About the Art

Some of my work is made using photographic references from my own collection. Some of it is inspired by pictures or videos I've watched, scenes I've witnessed in person, and the emotions I have connected to the events. All of my work is a meager attempt to communicate what existence means to me through my relationship with the weather. Think of each piece as a snapshot of how I experience life on this planet under a mysterious sky. All of my hopes, dreams, fears, everything I've touched and seen, go into my paintings. Each piece is a small representative symbol of who I am.

I'm a self-taught painter, and my priority is establishing an authentic relationship with you. I don't spend much time thinking about a certain technique or method. I paint how and what comes naturally to me. There are general oil painting 'best practices' I follow, but for the most part I'm not interested in my work fitting in a descriptive category, or being defined by a particular style. When I was young, I think around 10-12, I remember hearing Bob Ross say "The canvas will take what it wants" (referring to paint), and he was exactly right. I experience this now although I have to expand on the idea slightly. My experience has become; What goes on the canvas is precisely what is supposed to be there. In order to be more precise in my work I had to learn to become more free.

I suppose that's a good distillation of the 'how and why' in my creative process. Freedom. I just paint what's supposed to be there. There is an ineffable aspect to my process, that is certain. I'm compelled to create for reasons I don't quite understand, with a talent I am not entirely responsible for. It's an adventure that I wasn't expecting and reluctant to undertake. But, without adventure, what is life?

I'm a reluctant 'artist'. At the end of the day, I'm just a regular guy from the Kansas City area who paints. While there are certain techniques and unwritten guidelines for certain specific mediums, I'm suspicious of anyone who promotes hard and fast rules. What is or isn't art is a subjective opinion relegated to academics and intellectuals, and I can't be bothered with it. I don't paint for them. I paint for myself, and anyone who finds meaning in my work - whatever that meaning may be.

I hope it means as much to you as it does to me.

Matt