30 x 25cm, acrylic on canvas
My small canvas studies base on the monochrome illustrations in Cesar Ripa’s iconologia continue. These are learning aids in a way, embedding postures, fabric folds and symbolic elements in my muscle memory to enhance my improvised drawings.
I recently remembered that I had a Saatchi Art account (from 2012!) and logged back in For the first time in years.
There was only one image there, a large Titian inspired montage that has long since been sold, but Im thinking of listing more paintings there in the future.
Allegory of Fidelity, acrylic on canvas, 30 x 25cm.
the main composition is borrowed from the moral emblem in Ripa’s Iconologia.
Allegory of The Beginning, acrylic on canvas 30 x 25cm
main pose of the figure and symbolic element of the letter and small man in the creators hand borrowed from the Iconologia.
Lying with the dogs, 2022
Last year I painted “Lying with the dogs” an allegorical image relating to the phrase “if you lie with dogs, you get up with fleas”.
my character is happy in the companionship of his canine friends, and cares not for the judgement of others, represented by the form of a spying cat in the border.
This painting is available with a number of small experimental studies on eBay here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394560071714
During my MA studies (Grays School of Art, 2019-2021) I was fortunate to receive a an award from the Royal Scottish Academy to spend time studying in Florence.
I took the opportunity to visit this autumn, and was in my element visiting chapels particularly to investigate the fresco’s of Giotto, Daddi, Gaddi, Masaccio and their workshops. Opened up a way forward to develop my methods of narrative drawing.
A highlight for me was the Palazzo Vecchio, which I visited a couple of times to admire the murals.
I will of course add some photos of my time there, and the outcomes, but for now here are so images of my journey from Elgin to Florence: Train from Elgin to Aberdeen- Bus from Aberdeen to Edinburgh bus station- arrive around 1am- start walking from Edinburgh bus station towards the airport- walk past Haymarket and Murrayfield- walk a few miles and give to wait for a bus, sweating through my hoodie and jacket- bus to airport, try to doze sitting against wall- early flight, self conscious about sweaty ness from big walk, fly to London, couple hours wait, eat a burger- fly to Florence, even more self conscious of sweaty stinkiness and regretting not just getting a bus to Edinburgh airport in the first place- arrive in Florence, tired but happy.
Over the past week Or so I’ve been making small studies after Rubens and Titian paintings as a painting exercise.
Here are three that I’m currently working on.
All acrylic on canvas
For years I have periodically painted still life paintings of skulls. Sometimes these have taken a vanitas approach incorporating incorporating other symbolic elements (flowers/coins/ objects) to suggest a narrative or deeper meaning to the viewer.
More frequently they are something of a portrait of the skull where it is the sole or primary aspect of the composition .
In addition to attempting to develop a striking image, these paintings function as a form of painting practice, where I try to develop aspects of my skill and techniques.
Below are some recent examples:
As mentioned in previous posts, around 2017 I produced a number of illustrative paintings inspired by Patrick Suskind’s novel “Perfume”.
Prior to painting I produced a series of works on paper in biro or pencil, to develop the compositions in an improvisatory manner.
I was invited by Moray Art Centre to submit work for their Christmas exhibition which is a showcase of recent graduates.
A selection from my series of watercolour illustrations inspired by Manic Street Preachers album “Everything Must Go” are included, and are on view until 20th Jan.
Matt Wells Art 