Today we’d like to introduce you to Miguel Jose Matos.

Hi Miguel Jose, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?

Born in London England and raised in the island of Puerto Rico i was exposed to a multicultural and diverse community full of colors and magical anecdotal towns with starlike characters that spiced life with metaphors and allegorical realities. Always exposed to art, music and suffered the luck of attending and suffering a Jesuit education. Arriving in the USA to attend college in Boston, my first venture in to the cultural lifestyle of the Northeast. The vagaries and contradictions I stumbled on were many with sharp edges and dull moments that sharpened a sense of mission and purpose.

Then by surprise and accident i ended up with a career in real estate finance having served in some of the top banking groups in the Northeast USA. I specialized in the ins & outs of construction lending. Since Banks had to reinvest in the communities they served, by law, I served as a conduit for the Banks to meet their Community Development finance goals. Working with grass roots community groups we were able to assemble some creative financing tools that resulted in affordable housing, retail development and overall wellness for low and moderate income homesteads.

During this time period i received recognitions from State and City leaders resulting in Commissioner, Director and other. appointments.

Then I watched the movie Radiant Child…..

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Serving a long term career in the world of corporate America is not a smooth road. Potholes arose along the corporate way full of confusing traffic signals often bathed in a light of higher expectations because of race or ethnic origin. So had to work and focus harder, with highs/low moments that leave imprints in your soul and stamina. For me the corporate cultural experience left me jaded full of satirical notes and a arrogance. The career success that short-changed me as a person was turned around by art.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

I mostly work in acrylics on canvas. I also work in mixed media, in the form of upcycled art. I consider myself a process artist, as in, I don’t generally begin a painting with a picture of the final product in my head. For me, beginning a painting is beginning a conversation between the artist and their art. The paint brush typically guides me each step of the way. Sometimes a theme, or person, will visit me in a dream, and won’t leave me alone until I interpret that into a painting. I’ll know when a piece is finished, when it tells me to stop painting.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?

The goal with my art is not to become famous. The creative act is simply a driving force, something inside of me that needs to be expressed on a daily basis.

Pricing:

• My work is reasonably priced. I don’t see a need in attaching an astronomical price to my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.parkvilleartgallery.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matosmigueljose
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miguel.j.matos.1
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ParkvilleArtGallery