Aaron Brothers - Where Artists Create

Artist of the Month: The Island Style of Dennis Mathewson

Our Artist of the Month, Dennis Mathewson, is a man of many canvases. Along with designing a series of custom frame mouldings that can be found in our Aaron Brothers stores, Dennis is also a fine artist. Check out some of his work below as you learn more about his unique island style.

The creative original style found in Dennis Mathewson’s artwork and designs comes from always thinking and living life as an artist. Growing up in the 60’s his artistic roots started with the popular art of the time such as pop art with glowing black lights, rock art, and concert posters that steered his life towards commercial art.

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Airbrush on metal.

In the 80’s he relocated to Hawaii to open several airbrush t-shirts operations throughout the Islands working and dealing with many other artists. Since then, he has remained in the islands, incorporating all of his prior skills with his Island lifestyle into his busy custom paint shop, Cosmic Airbrush. His unique island style and vibrant use of color has landed him a his own color paint line, airbrush stencil products, and videos as well as many freelance articles written for magazines worldwide. Currently, his unique style can be seen and enjoyed in his exclusive DM Dzign picture frame mouldings.

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Hand painting detail on a motorcycle tank at Cosmic Airbrush.

Dennis’ name is known globally, having traveled the world teaching artist workshops and working alongside of some of the best airbrush, tattoo and other commercial artists in his trendy industry. His artwork is not the average seascape over the couch, but you will see some of his edgier works on hot rods and motorcycles, as well as in extreme sports and tattoo style artwork.

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Filling in detail on an original painting at Diamond Head Gallery Show.

Utilizing his highly trained talents and years of experience, he paints and designs what he likes and what appeals to his peer group. His highly successful and popular fine art reflects his own life experiences and what he has learned over 40 years as a professional artist living in Hawaii. Somehow, he seems to know what the art consumers really like and what folks desire in artwork that hasn’t been done or seen before. His work is uniquely original as it reflects his own life as an artist.

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Carving a tiki at a trade show in Las Vegas.

Dennis was asked what his choice of frame for his artwork would be. He replied, “I have a hard time selecting frames for my own artwork similarly as my fellow artists that I have worked with. We always used to just select black frames, but now we have exciting choices to choose from and work with that fit and enhance the look of our artwork. I’m proud to share it with the world as DM Dzigns. Its hard to go back to the traditional frame look once you have seen DM Dzigns.”

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Dennis’ custom mouldings carried by Aaron Brothers.

All photos copyright Dennis Mathewson. Used with permission. See more of Dennis’ work at Cosmic Airbrush.

Artist of the Month: Get to Know Dennis Mathewson

This week we are excited to announce DM Dzigns custom frame mouldings in Aaron Brothers stores. You've probably already seen Dennis Mathewson's mouldings on the Aaron Brothers home page, but we wanted to give you the chance to learn more about the man himself.

Dennis is known worldwide for his unique island inspired artwork style, vibrant use of color and highly desired Kustom mixed paints, which landed him his own signature paint line, “Hawaiian Hues”. ArtTool and Iwata airbrush company manufactures Dennis’ signature templates. His picture frame moulding line “DM Dzigns” is made by Direct Moulding . His credentials include earning a PPG certified master painter title as well as being a master instructor for over 30 years, sharing his knowledge of airbrushing and kustom painting, filling classes and workshops with students eager to learn and be inspired by Dennis.

When he is not traveling or painting his brains out at his busy Cosmic Airbrush shop in Honolulu, he writes monthly articles and Informative step by stories of his work that have been and are currently published in the many magazines worldwide. Many articles of his paint projects have been featured in Truckin, Easy Rider, Hot Bike, VQ, Hot VW, Low Rider and many more too numerous to mention or keep track of. Dennis is also a top selling fine artist and has 100’s of originals as well as prints of his fine art paintings gracing the walls of the Diamond Head Galleries in Lahaina, Maui and Honolulu in Hawaii.

As the founder and CEO of Cosmic Airbrush, he and his talented staff keep their hands full of constant work. You will see Dennis working long hours to keep up with the workload and to keep things running smoothly, but in this spare time, (if there is any), he makes time for his family, and carving tikis at his carving station he has set up at his island home. Nothing makes him happier than to knock out a 4 foot tall tiki on a Sunday afternoon.

You can see more of his work at www.cosmicairbrush.com or his fine art at www.cosmictiki.com.

![dennis matthewson painting][dennis2]

Starlight Children's Foundation

All frames collected by Aaron Brothers during the Great Frame Trade-In will be donated to the Starlight Children's Foundation, an organization that helps seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. Watch this video to learn more about the Starlight Children's Foundation:

Battle:LA Movie Trailer

Crayola Glow Dome

Crayola Crayon Maker

Crayola Glow Board

Tim Holtz - 12 Tags of Christmas 2010

Tim Holtz is sharing his annual holiday mixed media creativity on his blog through his 2010 "12 tags of Christmas." Each days he posts a new holiday tag with directions on how to create your own. If you're wondering "why tags?" here's Tim's response: "I guess the first reason is i like them. I like the shape of them, the versatility of them, and the ability to create something finished in a short period of time. They're fun to decorate with, fun to trade, and fun to use on gifts or even send in the mail."

To visit Tim's blog and see his "12 tags of Christmas," Click Here or go to http://timholtz.typepad.com.

HOLIDAY ACRYLIC PAINT BUCKET

Follow these steps to create your very own Holiday Acrylic Paint Bucket!

Materials Needed:

Paper: Sew Cute - Cheers
Paper: Sew Cute – Precious
Paper: Sew Cute – Enredeux
Paper: Sew Cute - Mulberry
Mod-Podge & Brush
Vintage Findings - Medium Kit - Fall
Permanent Adhesive Tape Runner
Vintage Findings Trims Cool
Vintage Findings - Copper
Ultimate Glue or Hot Glue Gun
Scissors

Step 1:

Using the 3 different tree (triangle) patterns, trace and cut out from a variety of the different papers.

![Step 1][step 1]

Step 2:

Using the Adhesive tape runner, attach the trees around the paint bucket overlapping and varying the sizes. (See photo above)

![Step 2][step 2]

Step 3:

Trace a circle using the pattern for the lid from one of the papers. Using Mod Podge, adhere it top of the lid.

![Step 3][step 3]

Step 4:

Dip the end of a paintbrush into Mod Podge and apply dots randomly, 3-4 at a time. Apply a sequin from the Vintage Findings Fall Kit to each glue dot. Continue around the bucket and let dry.

![Step 4][step 4]

Step 5:

Cut 3/4”x 7” strips of paper (6 total) for paper bow on top of lid. Fold over each strip to create a loop. Using the Adhesive tape runner, adhere the ends of each loop. When all 6 are made, position on the top of the lid to form a bow. Using Ultimate Glue or Hot Glue, adhere each loop in place. Finish it off by gluing a button onto the center of the bow.

![Step 5][step 5]

Step 6:

Cut lengths of ribbon and trim and tie around the handle.

![Step 6][step 6]

Step 7:

Glue bow to the top of the can

![Step 7][step 7]

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS GLASS CUBE

Use these steps to create a Christmas greetings glass cube!

Materials Needed:

Glass Photo Cube
Cavallini Paper 1 - Birds
Canson Mi-Tientes 707-2343 (#505 Red)
Distress Ink – Vintage Photo
Permanent Adhesive
Scissors
Photos

Step 1:

Remove insert from the glass cube to use as your pattern. Lay it on the Canson red paper, trace around the edges and cut out.

![Step 1][step 1]

Step 2:

Fold the 4 “flaps” in using the pattern as a guide. Unfold and lay flat.