About Matthew Watts

Matthew Watts studied at West Surrey College of Art and Design and has worked as a graphic designer and artist since the late 1990’s. His work has been displayed in galleries in both Bath and Bristol, UK. His paintings are primarily portraits and figurative pictures. Working in the highly diverse medium of oil, the aim is not to create a picture of a particular person, rather it explores the process of mark making, colour and the paint itself, in an endeavour to create an image that will stand on its own.  Often working from life or found images, these starting points are not transposed onto a surface but are used as a jumping off point. It is hoped that the qualities of the paint and mark making will create an energy that supplants likeness or realism. Ultimately it’s an attempt at going beyond an image that is demonstratively decorative but rather create a picture that is its own source of energy. The subject matter of people drives this vision since the image can be abstracted without losing a connection to the subject. I look for the energy and life force in the person. Matthew currently lives and works in Bath, UK.