Monte was mainly a self-taught artist whose hobby eventually turned into his life's passion. He began his watercolor career in 1988 at the age of forty. After first serving in Vietnam as a decorated infantryman in the US Army, Monte later left a business career in middle management. Being prolific right from the start, Monte was soon painting all week long, just to compile enough inventory so he'd have plenty to sell on the weekends at the local farmer's market. With his bold, loose, wet-in-wet approach and reasonable prices, most of his vibrantly colored paintings didn't have a chance to get old on the rack. Always the student, Monte studied in depth the writings and teachings of Edgar A.Whitney, Rex Brandt, Kirt Wirth, Margaret Malcolm, Irving Shapiro and Zolton Zabo. He took workshops with Tom Lynch, Tony Couch and M. Shaughnessy. By 1999 he had became a lifetime member of the National Registry of Who's Who.

The California artist won numerous awards over the years and had a great following at his shows in Saratago, Berryessa, Walnut Creek, Moraga, Los Altos, Fremont, Sunnyvale, Los Gatos, Santa Clara, Milpitas and San Jose. Monte held many workshops and often demonstrated for clubs and schools. His sense of humor and ease in front of his audiences coupled with never ending encouragement to his students made him a much sought-after guest speaker and instructor.

"My watercolors are designed to invite the viewer to add his own final touch to the painting through his thoughts, dreams and imagination."; Monte often stated.