A painting is like a movie with one frame. It’s a book with one page. One moment. There is part of the story leading up to that singular moment and part of the story following it. The art of painting is knowing how to compose the frame and tell the story.
Like a good cinematographer, a good artist understands how to compose within rectangular framework. A great composition is a careful design of shapes, tonal values and color temperatures. Like a good novel, a good painting connects with us at a visceral level. We identify with people in the work. We connect with artist’s choices of scenery. How it feels to be in that scene. To see what the artist was feeling to capture that moment.
I found a quote from Herbie Hancock, who said, “Jazz is about being in the moment.” Painting is that way too. You have to develop a complete competence with your brushes, then just get out of the way of the process. You have to be completely present in the moment.
This is why great paintings speak to us. We get a glimpse of the moment the artist was present in and why that moment was meaningful. It’s easy to see how much Monet loved his Giverny garden. He was at peace there. We can feel Monet’s love for being there in each moment he decided to paint.
That’s what my paintings are for me – individual moments I felt something about the way a scene looked. Sometimes it’s about the quality of the light. It’s often about how the shapes of objects create an interesting design. But, it’s always about a reason I paused to capture one frame in the movie. Why I decided to be completely present in that moment.
Take a look at my collection of captured moments. Perhaps you will find something that makes you pause to be absolutely present. I have original oils on canvas and fine art prints on archival paper, canvas, acrylic, metal and wood. I am also available for painting commissions.
-Matt