Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Bielen.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, originally looking to become an illustrator, but was advised by teachers not to paint myself into a corner (no pun intended) by limiting my aim. I enrolled in what I thought was an anatomy class to try and hone my figure drawing skills, but later learned that the class was titled, “The Anatomy of Drawing”. There, I met Bill Flynn, a teacher who literally changed the way I see everything. He showed me that there is far more drama to be found in drawing from life than simply depicting the obvious. I reveled in the abstraction of negative space and free association, quickly veering from my originally intended course.
Please tell us about your art.
I create abstract art, using acrylics and mixed media on canvas and paper. I intuitively lay down fields of color and then build up forms that require a push and pull aesthetic mentality. I don’t have a single, clear reason why I do what I do. I just know that I need to do it. When I hit a wall in some aspect of my work, I move onto something else that seems to resolve problems.
For the past few years, I’ve been infatuated with the natural and human history surrounding coastal New England. All of the knowledge and fleeting experiences that I accrue indelibly seep into my work. The abstracted forms that emerge from my art aren’t always so easily recognizable or explainable, but the work for me has become an unintelligible, visual language that explains an emotion, when words can’t.
I hope that people are, at the very least, able to take a feeling from my work. I don’t expect everyone to love or even understand, it; much of the time I don’t. But, if a piece of art can spark an idea or even just make someone think twice; that can be enough. I think people should know that it’s okay not to have all of the answers.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
I’ve never been the type of person who minds being alone a lot. But, being an artist can naturally incite feelings of loneliness or alienation. My advice to other artists, lonely or not, is to be around other artists, in any capacity that you can. Take a drawing or writing class, or just go to a party where like-minded people might be. Creative energy is contagious.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My work can be seen at:
Larkin Gallery, Provincetown, MA,
Post Office Gallery, North Truro, MA,
Bicycle Fine Art @ The New York Design Center, NYC
2nd Solo Exhibition:
July 13, 2018
Larkin Gallery, Provincetown, MA
Contact Info:
- Website: www.matthewbielen.com
- Email: Bielen37@Gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/matthewbielenartist
- Facebook: Facebook.com/matthewbielenart
Image Credit:
Matthew Bielen
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