Hunting & Painting Actually Go Together

The Glory of Winter

Why Southwest Art Magazine Took Interest in an American Impressionist Artist from Arkansas

Moonstruck

Some extraordinary and inspired artists set up outside in a smock and sit comfortably in the shade for a peaceful afternoon of painting plein air. While this method is great for some, Patrick Matthews does things a bit differently and perhaps that’s why Southwest Art Magazine is drawn to him. Pat is known to load up his four-wheeler with a big yard umbrella and buckets full of gear, head up to the woods, and “get after it,” as he says. “I’ll set up in the woods and paint and I might set my shotgun next to me.”

Once Pat was out on a hunting trip with his buddies and he took off to paint  for a bit. While painting and with his shotgun by his side, a bunch of turkeys wandered in front of him – It was Turkey season, so naturally, he shot one for  Thanksgiving dinner.  

            For Pat, the painting process is not a ginger or delicate one. He just throws the color on the canvas and often uses a whole tube of paint with each hue. When he’s painting, he’s hunting for beauty, searching for a certain color or image that inspires his artistic process.

He jokingly explains, “You have to paint like you’re a millionaire.” He makes his brush strokes direct and says, “You just do it and leave it alone.” He squirts the vibrant colors out using caulking tubes and manipulates the medium with both hands. For Pat, painting is similar to sculpting and he’s exhausted at the end of the day. If he’s working in the studio, he’s probably listening to Hard Rock, Country or maybe James Taylor, but that’s about as subdued as the tunes get.

Reflective Compliments

Pat’s nonconformist method is likely at least part of what drew Southwest Art Magazine to him. He was interviewed in 2006 as one of the “10 Artists to Watch.” Southwest Art Magazine is the premier printed publication for fine art in and of the American West, so the feature was quite an accomplishment.

Now, seven years later, SWA has reconnected with Pat for a second interview. This time, he will be a featured artist in the “Where Are They Now?” portfolio of the October 2013 issue, which will be available in September.

Look out for the issue and stay tuned for Pat’s answers to questions like: “How has your artwork changed since you were named an ‘Artist to Watch’?”, “What are your goals for the future?” and “What has been the biggest turning point in your career?” As always, Pat’s inimitable personality and energy comes through in this first-person account of his journey as an artist.

Mountain Magic