Color of the blues

It’s no secret that Anthony Montanino loves the blues. He’s in a blues band, he listens to the blues while he works, and he often paints images of blues bands. Montanino’s paintings of musicians fit the music, and vice versa. Even though he tries to get every piece of his paintings to work and spends a good deal of time with them, they still have a quick, on-the-spot feel that ends up reminiscent of a snapshot, or even a lively courtroom sketch. Although Montanino exhibits in a lot of galleries around town, it seems fitting that he should show his paintings at a blues bar. It’s a match that we don’t see often—a good painter exhibiting paintings to the people who understand his subject more intimately than would a traditional gallery crowd. Until July 12, Montanino’s paintings will be on display at the Torch Club, 904 15th Street.