Painting from the soul

test

A taste of a book I'm working on in concept

PAINTED STORIES ~ The Artwork of John Matlock.

Behind every painting there is a story. Within each painting that story takes on layers like the paint on the surface. Each story is set in its own place and unique time and captured with in the paint. Walk with me through these stories if you would. Escape with me into the paint and allow your senses beyond sight to take over. Smell, sounds, tastes and temperatures are all there if you allow yourself to explore the boundaries of your imagination and open your mind.

Untouched

In a darkened basement of an abandoned cabin near the New England coast lays things untouched. What was once years ago a workshop with ideas plentiful now has become a place of collecting, a place of forgetting. Projects, thoughts, and dreams have been placed aside forever on its shelves. Cobwebs now decorate the corners of this wood beam basement with only the sound of water dripping through the neglected cracks of the ceiling. The damp, musty, air hangs heavy with the scent of aged paper from books that have long become obsolete. Its only visitor is the sunlight for a few short hours each day. It shines through this small window breathing life into the room giving us a glimpse of what was and what used to be. But with each sunset brings the reminder that this place will remain long forgotten and untouched.

http://www.johnmatlockartwork.com/

About Me

There are some of you who know me by name or work association. Then there are those who know me through friendship, there may not be anyone who truly knows who I am. I am John Matlock and in June of this year 2010 I turn 43. I am a firm believer of Fate and destiny. You can direct yourself in life too where you want to be but fate can change all of that in the blink of an eye. Destiny pulls us like a passenger while fate steers us in our life's direction. My direction? well, I'm still wondering that myself. I do have goals and ambitions with my artwork and truly believe that is my destiny. I've sort of bounced through life for as long as I can remember, pondering constantly where I'd end up. I can remember in 4th grade thinking what will my life be like when I'm older and out of school. My teacher called me a day dreamer. Far from it as I was 9 years old  thinking about what will become of me at the age of 40? Well I made it through school and some college schooling as well. I bounced from job to job and settled into a comfortable position with a well known Western MA. company with a strong recognizable brand name. I happily worked there for 11 years using my artistic talents with my job. This was where I belonged in the working world, or so I thought. I am now no longer with that company as fate has steered me away from it. I am also a strong believer of standing up for yourself when the time calls for it. Pride I can put on a shelf  temporarily and painlessly, but when it's your character that's under assault by persons who have to falsify to justify the ends? Sorry I wont take that from anyone. I know my worth and what I put into my work. And knowing that I will never , ever let anyone stick a finger in my face and tell me I'm worthless. Losing the money was tough, keeping my soul was my choice. And for those who couldn't recognize my worth I'm sure one day you'll be put in my position as well, budget and payroll cuts will haunt you as well no doubt so enjoy the ride, karma is unavoidable.  Now I start over with a new company shortly. I plan to work for them as I have for others in the past and hope they'll see my worth. I apologize if this seems like I'm venting and yes I am a little, but it's closure on one part of my life and the start of new opportunities as well. That being said I've several venues for my art work lined up. Currently my work is on exhibit at Baystate Medical Center of Springfield MA. At the Daley entrance in the hallway leading to MRI. 24 pieces on exhibit through July 15th 2010. I am also running a sale of 25% off everything on my website through Fathers day. Contact me first through my website if you're interested in a painting, I will have to get approval to take a piece from the exhibit early. You can also find me on the links listed below. I wish all of you luck in any hopes goals dreams or endeavours you are seeking
 ~ John Matlock

http://www.johnmatlockartwork.com
http://twitter.com/JohnMatlockArt
http://www.facebook.com/johnmatlock

My Artists News Letter March edition

"News from the studio"

March Edition 2010

Well were on the tail end of winter and spring is just around the corner.


I again would like to thank you all for making this month again the highest traffic month ever on my website eclipsing last month's new high.


Gallery Exhibit

First up for March Starting Saturday March 6th I will be representing my artwork at JH Miller Picture Framing & Gallery (413) 732-9128

86 Elm St West Springfield, MA. I hope this will be an ongoing relationship with them.



In the Works

I've been quite busy as of late adding two more new paintings to my Nostalgic portfolio. Radio Days ~ seen in the Photo above, and "The Old Victrola" ~ a representation of music and the vintage phonograph it was played on in its time. Currently I've started on a new piece with a touch of the Big Band era.

Speaking of Radio, in the days preceding television the family's sole source of entertainment was the radio. Parents and children would gather around the small wooden box and delight to such programs as the Green Hornet, The Shadow, and Lil' Orphan Annie. And to remind you of just how powerful radio programs gripped their listeners there was a News Report in 1938 about a strange object that crashed outside of a farm in New York State, the program was Orson Wells "War of the Worlds" and so believable it was to listeners that it caused a nationwide panic! Now we have television, cable and the internet to that for us.





Paying it forward

In the past months I've heavily promoted my website in the hopes of advancing my artwork and reaching new goals. This month I would like to pay it forward and introduce you to some other artists worthy of recognition, please give them a look if you could.

http://www.alfredcurrier.com

http://www.nancyguzic.com

http://www.kathleenheger.com

caliber316.deviantart.com

Mleigh Art ~ found on facebook


They are all great artists in their subjects and mediums.



Upcomming exhibits


Baystate Medical Center of Springfield MA. early may to Mid June



2nd annual John Matlock home art show. West Springfield MA. Early July.



The Old Deerfield Fall Arts and Crafts Fair ~ September 18, 19.



43rd annual Scituate arts Festival, North Scituate RI Columbus day weekend Oct. 9,10, and 11.



I will update you on any change of dates or new events as they approach.



Reminder:

Remember that March 14th is daylight savings time and to spring forward 1 hour!

Also as you heard on the old radio, Be sure to drink your Ovaltine! Sorry I just couldn't resist!



I'm making a commitment to all of you who have helped and supported my art endeavors via your friendship and patronage. I'm making a commitment to you to bring you more impactful and thought provoking artwork in 2010 and years to come.

My goal is to provide you all with the opportunity to view my artwork, comment on it and to please share with your friends and families. With birthdays, anniversaries and weddings around every corner, please consider the unique, thoughtful gift of an original piece of art. It's a gift that can speak volumes over others. I will happily take on any personal commission works including pet portraits, houses, and themed murals.

Please feel free to visit my website http://www.johnmatlockartwork.com at any time.



Should you ever wish to unsubscribe, simply email me and you will immediately be removed from the mailing list. No hassles or confusion.

And, along those lines, be assured that I will never sell,

rent, trade or share your subscription information with

anyone. I value the privacy of your email and you will never receive unsolicited email because of your decision to subscribe.



I hope that you've enjoyed this month's news letter and will share it by forwarding it to your friends and family. My goal is to build a bigger audience for my artwork. So far it has been successful with the help of friends and patrons such as your selves. I'd also like to wish you all a happy, safe and prosperous .



Acrylics artist John Matlock

495 Prospect Avenue

West Springfield Ma. 01089

http://www.johnmatlockartwork.com

http://www.facebook.com/johnmatlock

http://twitter.com/JohnMatlockArt

http://johnmatlockartwork.blogspot.com

Doing what I love

Some years back 14 to be precise I attended 20 to 25 art shows a year selling my work or attempting to I should say. I am my fathers son as he did the same in his lifetime with great success.. After his passing I stepped away from art for 13 years and woke up about a year and a half ago. Painting is my passion once again.The outdoor art show is a funny, fickle thing, The weather can change your fortunes as well as the economy within that year. I miss doing them. I've met so many talented artists, some of which were close friends with my father and still doing the shows to this day.. There's just something about it ....You load up your van with your artwork, supplies, display racks, and tent just before daybreak. You hit the road with hardly a soul in sight. Your destination is to any town USA? Portland Maine, Mystic Connecticut, Rutland Vermont, Scituate Rhode Island .... the list goes on. You arrive early get out and stretch your legs.. The sun's just rising now as you register at the exhibitor booth and begin your day.. All types of trucks , vans , and trailers start to arrive from every state in New England, the sounds of laughter and some frustration as exhibitors hustle to get their displays in place .. tent legs clanging, hammers banging spikes into the ground.. You've finished now, your work is hung up , you've got your coffee, and congregate with the other artisans to talk about other shows, artists, and the occasional off color joke. Now it's show time. I've done it in all weather, Torrential Rains, 100 degree heat, heavy winds, mixed rain and snow .... hell I even set up in Ogunquit Maine one year with a hurricane sitting just off the coast! But no matter the situation, town, or weather ? You're out there .... You're an artist and the only person your working for is yourself! No time clock to punch, no managers to answer to ... In this time YOU'RE in charge and win lose or draw I love this feeling and wouldn't want it any other way ... I am an artist like my father before me .. It's in my blood ...

Why did I become an artist?

Thomas Everett Matlock: My Father , Coach , and Artist

Some one posted this a week or so ago? I've thought it over and I guess you could say it's in my blood? My father was a Senior Master Sergent in the United States Air force and served 20+ years, retiring in 1970. While we were stationed in Ramstien Air Force Base in Germany he took lessons in any free time he had from a local "Gypsy' named Segoin. No really he lived in a horse drawn cart in the woods and some country side areas. My father learned to paint landscapes from this man and in time sold his art through out the 70's and did quite well with a family of 6. Granted my mother worked also but his sales were good. I grew up watching him paint as did my 2 older brothers who both have artistic ability. I drew as far back as I can remember. My brother Jim and I would get up on Saturday mornings at 6:00 to watch a show called Capt. Bob on public television. He had a gimmick of looking like an old sea captain with a white beard and a strong Rhode Island accent. He drew wild life, birds, bugs, you name it but with crayons and you could follow step by step with him at home.So there it begins? In grade school I seemed to have a better grasp of art than most other students and this carried on through High school, although I have to say I attended high school with some very talented artists!

College showed me just how many talented people there are out there. Pencil and Pen and Ink were my strengths, learning to paint came later. I found Acrylic paints to be my choice over Oils which was my dads medium. In the mid to early 90's I found my self layed off from a decent paying job that I really despised, (Federal Police Officer) but that's another story. So I decided to start painting different things .... weird things? surreal, fantasy, the kind of things that were hard to sell of course. I did many out door art shows during the 90's and I sold some .. My artwork slowly progressed towards Marine life, I then mixed in wild life and eventually New England themed Barns and landscapes and seascapes. My Father influenced me the most and helped me with the business side of art. As much as I love to make Money off my paintings and who doesn't these days I found recently that aside from the income I truly love to paint, I get involved emotionally with every painting I do, placing myself in the painting as if I were walking in it. My father passed 13 years ago but not before teaching me life's lessons, painting and art business. He also left me his painting easel. It's about 50 years old and coated in 2 generations of paints from he and I combined. I became an artist because I was meant to become an artist, Because I love to paint, draw, what have you.. I became an artist because I love it.

You can view all my artwork current and old at http://http://www.johnmatlockartwork.com/ please visit, look around and leave me a comment. Please sign my guest book so I may add you to my mailing list and monthly newsletter as well.

I thank you all for reading this far ~ John Matlock