Occasionally I make collagey mixed-media works for fun. A way to explore interesting compositions and distortions outside of real world restrictions of perspective and proportion.
They also frequently allow a free exploration of a sort of grotesque as a result of the jarring combination of different scaled elements.
I have added some of these collages to my eBay shop: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394355872772
Wow, it’s been a while since I updated this site! I will be back soon, but for now, I have made a number of paintings available on eBay!
Check out the available work here:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/matwe9458
and pick up a Xmas bargain!
Some of the paintings added to my eBay store
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.
An ongoing work in oil and collage on panel
The last (for now?…) studies influenced by songs from the Manic Street Preachers album “Everything Must Go” have been added to the gallery page: https://mattwells.art.blog/narrative-painting/portfolio/
Below are a few of them.
“We’re all in the same boat, but some of us aren’t getting our feet wet”, acrylic on canvas, 30 x 60cm
This study for a larger painting was painted a couple of Prime Ministers ago, during the reign of David Cameron. An allegory of class disparity.
And the 70 x 100cm painting it spawned, which is difficult to get a photo of due to reflections on the dark paint.
As part of my practice I sometimes make landscape studies. The reasons vary from documenting the passage through time and space (in my walking drawings), sourcing potential locations and elements for inclusion as setting for later narrative works, to the enjoyment of applying paint to mimic colour combinations, texture and interesting lighting effects.
I have added a gallery here and otherwise stated all works are available. Enquiries can be made to matthewgwells@outlook.com
The first series added consists of 25 studies of the Moray coastline painted in acrylic on card, around A5 size.
Matt Wells Art 