Billy Montella Jr. is from a notable family of New England artists. His father was known as a designer of fine jewelry for trade and the motion picture industry. The artists trait ran through generations of the family; grandfather, uncles, and cousins. The most notable of which are the historically important painter/jeweler, designer/text book author Antonio Cirino and the sculptor Arstide Cianfarani. Montella Jr. holds art degrees from the Rhode Island School of Design and Union College. His painted works are done in plein aire, whereas his sculptures are done in his studio from either a live model or anatomical studies.