Crystal Montgomery makes sure her art pops out. Her unique three-dimensional style isn’t boxed in by a canvas. The textures, materials and boisterous characteristics that reach beyond the original frame are a metaphor for her life.
Montgomery worked nights while raising three children after her divorce. She went to school for cosmetology and worked in various manufacturing jobs while doing art on the weekends. She cites her moments spent with art as the keeper of her sanity and health.
Now, she is able to show off her artistic abilities with her full-time business, Nickie’s Uniques.
Artistic origins
Growing up in a family of creatives, Montgomery has always been an artist.
Her father was a stained-glass maker, mother a seamstress and grandmother a quilter. As a kid, she played the cello and sold her first art at 11 years old, when she took fallen telephone wire and split the casing, which would unveil colorful wire that she made bracelets from.
As a mother, she emphasized art to her kids.
“She’s always been creative and encouraged me and my brothers to be creative as well,” said her daughter, Isabella Montgomery, who works as a graphic designer in Milwaukee.
For much of her adult life, Crystal Montgomery created art through various freelance projects like painting pots and designing T-shirts.
As her art increasingly progressed into canvases and unique clothes, she asked herself, “Am I really an artist?” Spurred by this question, she enrolled in an art program at Milwaukee Area Technical College last year.
Safe to say, she found her answer.
“I am an artist, and the challenge was just to create something different,” Montgomery said.
Breaking barriers
Montgomery, a Milwaukee native, has made a name for herself through her subject’s three-dimensional hair, which exits the frame. Her daughter says her use of black figures, recycled denim and vibrant colors speaks volumes to viewers.
“She is really using her art as a tool for expressing herself and reflecting the culture she loves,” Isabella Montgomery said.
Angelique Sharpe met Crystal Montgomery when Sharpe was the program manager of the Black Business Boost Program. The program helped Montgomery launch her first art exhibit last year.
Sharpe was blown away by her artistic talent. She purchased one of Montgomery’s pieces at first sight, even with no prior intent of doing so.
“I just couldn’t let it go,” said Sharpe, who still describes the piece as “the most beautiful denim man.”
Sharpe, who nominated Montgomery to be a part of the Milwaukee’s Culture Makers series, continues to glow about her unique art. “I think she’s amazing,” Sharpe said.
Why denim?
Crystal Montgomery, who has a local denim supplier that gives her first dibs on recycled clothing, said she chooses the fabric because of the story it tells.
“It’s universal; it’s resilient,” she said.
Used by workers or as fashion statements, she sees denim not just for its material – but also for the many stories and lives it has witnessed.
“It’s a story in itself, it came from something, from somebody,” Montgomery said.
To Montgomery, everything is an inspiration, though the ideas don’t arrive immediately. They come to her when the time is right.
Once, when looking for pieces to work with in a store, a woman asked, “What is that?” Montgomery responded, “I don’t know, but I find it quite interesting. It called me, so I have to take it with me because later it’s going to be something.”
Flowing beyond the frame
Montgomery constantly challenges herself to think outside the box. From denim bags to homemade dolls, her art spans beyond the canvas in many ways.
Her newest homemade dolls are her favorite pieces in the collection.
Through it all, Montgomery says she lets her creativity speak for itself.
“I always think that I can do it; because why not,” she said.
She has found consistent inspiration in the local art scene.
“I love going to the events and night markets because everything is an inspiration,” Montgomery said.
Isabella Montogmery echoes her mother’s message.
“We have to pour into our community so they continue to thrive,” she said.
In the coming years, Crystal Montgomery wants to continue to be an active participant in the community where she can inspire the next generation of artists.
“I want to share, too, I feel I have something to share,” she said.
Although Nickie’s Uniques is still growing, Crystal Montgomery already has a superfan.
In her daughter’s house, a Nickie’s Uniques piece hangs in every room.
“She is one of the most talented people I’ve ever known,” Isabella Montgomery said.
Like her art that goes beyond the canvas, Crystal Montgomery sees no limit in art.
“There is no right or wrong way in art, that’s why it’s art and that’s why it’s so wonderful.”
Montgomery and her business, “Nickie’s Uniques” will be featured at Bronzeville Week, and you can also see a wide variety of her pieces on her website.
Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.
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