We recently had the chance to connect with Jeff Montag and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jeff, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
A common misunderstanding about my business is that the years of time, energy, and skill required to reach my current level are often overlooked. I’m continually learning and seeking new tools and techniques to enhance my artistic toolkit. The creative process is a constant journey of discovery. Furthermore, the marketing and social media aspects are often underestimated; it’s not just about creating the artwork, but also about connecting with people and inspiring them to find a meaningful place for my pieces in their homes.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Jeff Montag | The Tattered Brush
Jeff Montag is a quadriplegic artist whose work is a living testament to the power of resilience, reinvention, and creative triumph. Painting without use of his hands, Jeff uses a hand utensil to bring his vision to life—each stroke forged through determination and heart. Under the name The Tattered Brush, he creates deeply personal oil paintings that celebrate the human spirit’s ability to rise above pain, loss, and adversity.
Jeff’s work reflects a past steeped in emotional honesty and raw beauty—drawn from the complex colors of heartache and redemption. Though his latest direction explores themes of tragedy transformed into triumph, his gallery remains anchored in soulful compositions that use light, movement, and color to offer a message of hope. His evolving body of work serves not only as visual storytelling, but also as a personal narrative of overcoming and healing.
Every canvas is more than paint—it’s purpose. Jeff invites viewers into a space where scars become stories and struggle gives way to strength. His art is not just seen, but felt.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
During my junior year of high school, a gymnastics accident left me a quadriplegic after sustaining a spinal cord injury. The ensuing recovery was a transformative period. It opened my eyes to how the world operates with a disability, how people perceive and connect with individuals with disabilities, and the importance of making others feel comfortable. I focused on navigating an able-bodied world successfully. What struck me is that while people often see our experiences as inspirational, they sometimes view us as a source of their own positive feelings, rather than seeing our ability to contribute and assimilate. The disappointment comes when, despite feeling “inspired,” they fail to see our potential to add value and become fully integrated into society. They overlook the crucial step of inclusion and support needed for us to be a part of the societal framework.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
When my accident left me a quadriplegic, my entire world changed in an instant. What I once knew of life was stripped away, and I was forced to face a reality I never imagined. In that darkness, I began to discover something I hadn’t expected: pain and suffering can be the very place where purpose begins to grow.
Through tragedy, there is often a kind of rebirth. We uncover strengths and gifts we never knew existed, and we begin to see life through an entirely different lens. Suffering has a way of softening us and reshaping us, teaching us patience, grace, forgiveness, and acceptance—not only toward others, but also toward ourselves.
I’ve come to believe that true success, the kind that fulfills the soul, cannot exist without struggle. Without suffering, we may achieve things, but we rarely reach the depth of who we were meant to be. My journey has taught me that even in brokenness, there is beauty. Even in loss, there is purpose. And even in the hardest moments, life can still surprise us with meaning.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
I’ve always believed that all of us together are better than just one of us alone. Each person brings something of value—our talents, abilities, experiences, and even the different ways we see the world all play a role in making life fuller. Without those differences, the world would feel flat and uninspiring. It’s the uniqueness of each individual that creates energy, opens doors, and moves us forward. To me, those differences don’t just drive progress—they also bring joy, color, and meaning to life.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I aspire to be remembered for consistently bringing out the best in others, whether through my career or my artwork. Professionally, I established therapy clinics to aid individuals in their recovery and enhance their well-being. As a career coach, I dedicated myself to helping candidates secure new roles and confidently embark on their next chapters. As an artist, my intention is for viewers to perceive my work through my perspective, understanding the narrative behind each piece, and find healing, comfort, and peace within its expression.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thetatteredbrush.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetatteredbrush1/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffmontag/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeff.montag.9/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@tattered.brush
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
