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
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.
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:
An ongoing work in oil and collage on panel
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.
I’m pleased to announce that I am one of the recipients of this years Royal Scottish Academy ‘John Kinross Scholarship’.
This enables me a grant to study in Florence for a period up to 12 weeks. I intend to visit next summer, primarily to study frescoes, any Caravaggio I can lay my beady eye on and, hopefully, old master drawings- drawing being very much at the root of my practice.
November also saw the presentation of the Gray’s Postgraduate showcase “Onwards” at the Look Again project space in Aberdeen.
For this curated presentation of the MA course, the work of mine selected was the triptych. “An Amicable Separation”, gouache, watercolour, acrylic .
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.
Matt Wells Art 