they're not paying attention to what's going on around them. I hope that when people see my work, they understand the message and what I'm trying to say."
Detail of the piece above:
Futuristic work:
Montrell's piece on racial profiling and how the media affects youth culture placed in the Mid-South Fair. After his May 2016 graduation, Montrell plans to attend art school. He is also very interested in music.