Graham Matthews Abstract Artist

Greeting Cards at Fine Art America

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:08:16 PST

I have lowered the price of my greeting cards at Fine Art America drastically.

I have not done this to devalue my artworks in any way. But, the thought suddenly occurred to me how effective greeting cards can be. Just think of it… greeting cards are often given to others as gifts. People often hold onto them for keepsakes too… some even stick them on their fridges.

That could be my artwork!

So, I have decreased the price to make it easier for people to buy them. When they do, hopefully others will see it and will be interested in buying one of my art prints.

Inseparable Hearts – Abstract Pencil Drawing

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:31:16 PST

Inseparable Hearts is a recent graphite pencil drawing that explores the theme of love. I have completed many drawings and paintings with this theme. The most successful of these is an abstract painting named Entwined.

I have these two drawings placed together because they are similar in subject matter, symbolism, and have many other common elements. Actually, I am planning on doing a series of these exploring the same forms, and seeing where it leads me.

The forms are shaded to have a 3 dimensional effect in both, something that I am particularly good at… with lots of practice, of course. I enjoy making the shapes and forms “pop” off the paper, and being drawn into the image I am producing. Some of them look like a person can actually reach in. These actually look much better in person as opposed to on a computer screen.

Graham Matthews Art Prints for Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:14:08 PST

I just posted a few of my abstract paintings to my Fine Art America profile. Fine Art America is actually very new for me, but I am finding it better than any other site where I have posted art. It seems to have everything that an artist would want.

I have been busy the past couple of days updating my profile there and adding images. There are still many more to be included.

Check out all the great features in my posts at ArtProMotivate.

Fine Art America Print on Demand

Fine Art America Quick Tour

Triumph – Abstract Drawing and Painting

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:44:48 PST

Triumph is an abstract oil painting that began with a pencil drawing a few years ago. Both the graphite pencil drawing and oil painting are shown below.

This drawing initially began with an idea, that of triumph, which is rejoicing over a success or victory. The images supporting this theme in the abstract artwork are ones that I often use for my art.

Triumph Drawing
Graphite Drawing on Bristol
9” by 12”
Abstract Art by Graham Matthews

How to Prepare Your Art for the Web?

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:07:54 PST

I have been sharing my knowledge for the past few days concerning preparing art for the web. All of these articles and tutorials I have been posting at Artpromotivate.

Preparing and sharing your artworks on the internet can be a very time consuming process. I have tried to make it very easy to follow for all of you. In order to make it even easier, I will list the whole process, from start to finish, in order below.

Here is a screen capture of the abstract painting image (cropped) I used…

Contamination – Environmental Art

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:43:55 PST

Most of my paintings and drawings deal with deep personal themes, and for the most part have a psychological context. It is not often I step out of my focus to explore broader social issues. But, I felt a need to tackle something with this abstract artwork that we all can relate to, pollution of the environment.

The painting below can be called a type of environmental art.

Typically, environmental art deals with themes of nature, and the pollution and depletion of the natural environment. Artists such as Robert Smithson brought awareness to the environmental issue by actually making changes to the environment (Spiral Jetty). Other artists used recyclables and garbage to construct sculptures.

Although, the abstract painting below doesn’t use any of these, it is still called environmental art because of its theme.

The painting is called “Contamination” and deals with the pollution issue, but it’s main purpose is to bring environmental awareness.

Transcendence - Abstract Symbolism Art

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:11:56 PST

Transcendence is an abstract drawing I completed a couple years ago. It has several types of imagery and symbolism combined into one composition, all interlaced to imply the underlying theme of transcendence.

Transcendence means to expand on one’s limits, or to go beyond what one is capable of.

For this artwork, it means to rising above a particular situation.

There are several symbolic images in this abstract graphite drawing, and I will explore each separately.

5 Recommended Art Blogs

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:16:07 PST

I would like to thank everyone for submitting their entries for the featured artist at ArtProMotivate!

I have received spotlite requests from photographers, glass artists, abstract painters, sculptors, and more!

I have a lot of submissions, and I want to feature everyone who applied for the spotlite. So I will be initially holding a spotlite there bi-weekly.

I have to say that all the artists are extremely talented!

If you are an artist who would like your art featured at ArtProMotivate, please fill out the form here…

Submit to Our Artist Spotlite

I have been browsing some of the art blogs from artists commenting and following this site. I would like to recommend these to my readers, and encourage you to visit them.

Please support them by leaving a comment and following them. As artists, we should reach out to each other with words of encouragement and support.

Capelin Run – Abstract Realism Oil Painting Art

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 15:42:47 PST

The original abstract-realism oil painting below, tells the story of the traditional Newfoundland capelin run.

Capelin are small smelt fish that land on the beaches here in Newfoundland usually in mid-summer. They come closer to shore to spawn, and many end up washing up on the beaches. During the caplin run, it’s a common scene to see Newfoundlanders on the shorelines scooping up loads of capelin into their buckets.

The capelin are often left out in the sun on a flake to make “dried caplin”. These are often roasted in the oven, or over an open fire for eating. Fresh capelin are put into clear plastic bags along with water, and frozen. Fresh caplin taste great fried in a frying pan.

My New Years Resolutions for my Art

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 11:51:43 PST

Happy New Year!

Since it’s almost 2012, most are thinking of resolutions they will make.

This is a time both of reflection of the past year, and planning ahead for the future.

As for myself, I am contemplating several, in regards to my artwork.

My 2012 New Years Artist Resolutions

To paint more…

… whether it be my abstract realism styles, or commission projects. I feel I still have so many untapped ideas and expressions in this “little brain of mine”. I look forward to revealing these onto my canvas.

Tour of the Louvre

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:54:05 PST

My Louvre visit in Paris, France, in 1997 was quite an experience. Only about 2 hours in there, and I saw most of the main attractions.

With camera in hand I snapped photos of everything I could see!

What you see here are only a few of my many photos. I have quite a few more that I will display here at a later time.

If you want to see some of the photographs I posted before, of my Visual Arts semester to England, please visit…

Photos of My Art Class Trip to England

Squids – Hung out to Dry – Oil Painting

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:31:18 PST

The abstract painting below is one of my very recent artworks, completed in a combined abstract realism/surreal style.

Calamari is a popular Newfoundland meal. But, we mainly call it squid. Only the outer tube section is used for many of the traditional Newfoundland dishes.

A common Newfoundland meal is to stuff this with dressing, and cook it in the oven for awhile. This is known as “stuffed squid” and is very famous in this province.

Create Art Slide Show with One True Media and Share it on Youtube

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:02:42 PST

If you have been reading some of my articles at ArProMotivate, you will know that I try many different methods of getting my art out there in the public eye. There are just so many opportunities on the internet for artists to get noticed.

I certainly realize it takes a lot of time and effort to post your art on the internet. For those who do not have that time, I highly recommend Youtube and other social sites, such as Google+ and Facebook.

Up to Feb., 2011, Youtube had over 490,000,000 different users in every month, just on the main site! So, obviously Youtube can help in art promotion efforts if used correctly.

I will be writing an article on ideas for promoting art on Youtube soon. For now, I will show you how to create a simple 30 second video on One True Media, and then uploading it to your Youtube account… like this one.

Drawings by Graham Matthews

Young Girl Reflection Portrait Drawing

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 15:42:18 PST

I have completed many portrait drawings as commissioned pieces in the last few years. Locally, most people either cannot afford larger paintings, or are just not interested in abstract art. So, I used portrait drawings as a catalyst to bring exposure to my abstract and surreal artworks.

Many times, I have found it difficult reaching out to fellow Newfoundlanders with my fine art. The common thought is that they do not like what they do not easily understand.

The traditional Newfoundland painting usually includes realism images of fishing boats, local wildlife (such as moose, seagulls, and puffins), and icebergs. There is certainly nothing wrong with painting this way of course, for anyone who enjoys it.

Merry Christmas to All - Mummers Song

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 17:02:41 PST

Merry Christmas to all my readers!

Hope you all are having a great holiday season!

I had an amazing day and a delicious turkey dinner.

Today, I don't have time to post much but I figured I would show you all a traditional Newfoundland song about Christmas... The Mummer's Song, by Simani.

Icebergia Triptych - Abstract Realism

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:12:27 PST

I have many paintings of icebergs. I just love painting them!

Icebergs are very often seen in the bays around here in the spring and summer months. Last summer they were particularly plentiful, since a huge chunk of glacier from the arctic broke off.

This broke into thousands of smaller (but still very big!) chunks as it headed southerly toward Newfoundland. Some of the bays and harbors were literally filled with icebergs. This made for great photographs of course, especially for the tourists.

The main aspect of icebergs that I like is the various shapes and forms. They never look the same! Some are flat... and helicopters can even land on them. Others have beautiful flowing curvy forms.

One time a saw an iceberg in La Scie harbor with a huge gaping hole that was carved out by the ocean. As the sun disappeared beneath the horizon, it shone through the whole, making for a beautiful scene. I included this memory in my painting “Reflections of the Past”.

10 Online Art Gallery Sites List 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:57:49 PST

Here are some of the best free online gallery websites for displaying artworks online.

Use them to post and display drawings, paintings, sculptures, photographs, collages, and anything else art related.

Most allow you to network with other artists, create a portfolio right on the site, and sell your artwork through an online checkout.

I may expand on the list later. If anyone has any suggestions for additions, please let me know in the comments section.

Voyage Abroad - Abstract Painting – Oil on Canvas

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:07:36 PST

In the previous two posts leading up to this one, I have been delving into the thought process and background history of one of my first successful artwork creations, “Voyage Abroad”.

What I mean by “successful” is that before then, I had not developed a particular style all my own, and this piece (and a few others at the time) became my definitive magnum opus.

These two posts are found here:

Why do I Paint This Way?

Photos of my Art Class Trip to England

How My Art Style Developed

Of course, this particular style had developed and nurtured since early childhood, when I would doodle and sketch compulsively. I can see now why I sketched so much. My parents often drank obsessively, and my only means of escape (or so I thought) was to spend hours in my room drawing whatever came to mind. I always drew, from the very beginning, to escape from reality.

Photos of my Art Class Trip to England

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:18:31 PST

In my previous post, I mentioned that I would explain the underlying meanings behind my painting “Voyage Abroad”.

This article can be found here:

Why do I Paint This Way?

Before writing an analysis of this abstract painting (in the next post), I figured I would give you all a little background to what inspired it.

Between the years of 1996-1999, I attended the Fine Arts College in Corner Brook Newfoundland. In the spring of 1997, my Visual Arts class went on a 6 week trip to Harlow, England. We completed three art history courses there at the time, which involved touring various museums and landmarks around England. From there, we travelled to various locations around Europe.

Stonehenge

I always imagined these stones larger than they were, but they were very big just the same. I wonder how they got those huge stones up there.

Why do I Paint This Way?

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:26:44 PST

I have been told many times that I have a very unique distinct style. I’ve always painted this way. As an artist I often paint for the sake of painting… it’s what I love doing. I do put a lot of thought and planning into my artworks, and how my themes are conveyed on the canvas, as one can see by looking elsewhere on this art blog.

But my style very often just comes naturally – it’s the way I love to paint.

What I love most is the “act of painting”… the mixing of the colors, and seeing the paint spread across the canvas.

I approach painting in the same way as I sculpt clay – I mold the forms by using contrasting colors and often detailed rendering.

Bright colors near neutral make the forms pop out, obviously.

Island Cove Evening - Abstract Painting

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:43:48 PST

There is a little cove called “Island Cove” in La Scie, Newfoundland, the town I used to live in up until a couple years ago. This is the one that is featured in this colorful abstract painting.

While entering the cove one has to walk down a long flight of wooden stairs before finally arriving at the rocky beach below.

Huge steep cliffs surround the entire area, and the sounds of waves rolling in pounds in one’s ears.

Description of the Painting

The beach is filled with round rocks, some big but mostly smaller sized. Walking along the beach, one can see the Horse Islands in the distance, which once held a little settlement quite a few years ago. Besides that, the ocean extends as far as the eye can see.

Unsettled–Pencil Drawing on Paper

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 11:29:21 PST

The graphite drawing below is based on feelings that I have been having many times in the past. I used to hate where I was in life, I was not successful and happy - it seemed like time was passing me by.

I struggled with these feelings for a long time, and expressed them outwardly through my artwork.

Of course today I am quite content with where I am, and very happy. But, I am glad I recorded this in this artwork. It shows me where I was, and what I have become. It is a very real representation of my mind at that moment. This is what, I think, true art is all about, delving into the deepest ridges of the human psyche.

Pencil Drawing on Bristol Paper

”Unsettled”
9” by 12”
Psychological Art
By Graham Matthews

In this original pencil drawing, the lines and forms are in a very chaotic pattern. They are going in all directions, with seemingly no place to “rest”. Some parts look like they are trying to get organized and connected, especially the forms partly swirling in the top part of the composition. The shapes at the very bottom appear to be just coming “on the scene” in a type of rescue attempt to bring order to chaos.

The drawing captures an instant, a moment in time, almost like a photograph would. You can imagine, by looking at it, that the shapes would be in a completely different pattern if that “snapshot” had been taken even minutes later.

The question is, would it be more orderly… or chaotic?

ArtProMotivate - Art Advice, Tips, and Tricks

Please visit and follow my new blog at Artpromotivate to get great advice and tips, that I am freely sharing, on promoting your art all across the internet - and everywhere else!

Thank-you for reading! If you have any comments you will like to share, please post them below.

Free Resources for Artists

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 15:19:29 PST

There is a project that I have been contemplating for quite awhile – a blog with free artist resources, art promotion tips and advice… and art-related motivational articles.

That project is called ArtProMotivate (opens in a new window). The term came to me as a mix of the words “art promotion” and “art motivate”.

Thus, as you can imagine, this blog will encompass a myriad of topics, all under the dual headings “promotion” and “motivation”.

I have been writing some posts here on this blog for the past couple of weeks. I mainly focused on Facebook and Google+, giving tutorials on signing up for each. As you can realize, art promotion online and offline is much more broader scope than just these two social networks.

There are literally hundreds of places online where one can promote their art on the internet. Of course most people don’t have enough time to promote to all these sites. So, I will be giving some great tips on how you can organize your online time.

Be sure to subscribe to my blog.

You do not want to miss this!

I hope all of you have enjoyed my articles for the past couple weeks as much as I enjoyed writing them. Thank-you so much for all the kind comments. It means more than you can imagine.

I will certainly continue some helpful posts here, as well as explanations of some of my artworks.

Thank-you for reading!!

7 Tips for Using an Artist Sketchbook

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 07:35:50 PST

For me, a sketchbook is a journal of all my daily activities. I always have it nearby so that I can sketch or jot down any ideas that come to mind. I usually carry a small one with me wherever I go, just in case an original idea may come to mind. I often expand on those in my studio.

Some of my greatest inspirations come to me at the most unpredictable of times, and its always best to have a sketchbook handy - in case I might forget it later.

Using Your Sketchbook

Sketch to Make You Better at Drawing

If you are unskilled at drawing, use it to better your drawing skills. Sketch everything around you, indoors and outdoors.

Sketching as Much as You Can

Try to do at least one sketch a day, maybe more, whatever it may be. Many artists like to have a separate sketchbook for this.

Write in a Sketchbook too!

A sketch-book is not just for drawing. If you come up with something that cannot be interpreted with a sketch, write about it. Feel free to jot notes alongside drawings. Remember, this is your sketching book. This does not have to be seen by anyone if you don’t want to. You can even treat it like a journal or diary if that is your desire. Many artists even write poetry in their sketchbooks.

Use Bigger Sketchpads

The larger the sketch book the better. Artists can freely express themselves on a larger sized page. Have smaller sketchbooks for travel.

Take Your Sketchbook with You!

Keep it with you as much as you can. If you are going hiking, have it in your backpack. Have it with you on long car trips, but only if you are the passenger of course – don’t sketch and drive! :) I suggest getting a small notepad sized one that can fit in a pocket or purse – something that is not bulky.

Recycle Older Ideas

Go back over your older sketchbooks occasionally. You will be surprised about how much you will be newly inspired. A sketch you did years ago just might be more relevant to you now, hence you can expand on it in a larger drawing, painting, or sculpture.

More sketchbook tips

Put your name and date on the cover. Be sure to date each individual drawing too.
Always carry a pencil or fine pointed marker with you too.
Draw in your sketchpad from front to back, never do random pages.
Try not to erase anything. A sketch is not meant to be a masterpiece.

Repulsion
Graphite Pencil on Paper
2007
By Graham Matthews

Hopefully, I have inspired some of you to use your sketchbooks more often. I think they are the most valuable tool an artist can have.

How to Create Welcome for Facebook Page Using Pagemodo

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:06:17 PST

A welcome tab for your Facebook art page is a must if you want to obtain more “likes”. There are a few different options for welcome tabs, but for this post I will be focusing on Pagemodo. Please realize that I am not promoting Pagemodo over another similar product, neither am I a Pagemodo affiliate.

I already published two posts dealing with Facebook fan-pages for artists. You are welcome to view them here…

How to Setup Your Facebook Artist Fanpage

7 Ways to Get Lots of Likes For Your Facebook Artist Fanpage

Setting up Pagemodo for Facebook Art Page

Go to the Pagemodo website…

Click the “Start NOW! Connect with Facebook” button…

Then allow Pagemodo to connect to your Facebook account…

After this, select the page on which you want to use the welcome tab.

Choose a theme. If you do not want to upgrade, your choices are limited here. But, my advice is to try a free theme first, then decide later if you want a much more professional pro theme.

I will choose the “Photo Art Gallery Theme” for this tutorial

Modify the theme to your liking. I used the last one on the top right, since it allows for more photos than the others.

Only change the background settings if you have a background image that you want to use.

Click “Next step” at the bottom.

Editing Pagemodo Template

Click each of the “Placeholder Image” symbols to add a different artwork. You can upload an image from your computer, then adjust the slider for the part of your photo that you want to appear. A link to the picture can also be added here. For mine, I have a link to my blog and for the “alt text” I choose the name of the image.
Press “Done” to start editing another part.
For text there is a WYSIWYG editor. You can adjust text colors, fonts, and sizes, and even include links and lists.
For ideas on what to put in the text areas, visit other artists who use Pagemodo to see what they have there.
When you are finally finished editing the page, click “I’m done editing”

You will be taken to the “Like gate”.

Important! Make sure this is set to “off” to get the free welcome page, then click “next step”.

On the publish page, choose a tab icon and name, and a sharing message. Make sure free is selected if you do not want to upgrade your Pagemodo welcome tab. You can see the various upgrade options here.

Click “publish” at the bottom, and your welcome tab will appear on your page. Log into your Facebook account right away and view your creation.

If you need to make some changes, just click “edit this page” and you will be taken to the welcome tab on Pagemodo.

How to Delete Pagemodo

If you decide that you do not like what you have created, or that Pagemodo is not for you, please follow the following steps.

Log into your Facebook page
Go to your wall
Click “Edit this Page”
Click “apps” on the left
On “Pagemodo Custom Welcome Tab” simply click the “X”, then select “Remove”
Log into the Pagemodo website again, click on the little symbol in the upper right corner of the screenshot for your welcome page, then select “delete”
If you want to create another welcome page after that, just follow all the steps in this post again.

Graham Matthews Abstract Artist

Greeting Cards at Fine Art America

Inseparable Hearts – Abstract Pencil Drawing

Graham Matthews Art Prints for Sale

Triumph – Abstract Drawing and Painting

How to Prepare Your Art for the Web?

Contamination – Environmental Art

Transcendence - Abstract Symbolism Art

5 Recommended Art Blogs

Capelin Run – Abstract Realism Oil Painting Art

My New Years Resolutions for my Art

My 2012 New Years Artist Resolutions

To paint more…

Tour of the Louvre

Squids – Hung out to Dry – Oil Painting

Create Art Slide Show with One True Media and Share it on Youtube

Young Girl Reflection Portrait Drawing

Merry Christmas to All - Mummers Song

Merry Christmas to all my readers!

Icebergia Triptych - Abstract Realism

10 Online Art Gallery Sites List 2012

Voyage Abroad - Abstract Painting – Oil on Canvas

How My Art Style Developed

Photos of my Art Class Trip to England

Why do I Paint This Way?

Island Cove Evening - Abstract Painting

Description of the Painting

Unsettled–Pencil Drawing on Paper

Pencil Drawing on Bristol Paper

ArtProMotivate - Art Advice, Tips, and Tricks

Free Resources for Artists

7 Tips for Using an Artist Sketchbook

Using Your Sketchbook

Sketch to Make You Better at Drawing

Sketching as Much as You Can

Write in a Sketchbook too!

Use Bigger Sketchpads

Take Your Sketchbook with You!

Recycle Older Ideas

More sketchbook tips

How to Create Welcome for Facebook Page Using Pagemodo

Setting up Pagemodo for Facebook Art Page

Editing Pagemodo Template

How to Delete Pagemodo