Artist Statement
“The natural world, its beauty and the interaction between people and the built form provide constant inspiration for me. Many of my paintings are from the coast or from travel.
I try to capture the sensory experience on canvas. For instance, a sunny day spent lying on the beach, or playing in the surf with friends is a day one remembers in a dreamy haze of fragmented colour and shape.
My most recent works are made using a different process to how I painted previously. Over the past few years, I experimented with drawing, line and colour. Those experiments have enriched my work. By spending more time on the preliminary drawings and line work, I can create a more satisfying and engaging visual story. It becomes clear to me earlier in the process about what is better to leave out, and how best to lead the eye around an image.
It’s been good to return to my favourite theme, water, and to approach it with fresh eyes.”
~ Rick Matear