We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Matthew Bird a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Matthew, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a customer success story with us?
I didn’t know much about the small town of Ménerbes in southern France, outside of a Ridley Scott film and a book by Peter Mayle. But I was immediately intrigued when a collector requested a special still life for her petite château in the heart of Provence.
Whether painting a portrait or a still life, I will typically travel to the client’s location which provides an understanding of their unique style and the surrounding for the painting. I like to get a sense of the individual, their personality, and living space, if possible.
In this case, the commission was for a still life featuring local, Provencal items. The client was also partial to the color red. Other than that, it was almost a “blank canvas” and my goal was to merge her affinities with my painting style. I traveled to the home, which was on a hill overlooking the town of Ménerbes, a village in the Luberon Valley.
There I collected items from the local markets, including red peonies, which, up until then, I had never seen before. The still life arrangement turned out to be much larger than I anticipated. After spending time in the room where the painting would hang, and seeing how high the ceilings were, I realized the scale needed to increase in order for the painting to really work properly in the space. Once I compiled all the reference sketches and photos I would need to complete the final painting, I returned to my studio to begin the final stages.
The style I am known for incorporates chiaroscuro techniques (the use of strong contrasts between light and dark) coupled with careful attention to detail. My artwork reveals the inherent beauty of my subjects, each carefully studied with precision and clarity. Portraits that capture the soul, and still life paintings that reveal overlooked beauty.
I believe that paintings, no matter how grand or humble, are inherently significant as human expressions of what is praiseworthy, and deserve the skill, time, and knowledge required to paint them.
“This Provencal Life” is one of the largest still life paintings I’ve ever done. The collector loved the final result and it now hangs beautifully above her fireplace.
No matter where my travels take me, I strive to create beautiful artwork that reflects my client’s interests, affinities, and personality. Whether it’s a traditional portrait or a still life of collectibles, I will elevate and highlight the inherent beauty of the things you enjoy most in life.
Matthew, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, I graduated with honors from the Pratt Institute of Art in Brooklyn, New York, in 2000. I am a Signature Member of numerous organizations, including the National Watercolor Society where I served as vice president, and my award-winning watercolor paintings have been exhibited in juried shows across the United States, as well as in Canada, China, Greece, Hong Kong, and Italy. My work is in permanent museum collections as well as numerous private collections.
The subject matter of my figure and still life paintings communicate my deep love and respect for nature and life. Some paintings stem from a joy or narrative that is from my own experiences. Other pieces reflect the simple beauty I find in everyday objects composed together. I have focused on developing my craft to capture the beauty of what surrounds me with precision and clarity; and strive to convey that to all people through the universal language of representational art. It is my desire that when others see my work they may be inspired by the perceptible signs of the real Creator.
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When it comes to commissioned artwork, it’s important to find the right balance between the clients vision and my personal aesthetic. Too far in either direction can lead to one party being unsatisfied. People come to me because they love what I do, and when I have the freedom to create towards a specific goal, beautiful things happen!
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
I have a lovely group of collectors that receive a newsletter previewing new and upcoming work. They see what I’m working on before everyone else and get “first dibs” at whatever is on the easel. My fans love my work and repeat buyers are a huge part of a successful studio.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.matthewbird.com
- Instagram: _matthewbird_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MatthewBirdStudio
Image Credits
All images ©Matthew Bird