matthew christopher byrne
soft pastels, bold impressions: a student artist's journey
"Everyone is an artist. Go out and create."
- Matthew Byrne
Tell us a little about yourself! When did you first become interested in art?
After moving to Norristown in 2016, we found GNAL and started taking classes. At first it was just to fill time but I remember taking a charcoal class and I had a blast. I got black dust all over myself. It was all over my hands and I got it on my face, and I loved it. I had remembered drawing as difficult and had always been frustrated that I couldn't get onto paper what was so perfectly displayed in my head. But here I had used charcoal and actually rendered something that looked vaguely like what I had in mind. It opened up very powerful possibilities.
What inspired you to begin taking art classes, and what brought you to GNAL?
My partner Brittany has always been an artist. She went to college for it and I've always been fascinated by her creativity. When we moved to Norristown she found GNAL, and we took classes together so that we could spend time together. We still take classes together, but now I have my own passion for art.
What artistic mediums do you enjoy working with most, and what draws you to them?
I love soft pastels. They're dirty and messy and you get to work with your hands. I also enjoy how quickly you can work. You can go from a blank page to a filled canvas in a very short amount of time. That's also why I like acrylics. You can layer acrylics. Eventually soft pastels get too muddy if you layer on too much, but with acrylics you can layer as much as you like. Watercolors are great, but they're so mercurial. They're easy to mess up, but if you're careful you can achieve really amazing results.
Where do you find inspiration for your artwork? Are there particular artists, places, or experiences that influence your creativity?
The subjects that I paint tend to provide much more immediate and tactile inspiration for me than contemporary or historical artists, or at least impress upon me in ways that are easier for me to describe. Water provides interesting challenges for rendering in paintings, especially moving water. Trees and mountains can be massive and overwhelming. Buildings can introduce straight lines into an otherwise non-linear world. I look for subjects that can tell a story. Besides the subjects that I paint, my teacher Doug Tweddale has been an enormous influence on both my style and my technique.
How would you describe your artistic style, and how has it evolved since you first started creating?
When I began to paint I tried really hard for realism and focused on improving my ability to render. Once I had developed the basics, I began to work more toward an impressionistic style. I try to give myself as many creative choices as I can with the subjects that I paint and I try to tell a compelling story while not getting lost in the details.
Is there a particular piece of artwork you've created that holds special meaning for you? What's the story behind it?
There is a painting of Bryce Canyon that I created a few years ago that shows the canyon from its base with the walls towering overhead. It was the first time that I felt like everything clicked. The sky is loose and bold, the rocks have form and shadow, and the focal point is alive with color.
What has been your biggest artistic challenge, and what have you learned from overcoming it?
Getting too focused on the end result and not focusing enough on the process. I think every artist at one point or another worries about what their painting will look like when it's finished, or what people will think about it; they worry about what people will think about their work. Once I switched to soft pastels I found I was able to work through each piece much more quickly than I had before, and one consequence was that I had less time to think about other people or even the end result. I am able to spend more of my time thinking about the process and as a result I enjoy painting so much more. I also find that this works as a sort of positive feedback loop--the more art you create the less you worry about the result and the more you get to enjoy it.
How has your experience at GNAL influenced your artistic journey or helped you grow as an artist?
Taking classes at GNAL introduced me to art, then taught me the basics, and introduced me to a class where I can get feedback on my work and learn more about what other people are doing. Being able to talk to other people about what they like to paint and what inspires them is great. I also get to meet all sorts of interesting people.
What are you excited to explore or accomplish next in your artistic journey?
I want to paint bigger, and more boldly. I want to try and fail in new and interesting ways. I want to try telling different stories.
What advice would you give someone who wants to try art but feels intimidated or believes they aren't creative?
Everyone is creative, and everyone has a different way of expressing their creativity. It takes time and effort to explore different mediums to determine what creative outlet is right for you, and that can be scary. But it's actually the most fun part of a creative journey. Be curious and take an art class.
