Francisco Javier Ballester Guillén, better known as Javier Montesol, was born in Barcelona, Spain in 1952.
Montesol studied Economics at the University in Barcelona at his parents’ request, but later abandoned that career to pursue his true passion – art. He became part of Barcelona’s cultural life in the 1970s, founding several political magazines and becoming a broadcaster. He published political and cultural comic books, and was forced into exile in Ibiza because of these publications, which spoke out against the repressions of dictatorship.
In the 1980s, Señor Montesol became interested in painting. He settled in France with his wife and four young children in the 1990s, devoting himself exclusively to painting. Montesol and his family returned to Spain in 1999, and now lives in our Sister City, Villanueva de la Cañada.
Montesol is best known for his iconic paintings of Spanish dancers and depictions of Spanish culture. His work is included in numerous international collections, including Madrid’s Prado Museum, Museo Reina Sophia, The National Museum of Barcelona, the collection of the Mercedes-Benz Foundation and in other private collections around the world.
When Mayor Keith Eich, Mayor Pro Tem Rick Gunter and a delegation of City Council members, former LCF Mayors, community members, students and teachers went to Spain this past summer, they had the pleasure to tour an exquisite art exhibit by Señor Montesol. During that visit, they were charmed by Montesol, his talent, and his life story. The delegation wanted our entire community to get to know Señor Montesol and to experience the joy of his artistic talents. We started to formulate a plan to get him to come and share his talents with California.
In Fall 2022, La Cañada Flintridge Sister Cities hosted Montesol and introduced him to the unique people and culture of Southern California. This was Montesol’s first visit to the western United States. Our plan was to have Señor Montesol gain inspiration and to paint scenes of his impressions and experiences around Southern California . . . to see California through Spanish eyes.*
Thus, was born Miradas: Exchanging Glances
*In addition to the Miradas art exhibit and sale at Descanso, Javier Montesol has been collaborating with 14 La Cañada High School art students on a mural to be painted LIVE in the LCHS courtyard on April 27th. This “performance art” will be similar to an event commissioned by the National Museum of Catalonia in Barcelona in 2019. Montesol has most graciously donated his time and talent to mentoring these LCHS art students over the past semester. This incredible piece of art will become a community treasure, a cultural gift and testament to the power of friendship and partnership through Sister Cities.