Work in Progress…

Original Cut Paper Art 48 x 21″

I’m experimenting with oil pencils on the black tea-stained walnut backboard. Hope you enjoy.

OnCreativity.Episode 4:
The Power of Language
Join me as I sit down for a conversation with published poet and colleague, Ron Egatz.

Check out his website at Egatz.com, Camber Press and his new book Beneath Stars Long Extict

Comments welcome! You can listen to it below, or download it.

You can also subscribe to the podcast series and download it via iTunes!

Download

Exhibition @ Berkeley Gallery Preview Timelapse – Matt Hill Art from Matt Hill on Vimeo. See it on YouTube.

Last Saturday, my good friends Brian and Christian, otherwise known as Attack and Release came over and made music while I was cutting some of the new pieces for the June Exhibition at Berkeley Gallery. I was shooting timelapse of three potential candidate piece for the show while Brian and Christian made gorgeous music. Simply said, we all had a hell of a time making art collaboratively.

Big thanks to Attack and Release for contributing the original music that graces the timelapse. Not sure what’s going to make the show yet, but at least you get a taste of its origins. See you Wed the 9th of June!

There will be a public opening on June 9 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm – all are welcome. RSVP is reccomended, but not required. Either email matt [at] matthillart.com or use Facebook.

Location:
Berkeley Gallery: 3 East 43rd Street, Main Floor, New York, NY
Note: Located in Berkeley College

I am preparing a new body of work that includes much larger pieces. Looking forward to seeing you there!

It’s hard to describe all the warm, fuzzy feelings I have the day after my opening. But, I’m going to give it a shot, as there are a lot of people who deserve a shout-out.

First off, huge thanks to my family for coming out early to have a lazy dinner at Klimat. You are wonderful!

Secondly, Mike and Peter at Klimat get mad marks in my book. They are super-friendly, helpful and supportive. You would be hard-pressed to find a more hospitable public space in NYC. I highly recommend spending a few hours at Klimat, you will leave a happier person.

Next up is Plywerk, whose outstanding customer service and personal touch made it possible for me to hang the show the way I envisioned it.

Last and certainly not least is my wonderful group of friends who made time to come to the opening. You made the evening cozy, happy, wonderful, full of light and laughter. Thank you, thank you, thank you. One friend made this comment,

“Made me never want to see an opening at a regular gallery ever again. No boxed wine, no dried out cheese, no strict two-hour window, no people hanging around just for the sake of being seen. The bar has been raised.”

I couldn’t agree more – it was a magical evening.

If you would like to experience it for yourself, drop by Klimat 77 E 7th St, NY, NY (1 block south of St. Marks) Here is what is currently on exhibit.

And give me a shout if you want to have a beer :)

Photos after the break…

See ‘em all here.

Original Cut Paper Art 20 x 16″

Original Cut Paper Art 16 x 20″

Original Cut Paper Art 20 x 16″

Original Cut Paper Art 20 x 16″

Original Cut Paper Art 16 x 20″

Original Cut Paper Art 16 x 20″ SOLD

Original Cut Paper Art 16 x 20″

Original Cut Paper Art 16 x 20″

Original Cut Paper Art 14 x 11″

Original Cut Paper Art 14 x 11″

Original Cut Paper Art 14 x 11″

Original Cut Paper Art 11 x 14″

Original Cut Paper Art 11 x 14″

Cut Paper Art Stop Motion from Matt Hill on Vimeo.

You get a sneak-peek at one of the new pieces – even mounting on the new Plywerk panels.

My show will open on Oct 16 and run through December 4, 2009.

I’ll be having an artist’s reception on Friday October 16 from 7pm – 9pm (and beyond!) in tasting lounge downstairs at Klimat.

77 E. 7th St
(between 1st Ave & 2nd Ave)
New York, NY 10003
(917) 214-0589

Come one, come all. Expect a brand-new body of work.  I look forward to seeing you there!

Matt

EDIT: There is an RSVP page on Facebook – feel free to let me know you are coming!

77 E. 7th St
(between 1st Ave & 2nd Ave)
New York, NY 10003
(917) 214-0589

The show will run the month of October and will feature all new work. In addition, I’ve teamed up with Portland-based Plywerk to hang a special show for you. Since my last experiment of hanging naked paper, I’ve been thinking about how to display paper without glass, but in a more protective manner. :) And then I remembered meeting this swell guy named Kjell at the Portland Saturday Market.

I was impressed by their seamless mounting of art on maple plywood or bamboo. I kept the info and then when this came up, I decided to give them a ring. Wonderful people – you should try ‘em out!

2 things caught my eye – the finish on the edges is gorgeous:

And they mill out the hookspace on the back – such a clean presentation, I couldn’t resist:

So, back to Klimat – I’m working out the date for the opening with the owner, Peter, who is a really swell guy. Will post details and invites when this is confirmed. Come ready to drink delicious Eastern European beers and wines, and taste some delicious food. We’ll have some special space set aside in the wine tasting lounge in the basement. I know I’m looking to having some more Staropramen – a beer I had not had since Prague back in ’94.

Original Cut Paper 11 x 14″ [SOLD]

Original Cut Paper 11 x 14″

Original Cut Paper 14 x 11″

Original Cut Paper 14 x 11″ [SOLD]

Original Cut Paper 11 x 14″

Independence Day from Matt Hill on Vimeo.

Original Cut Paper 32 x 21″
Background – mixed media charcoal and matte black spraypaint

Some people deal with conflict differently than others. Neither is right, but it happens nonetheless.

(TIPS: 1. Go fullscreen. 2. Turn off the pen preview for the surprise factor)

Oh, and it was Regina Spektor I couln’t remember. Shame on me.

 Here are a few shots from last night’s opening, which was truly wonderful:

I didn't realize I look a little like Daniel Rossen now... weird.

I was busy being happy and enjoying all of my friends that came out to support the show. So, unfortunately, I didn’t get photos of all of you :( Deep, grateful thanks to each and every one of you.

So earlier this week I had an idea about hanging the show – both a theme and a method. No framing, naked paper. But how to do it without damaging the pieces? Lomo to the rescue. Yes, Lomo.

They sell these amazing little plastic Fotoclips and they also opened a store in downtown Manhattan! Perfect. So, I dropped by on my way to a party in Brooklyn and… voila! Here are the results:

A massive show with 33 pieces on exhibit.

The show theme is Naked Paper, and I’ve even hung pieces that normally would get a black backing open over the wall. The interesting things are that they a) have a yellow wall – so how it shows against this will change throughout the day organically and b) they stand off the wall a little bit so some shadowcasting happens.

I’m excited to see how this experiment works out. There was lots of interest from coffee lovers while I spent two hours hanging the show.

OPENING

I will be having an opening on Friday, 2/20/09 from 5:30 – 7:30pm. All are welcome to come! It will also be part of Tarrytown’s Third Friday, an art happening every month. You can just drop in or RSVP on Facebook.

7 Main St, Tarrytown, NY MAP

Here is another look at the outside of Coffee Labs Roasters, sandwiched between Lefteris (awesome Greek food) and Tarrytown Music Hall:

Feb 1 (after 6pm) to Feb 28, 2009
7 Main St, Tarrytown, NY MAP

I just dreamed up a reallllly cool idea for hanging – more tomorrow night if I pull it off ;) 

Opening:
2/20/09 5:30pm – 7:30pm 

My work has been selected for a unique, juried exhibition online at the surrealist art gallery House of Scratch.

If you dig my work, please show your support by stopping by to vote – it only takes a moment.

Thanks! Matt 

EDIT: Congratulations go to Jason Spencer, who won the competition.

Original Cut Paper 17×14″

We all have the tools with which to defeat the agonies in which we place ourselves. Sometimes they get misplaced. Sometimes we forget we are standing there, slack-jawed, with the tools in hand staring down turbulent maelstroms as you approach…

Original Cut Paper 14×17″

Sometimes… sometimes… people just couldn’t be more different.

Original Cut Paper 14×17″

Serenity sometimes comes wearing strange disguises.

OnCreativity.Episode 3:

Process and Synthesis
I’m back! This time it’s about synthesizing pursuits in life into creative pursuits, an update on the stop-motion film project and some more music.

Comments welcome! You can listen to it below, or download it.

You can also subscribe to the podcast series and download it via iTunes!

Download 

Original Cut Paper 17×14″

Fishing for ideas?

Original Cut Paper 14×17″

A whisper, followed by a sigh… a secret is born.

Original Cut Paper 4×4″ (not for sale)

Sometimes you just gotta think good for good to be.  I’m sure this should become a series (grin).

Original Cut Paper 17 x 14″

Sometimes I think so hard my brain fills up with eggs full of ideas… swimming around, thinking, gestating.

Original Cut Paper – 17 x 14″

Felicity

• S: (n) felicity, felicitousness (pleasing and appropriate manner or style (especially manner or style of expression))
• S: (n) happiness, felicity (state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy)

Contentment is often a happy feeling, but bears a double-edge. Felicity sounds wonderful, but “appropriate” has a dangerous ring to me… especially regarding whose beliefs “appropriate” is satisfying :)

Original Cut Paper (not for sale)

This was part of a magical day of growth, full of happy thoughts, music, art and enlightenment… and freedom from former beliefs.

Digital vector of sketch, colorized. 

Stop Motion Test #2 – Cut Paper – MattHillArt.com from Matt Hill on Vimeo.

Original Cut Paper – 40 x 28″

Plagued by color, stifled by shape, Talon sweeps through the atmosphere. To hue, or not to?

Details:

Here is what they do:

Artistaday.com’s goal is simple. We feel artists are under-valued, under-exposed, and generally under-appreciated. We want to bring attention to artists that otherwise don’t get the attention they deserve. If we can bring their art to one person that would have otherwise missed the opportunity to see it, we feel like we have made a contribution to the art community. If you like the artist’s work, take a second to leave a comment to tell them so. If you don’t, feel free to tell them that as well (constructive criticism is always appreciated). We don’t intend to showcase all the artist’s work, in fact we only show one or two images by the artist.
Be sure to continue through to the artist’s website to find more of their work.

Please drop by and leave a comment or even a rating if you’re so inclined. Thanks go out to Geoff for finding me and asking permission to feature my work.

Original Cut Paper 25.5 x 20″

Rita: What’s wrong with you?
Jack: Let me think about that. I’ll let you know next time I see you.

The Darjeeling Limited by Wes Anderson

Wes is a marvel. He is the master of the slo-mo dolly shot loaded with moments, looks and gravity. But he is also the finest filmmaker that can celebrate dysfunction in an accepting manner, instead of passing judgement. A toast to Wes!

Sweet Lime is such a wonderful description for the turmoil in Jack, embodied in Rita and the moniker Francis gives her.

Original Cut Paper 14 x 7.25 “

Prance, little dreams, prance.

Original Cut Paper 25 x 34″

Arms lay down, webs dispel.

Original Cut Paper 20 x 20.5″ (Celebration! 100th piece)

Details:

Deeply rooted, twisted and tangled by what he touches, the Baron is a safe harbor for dreams, receiving them in his city-mind.

Original Cut Paper 12 x 12″ (Not for Sale)

When invited to dinner and it’s suggested to bring flowers, what would you do?

Big thanks go out to Patrick Gannon, who is keeping alive an internet meme that has a good purpose. It’s called the “You Make My Day Award” and here are the rules:

• The recipients should write a post with links to 5 blogs that make them think warm fuzzy thoughts.
• Acknowledge in the post the award giver.
• Display the “You Make My Day Award” logo with a link to the original post (Optional)
• Tell the award winners that they have won by commenting on their blogs with the news.

Apparently, my site has a problem with leaving comments, which I will remedy shortly after posting this.

Thank you, Patrick, for thinking of me. I am humbled. Here is Patrick’s original post.

I’d like to take a moment to explain how I met Patrick and other things. 1) I joined MySpace about a year ago, and shortly was horrified. After that initial emotional response, I discovered that it was a fantastic way to find new music, so I devoted my account there to expanding my music base. At some point, I started adding info about my Cut Paper and discovered Patrick, who ended up on my friends list.

Fast forward to my show last fall, I browse my messages and see that Patrick is having a show in San Francisco simultaneously. I was excited, as I truly admire his work and hoped to meet him. I shot out an email and he told me that the trip from Tokyo to San Franciso wasn’t going to happen. But, I did shoot photos of his work hanging at the show. And what a show… (Between you and me, Patrick’s work was on top in a show strictly about things involving paper!)

Now about his work: Unique style, combination of cutting and tearing paper, well-defined characters and subjects, and a wonderful sense of humor. Color, composition and flow are all a delight to my eyes. Do yourself a favor, check out Patrick Gannon’s Cut Paper Art, and if you are so inclined, pick up a piece. I saw them in person and they are extraordinary. Patrick, you also make my day. Keep on making the world as you see it.

Now, on to my list. Since Patrick sent this on to me, I will keep him out of it.
Ellia Hill – a.k.a. GreenBeanBaby – Cut Paper Illustrator and Artist
I joined Ellia’s group in Flickr about Cut Paper Illustration, and she welcomed me with open arms. After a while, she invted me to be a moderator for the group, and we discovered that we were both “Hills”, but no relation, both have an affinity for Halo, and paper. Her work is strong, happy, fun and always makes me smile. Blog tagline: “cut paper goodness and the writings in between [including motherhood]“
Gabriel Biderman – fine art photography
Gabe is one of the very few photographers I know that still has his own silver darkroom, and shoots film with a passion. His fine art photography of entropic creations of man and nature are reminiscent of other times and places.
Andre Costantini - photographer and more (See OnCreativity Episode 2)
I could say a lot about Andre, but the best way to experience him is to visit his site and check out the podcast here. He doesn’t have a blog yet, but who knows?
Cory Doctorow – Sci-Fi Writer and blogger
I don’t expect Cory to pick this up, but he is an inspiration. Iconoclast, excellent writer, and bringer of wonderful things to the world.
LaBlogotheque – Vincent Moon – videoblogging of musicians
I can’t even begin to put into words how beautiful Vincent Moon’s work with musicians can be… Just see it for yourself.

P.S. Wayne Coyne is my hero, but he doesn’t have a blog. So watch this and this to get a peek into why. “Do what you love”. OK, one more.

Original Cut Paper 20 x 25.5″ {This one was too big for the scanner – so the image quality may not be optimal. Disclaimers aside, second piece on black paper.}

We all know the drill. Grow. Grow harder. Grow up. Rest up for a bit. Grow some more. Somewhere along the line the concept of age got tied to this whole process. They are not exclusive partners.

Tunes note: I had every intention of beginning one of my new ideas and posting some original music for your listening pleasure while looking. It’s a bit late right now, so instead I will share this with you: I was listening to Department of Eagles while cutting tonight and it was sublime. If you’ve ever heard of the incredible Brooklyn band called Grizzly Bear, you already know one of the musical geniuses behind Department of Eagles – Daniel Rossen. Albums I listened to tonight: The Whitey on the Moon EP, Gold Suits (Please treat yourself to watching this video of “No One Does it Like You”), Johnny Glaze Christmas (Classical Snatches and Samples a go-go), and from Grizzly Bear – Horn of Plenty (the remixes).

And you may hear more about Grizzly Bear… I just discovered they are touring with Radiohead later this year. AND, I just discovered a sold-out show with Paul Simon and Gillian Welch at BAM in 2 weeks. Sigh…

Deep thanks to all of you for your support, encouragement, appreciation, critiques, and for continuing to visit my little online home for cut paper art.

From tattoo designs to paper masks, the as-yet infant Tarot Project, my magical show at Thumprint Cellars, sometimes sketches, shirts (more to come!) and the new added content – the OnCreativity Podcast – more of those sure to come – I continue to explore my own expression of paper art as I see it.

Today I added a few links on the right, titled, “Friends and Artists”. Please take some time to visit other wonderful people that have touched my life.

I have other big plans for 2008, and I can’t wait to complete some of these larger, much more ambitious projects and share them with you. The act of creation is joy in itself, having you enjoy it only adds more to it.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Matt

Original Cut Paper 13.5 x 7.5″

On one side, the past. On the other, the future. In between lies the parting.

Episode 2 – André Costantini
Photographer, Musician, Video Artist, Writer, and creator extraordinaré.
Website: SillyDancing.com
YouTube Videos

You can listen to it below, or download it. You can also subscribe to the podcast series and download it via iTunes!

Original Cut Paper 13.5 x 7.5″

I usually dislike Dickens, but this seems to work perfectly:

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way–in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

Original Cut Paper 9x 12″

Birthday gift for my dear friend Karma. Shhh – it’s a secret.

This is my first piece done on black paper, with some awesome backing paper I found while paper shopping at Pearl in NYC.

Original Cut Paper 14 x 17″

 Lotus linger, delicate singer – the dreams that lie beneath the scene. 

Original Cut Paper 16 x 36″ Framed

There is a power to Japanese Kanji characters that is quite bold, yet sublime. Freedom is much the same.

Original Cut Paper 14 x 17″

This one was named live during the first recording my my new podcast, OnCreativity. Check it out for a peek into my creative process.

Folks, this has been a dream of mine for a while, and now I am making it happen. I’ve always wanted to explore, in a way that could be shared, the process of creativity from the artist’s point of view – up close and personal, as they say.

I present to you: OnCreativity.

Episode 1:
I explore my own process of making Cut Paper Art, and plans for future episodes featuring creative friends who inspire me. Comments welcome!

You can listen to it below, or download it. You can also subscribe to the podcast series and download it via iTunes!

Original Cut Paper 8 x 8″

One in the oven, just full of potential for good things in the future. Hehe, not me! Good friends of mine are expecting any day now…
Got my fingers crossed for you guys! Love, life and joy.

Original Cut Paper 17 x 14″

Winter in my new home has been more mild than I expected. But those winds are blowing now… cold is coming in.

Original Cut Paper 14 x 17″

Winks and blinks and curvy paths for dreams to follow.

Original Cut Paper 14 x 17″

Somehow the closer you get, the magnitude of “small things” grows disproportionately large.

Original Cut Paper 14×17″

To prevail in the face of adversity is joy.

Original Cut Paper 14×17″

Ephemeral. Fleeting. Light is intangible… but it can be held.

Original Cut Paper Mask

“Tikkun Olam is a Hebrew phrase that means ‘repairing the world’ or ‘perfecting the world.’ ” [link] plus is a belief held by one of my very best friends. This mask is a gift for his birthday, and a big thank-you for being a genuine, helpful person making a difference.

www.cafepress.com/matthillart

Shirts, hoodies and tanks for guys and gals! I started with three of my designs in 12 total styles -Debonair, Gail Wynand and Freedom:

Support the arts! Buy my shirts :D Suggestions for colors/styles always welcome. Tell me which design you want, and I’ll make it.

Original Cut Paper + Photoshop addition of background color

Dress your holiday with love and peace.

Original Cut Paper Mask