by Matt Philleo | Oct 13, 2018 | Art Shows, Encouraging Thoughts
I’m still getting things back together in my studio from exhibiting at the Falling Leaves Art Tour, over the weekend. I had a great time! Sold several prints of my paintings and picked up a few commissions. I thank God for that!
Here was my display on a wall of stacked firewood. It’s always interesting to try to hang artwork on it…:)
The best part of all were the great conversations I had and being able to stay at my friend and fellow artist Ron La Blanc’s house in Augusta, WI and just hang out. Always a blessed time. They make me feel like part of the family. 🙂
Here is a photo I snapped of their backyard. The colors are just intense at this time of year!
Fall in Wisconsin can get cold! So we had a little outdoor wood stove to keep us warm!
Ron La Blanc’s son Travis supplied the muscle power to get the wood small enough to fit in!
Here is Ron chatting with a friend (and customer) about his pottery…
I prepared a few more prints of my painting “Smoldering Wick.” I sold one of them, and several others, at the show.
But soon enough, it was over. And now we have a regular wood stack again!
It was a wonderful weekend again this year. I’m looking forward to next year…it goes by very fast! Thank you to all who came out to the tour this year. God bless you!
Have a blessed day and I’ll be in touch,
If you have any comments or questions about what I wrote, please leave me your feedback below! I will personally get back to you. Can you help me spread the word? Please share this post with your family and friends by using the social media links on the side or below. Thank you!
by Matt Philleo | Sep 29, 2018 | Art Shows, Christianity & Culture, New Artwork
It’s amazing that just the weekend before last, my family and I were out camping in a tent. We thought we were doing some fall camping, but with temperatures of close to eighty degrees at night, it was still summer, for all intents and purposes.
But how the weather in Wisconsin can change on a dime. As I write, next week we’ll hit freezing temperatures at night. The days are getting shorter again. The trees are starting to see bright red patches in the middle of green. Fall is here.
And of course, for me, that means my biggest art show of the year is almost here: the Falling Leaves Art Studio Tour. It seems like it was just a few weeks ago when I pulled my paintings off the wood-stacked wall in my friend’s makeshift gallery space, nestled in the beautiful countryside of Augusta, WI. But soon I’ll be traveling over there again–next weekend–to set up. My goal is to get there early, and set up before the wee hours of morning. Every year it’s a bit different. The wood-stack is a little taller or deeper, and you never know how your art is going to hang on it. But there’s plenty of places to drive a nail!
Falling Leaves Art Tour, 2018 Matt Philleo setup at Ron LaBlanc’s home in Augusta, WI
I am looking forward to connecting with you and all the others who can make it out there this year. It’s always a great time.
Here are some of the new paintings I’ve been working on this year (or at least since the last art tour…) Some of these paintings will be at the show, along with a few that I don’t have room for in this post.
1. “Rebuilding the Broken
“Rebuilding the Broken, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas, depicting Nehemiah rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, an illustration by Eau Claire fine artist Matt Philleo for a book by Russell Stendal, published by Aneko Press, 2018
“Rebuilding the Broken, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas, depicting Nehemiah rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, an illustration by artist Matt Philleo for a book by Russell Stendal, published by Aneko Press, Copyright Matt Philleo 2018. This is a painting I did as an illustration for one of Russell Stendal’s books (published by Aneko Press) on the ancient Jewish governor, Nehemiah. He writes about how Nehemiah rebuilt the wall, and how as Christians, we too can rebuild areas in our lives that have been broken down. In fact, that’s something that God specializes in. Jesus came to save, not destroy people’s lives. He comforts the brokenhearted. In the painting, you can see Nehemiah holding a scroll as he surveys the work being done on the project. But he is there, with the people, not lording it over them like a lot of governors did (and still do.) God has a blueprint, a master plan for our lives. And He came down as a man, as Jesus Christ, to become one of us, and so he knows how we feel when we are hurting. But he is able to restore us again!
2. “Come as Children”
“Come as Children,” 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas portrait, Copyright 2017 by Matt Philleo, artist.
This is another cover illustration I did for Aneko Press on a compilation of Charles Spurgeons’ sermons on children. In the book, he shows that children are important, and we need to come to God like a little child, and treat the little children well. We need to take care of them and teach them. I decided to do a painting of my children when they were a little younger, based on a photo when we were walking in the woods. You can see their innocence and eagerness to travel down the path. I think that’s what God wants for us!
3. Commissioned 8″ x 10″ Portrait of a Young Woman
Commissioned portrait painted from a photo for Roger E., 8″ x 10″, acrylic on canvas, copyright 2018 by Matt Philleo, Eau Claire, WI
This is a commissioned portrait I did for a man in who lives near me, a painting of his wife. I used a series of glazes to slowly build up richness and depth on her face, hair, and sweater. I really like how this one turned out. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the process.
How to paint a realistic acrylic portrait of a young woman step by step using the glazing technique. 8 x10 acrylic portrait, copyright 2018 by Matt Philleo, Eau Claire artist
4. “Breakfast with the King”
“Breakfast with the King,” 11 x 14, acrylic on canvas copyright 2017 by Matt Philleo
Another illustration for a Russell Stendal book (Aneko Press) this is a painting that shows the scene in John 21: 1-14 where Jesus meets up with the disciples after His resurrection. He cooks a breakfast for them with a fire of coals, and then Jesus has that conversation with Peter where He restores him after his denial. I really wanted to emphasize the fire, showing that Jesus will build up the fire in our hearts, a passion for Him and His kingdom, if we’ll let Him.
5. “Strength to Rise”
“Strength to Rise”, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas by artist Matt Philleo, copyright 2017
I’ve been doing a lot of Bible scenes lately. This was yet another book cover illustration for Russell Stendal. By the way, the publisher gets to use the image for their book, but I keep the original paintings. So, if you are interested in any of these, just ask! In this painting, I illustrated the New Testament scene where Peter is on his way to the temple. There’s a crippled beggar by the entrance asking for a handout. Peter gives him a hand-up instead. “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6) The Bible says that instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong, and He got up, praising God. I think I would be too!Â
6. “Etched in Experience”
“Etched in Experience” 16″ x 20″, acrylic on canvas by Eau Claire portrait artist Matt Philleo, copyright 2018
In 2016, encouraged by some other artists, I started teaching portrait classes out of my studio at Artisan Forge Studios in Eau Claire. Then I had people online asking me if I would teach a class.
Finally, in 2017, I decided to teach portrait painting classes. My first student was an elderly woman in her mid 80’s. She was so excited, she mailed me a check for the tuition! Since that time, I’ve taught over 100 students how to paint realistic portraits in acrylic, and it’s been a great experience for me and for them.
This portrait was an example for my class specifically on painting realistic wrinkles in acrylic. One of the students sent me a photo of a distant relative. Actually, I asked my students to submit photos, and they voted on this one here. So I demonstrated how to paint wrinkles, using the glazing technique, building up value, color and detail step-by-step. I call this “Etched in Experience” because all the things this man has gone through in his life has, in part, created a story on his face, with every wrinkle.
7. “Accepted by the King”
“Accepted by the King,” an acrylic painting illustration of Queen Esther standing before the King, by artist Matt Philleo, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas. Copyright 2018, Matt Philleo
What would you do if you had one chance to save yourself and your family from death? That’s the opportunity that Esther had, along with all the pressure. In fact, if she failed in her mission, she would die. This is an illustration (yes, another book cover illustration for Russell Stendal published by Aneko Press) showing the ancient Jewish Queen of Persia as she stood before the king, having entered into his palace uninvited. If he was happy with her, she lived. If not, she would die. But in that fateful moment, amazed by her beauty and courage, he held out his scepter, and granted her request.
I think that’s how God will treat us. When we come into His throne room, dressed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, He will also give us mercy and favor. We can ask him anything!
8. “48” x 72″ Commissioned Portrait, in Progress”
Commissioned portrait of couple hiking in New Zealand, in progress, 48″ x 72″ acrylic on canvas, painting, copyright 2018 by Matt Philleo
Lastly, I want to show you this painting, a work in progress. You can read more about the beginnings of it here. This is my second largest painting I’ve ever done. It fills up almost half my studio! It’s a commission from a man in Brunei, who wanted a portrait done of he and his wife climbing beautiful mountains in New Zealand. I’d say it’s about 25%Â done right now. I thank God for all of His blessings, including this commission.
When it is finished, it will have to be packaged in a wooden crate to protect it in its long journey across the world. My goal is to have it finished by the end of October.
So, that a snapshot of a few of the paintings I’ve been working on this past year. I look forward to sharing them with you at the Falling Leaves Art Studio Tour!
If you have any comments or questions about what I wrote, please leave me your feedback below! I will personally get back to you. Can you help me spread the word? Please share this post with your family and friends by using the social media links on the side or below. Thank you!
by Matt Philleo | Dec 20, 2016 | Art Shows, Christianity & Culture, Encouraging Thoughts, New Artwork, Personal Inspiring Stories
Several times, I have wanted to give up being an artist. The end of last month was the most recent time.
After Thanksgiving, we had our “Small Business Saturday” sales event at Artisan Forge Studios.
But the day before I was very discouraged. The month of October and especially November were slow months, with not a lot of art sales or commissions.
Rent was overdue. Â Our landlord called, after getting a partial payment on rent, and he wanted to know when we would bring our account up to date. I didn’t know the answer to that question. I didn’t know what to do–and I had already tried everything I knew. I felt like throwing in the towel.
Sharing these sentiments with my wife, she matter-of-factly and truthfully advised:
“God has always provided. He’s not going to stop now.”Â
Feeling just a tiny bit better, I went to bed.
Artisan Forge Studios, 1106 Mondovi Rd, Eau Claire
The morning of the show I prayed, “God you’re a big God, so I am going to pray a big prayer. I pray that I would sell ‘Smoldering Wick’ (my biggest and most detailed painting, a 30″ x 40″ ) today at the art show.”
There was only a trickle of people that came in. But I smiled even though I didn’t feel like it and talked about the painting and the message behind it to whoever showed interest. During the middle of the show, two middle-aged men came in, and drawn to the painting, they asked me what it was about. They listened openly to the spiritual message behind it, and although they didn’t seem to quite share the same perspective I had, they loved the luminosity of the brushwork and the compassion portrayed by the people within the picture.
Then, out of the blue, one man said to the other, “So, do you want to get it?”
My ears perked up. And I thought, What did I just hear you say?
And they discussed where they were going to put it, and if I took credit cards. I told them I could take their card on the spot with Square. So we rang up the sale and it went through! “Congratulations!” I told them as I shook their hands.
After they left, I prayed “Lord, what did you just do? I asked for that painting to sell and you answered!”
Well, needless to say, my family had rent money.
I later learned that the collectors of this painting  just happened “by chance” to show up at Artisan Forge Studios that Saturday, the day of the show.
“Smoldering Wick”, 30 x 40, acrylic on canvas, 2016, by artist Matt Philleo of Eau Claire, in collector’s home.
The Lord has done this many times for us. You would think I wouldn’t worry, but I still often do. But my faith is growing little by little, and I’m amazed at what God does. And so, yes, it isn’t easy being a full time artist in some ways, but it’s an exciting ride! This is what I’ve been called to do. So I’m just stubborn enough to stick it out (with some encouragement from the right people) when many people maybe think I should have packed up my brushes a long time ago, and given up on the fantasy of being a full-time artist.
Although I’ve already posted some images of the painting on Facebook, I’ve had a lot of people ask what the painting “Smoldering Wick ” is all about. I will share more about that and the inspiration behind it down the road, but for now, I want to say it has everything to do with the “the Light of the World.”
Jesus is the “Light of the World.”
“The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” (Isaiah 9:2)
All of us were in darkness before Jesus came. Darkness in our sins, darkness in ignorance, or even willful disobedience. In my predicament here with the financial problem, I was in darkness. Not just the darkness of not having enough money to pay rent, but the despair of the feeling of hopelessness. Â A lack of faith.
I think Jesus may have said to me, like He said to Peter, “You of little faith. Why did you doubt?”
Nevertheless, He answered my prayer. I didn’t feel so confident when I prayed it. But God, in His mercy, answered it.Â
Now, should I have had more faith?
Yes.
But, God still answered my prayer, even with the little faith I had. Â And so it gave me more cause to thank God for how kind He had been to me, as I realized I got far more than my feeble faith deserved.
My wife, who teaches the children’s Wednesday night Bible class at church, used a line as a metaphor for faith. She shot out a line with a sticky end and reeled in the object she desired as the kids watched. As long as she continued to reel, she would get what was attached to the end of the line. But if she set down the line, because reeling it in (or trying to get the object to stick) was too hard, she would never get the object at the end.
This is a powerful picture of faith and I still remember it.
It doesn’t take a rope to reel in a big fish. You just have to keep reeling it in with the line you have and not give up.
But, now, I want to say more about the object of our faith: there are many objects we want to pick up at the end of that line. But whatever the object is–maybe a better job, a nicer car, a relationship restored, healing for a disease, even forgiveness of our sins–and these all  may be good things to desire–ultimately the goal of receiving these transient things is to receive the true object of our faith, Jesus Christ. In other words, when we see how good He has been in answering our prayers and providing for our needs in the midst of the struggle, we will see Him more clearly. His generosity, His kindness, His consistency, His love, His power to deliver, His glory will be unfolded to us. When we see Jesus for who He is, we will be amazed. Our natural response will be to thank Him, to praise Him. And I don’t think there’s anything that pleases Him more, than when we rejoice at who He is.
“Smoldering Wick” 30 x 40, acrylic on canvas by painter Matt Philleo, with Isaiah 42
“In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1: 4-5)
None of us have ever seen God, but we do “see Him” as we experience His truth in the Bible, coming alive as we read, believe, meditate upon, and live it out. We stand upon His promises and we watch them come to pass.
Jesus said as recorded in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus will breathe life into the smoldering wick: the soul with a flickering flame that still yearns to burn brighter.
May God’s riches blessings come to you this Christmas, as the Light of the World shines brightly upon your path!
Share Your Thoughts!
If you have any comments or questions about what I wrote, please leave me your feedback below at the very bottom of the page! I will personally get back to you. Can you help me spread the word? Please share this post with your family and friends by using the social media links on the side or below. Thank you!
by Matt Philleo | Dec 10, 2016 | Art Shows, Encouraging Thoughts, Personal Inspiring Stories
This Thursday, I was excited to see the copy of the local paper, the Leader-Telegram, and the article they did on the book I illustrated, “The Boy in a Tree.” They did a great job in highlighting the main message of the book: being content, trusting God like a child, and seeing the value that people with special needs can offer the world.
The Saturday before, the author and I held a book signing event at Artisan Forge Studios, and we had a great time chatting with people interested in the story, listening to their stories, and eating too many cookies.
Author Pam Boodle and Illustrator Matt Philleo sign copies of “The Boy in a Tree” at Artisan Forge Studios in Eau Claire, December 3, 2016.
“The Boy in a Tree” book signing at Artisan Forge Studios in Eau Claire, December 3, 2016.
It was also neat that I had a chance to see an old friend that I worked with at Sears from years ago and catch up with him.
Today, a woman who had read the newspaper article walked into my studio and  bought two copies of “Boy in a Tree” from me. We chatted for several minutes, sharing stories about the children in our lives who have special needs, and talking about how thankful we are that societal attitudes have changed so much in the last few decades towards differently able people.
“The Boy in a Tree” at Artisan Forge Studios in Eau Claire
I can recall a few years ago, when I had take take my son out of the store because he had a meltdown and, while trying my best to keep my composure, someone looked me in the eye and said, “Good job, dad.”
Just those three words made all the difference.
I thought, “this person gets it.” It gave me just a bit more of a spark, and I think helped ease the tension a bit. What an encouragement that person was.
So now when I’m in a store or other public place, and I see a child misbehaving, and I’m tempted to give a disapproving glance, or maybe even say something, I remember I don’t really know the child or the story behind that child. And, although I hate to say I was that judgmental person (I never said anything, but I sure thought it, and maybe I did give that ice cold glance unknowingly) since I’ve been there myself…
…it’s a different story now.
Share Your Thoughts!
If you have any comments or questions about what I wrote, please leave me your feedback below! I will personally get back to you. Can you help me spread the word? Please share this post with your family and friends by using the social media links on the side or below. Thank you!
by Matt Philleo | Nov 29, 2016 | Art Shows, Encouraging Thoughts, Personal Inspiring Stories
Ours is a society of youth. Technology is constantly changing; everything seems to be getting faster.
We’re constantly looking for the latest young celebrity, while the older ones are being pushed off to the side to make room for the new.
And those who are old are being propped up to look younger, so that they can still be an acceptable part of society.
Years ago, we used to appreciate and respect the grey-haired for their wisdom. The older people were the living links to the past: they could share historical events first hand, what they learned, and pass it on to the next generation. But recently, we have increasingly diminished their role in society, often leaving them in nursing homes with little to no contact with family.
Over Thanksgiving break, we went to see my wife’s grandmother in the nursing home. Although she didn’t remember us very well, I think she was thrilled to see her children, and especially her great-grandchildren. Our two year old daughter connected with her over a stuffed animal that she shared with great-grandma. Earlier, I visited my grandmother in the nursing home before she passed away a couple years ago. I am glad I did, and now I don’t have any regrets. Now my grandmother, too, at the end, was not very lucid and so it was a bit awkward to visit.
But even though she couldn’t communicate, who knows how much ideas, hopes, and aspirations were still circulating within her mind?
Here is an excerpt from the book I illustrated, “The Boy in a Tree.” As I’ve shared in the past, the story follows Nick, a boy with special needs who loves climbing trees throughout his life.
At the end of the book, we read how, as an old man, he is still dreaming…
Excerpt from “Boy in a Tree,” by Pamela Boodle and Illustrated by Matt Philleo, featuring Nick as an elderly man
Interestingly, the Bible shares that sentiment with us–that the elderly are vitally important, and have great ideas. They have excellent, lofty ideas that have been founded upon wisdom and experience–perhaps dreams that never made it to fruition–and now they lack the strength to carry them out.
It is for us in the next generation then, to carry on this torch, to retrieve the baton, and keep the vision of the previous generation alive.Â
We see that with Moses passing the baton to Joshua, who finally entered the promise land in his lifetime, even though for his predecessor, it was only a dream.
We see that with Martin Luther King, Jr., who we all know from history had a dream that the white man and black man would stand together in equality and harmony. We’ve made steps toward that as a society, but obviously, as we see in current events, have a long, long way to go. Although he was not elderly at the time he gave his famous speech, if he were still alive, he would be an old man today and his dream would still most likely remain unfulfilled. But the dream is good, and the hope of it lives on.
We see that with Simeon, in the New Testament, who was waiting the long-promised Messiah, the deliverer of Israel. He dreamed that one day He would get to see this child that would the change the destiny of nations in person, and for him, the dream became reality, when Joseph and Mary entered the temple to perform the cleansing and dedication ritual for their Son. The elderly Simeon held baby Jesus of Nazareth in his arms, and he knew that his hopes of the healing of the nation of Israel–and the world would be realized.
Jesus is the fulfillment of all good dreams.Â
Peace on earth, goodwill to men, and everything good that we long for, is found and will be found in Him–this perfect man and God, in the form a humble human servant, who ultimately demonstrated this posture of service in laying down his life for us on the cross, to bring us forgiveness of sin, and the restoration of humanity.
Finally, God Himself promised, “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17)
Hear the dreams and aspirations of the elderly. Maybe these dreams can become your dreams too, and even become a reality in your life.
Excerpt from “Boy in a Tree,” by Pamela Boodle and Illustrated by Matt Philleo, featuring Nick climbing a tree
If you live near the Eau Claire area, the author of “The Boy in a Tree,” Pam Boodle and I would love to have you come and visit us at our book signing event this Saturday, December 3. Â More about that here.
As we get into the Christmas season, may it be a blessed one for you and your family.Â
All the best,
Matt
Share Your Thoughts!
If you have any comments or questions about what I wrote, please leave me your feedback below! I will personally get back to you. Can you help me spread the word? Please share this post with your family and friends by using the social media links on the side or below. Thank you!
by Matt Philleo | Nov 25, 2016 | Art Shows, Encouraging Thoughts, How to Paint Instruction, My Art in Progress, New Artwork, Tips for Artists
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving. I know I did. It was rejuvenating to take a little time off from the studio, and spend it with family. Sometimes as an artist, you feel the crunch of having to create a lot of artwork, and your creative energies get tapped out. Thanksgiving’s a fantastic time to recharge, give thanks to God for all the blessings He’s given, be with family, and of course, eat a wonderful home-cooked meal.
Back to the studio tomorrow.
While teaching art classes lately, I’ve discovered one of the most challenging things for my students to learn is how to shade.
For artists and art appreciators, shading is a mysterious thing. We wonder how to do it, or how others did it.
Shading– the transition from a dark value to a lighter value in a two-dimensional work of art–is one of the most important techniques you can master to make a painting or drawing look realistic.
I’d like to share a video (hosted on YouTube) I created earlier this week about that, with you. This is my first art instructional video–in fact really the first serious video recording I’ve done, since the old days of playing around with a VHS-C camcorder with my buddies after school. We made some pretty crazy movies back then!
Somewhere towards the end of the video–maybe about 2/3 of the way through–is where I really get into it: how to do shading with acrylic and make it look real.
Hope you enjoy this video, and let me know if it helps you in your painting. Let me know, too, how I can improve it in any way, so going forward I can create some videos that are more helpful, or informative for you. Or maybe you don’t paint, but you are interested in the process of acrylic painting. Again, let me know if you’d like to see more stuff like this in the future!
And of course, as I always ask, please share this with your friends! Thanks!
Blessings,
Matt
P.S. I will have the painting featured in the video on display at the art show this Saturday at my studio. (1106 Mondovi Rd, in Eau Claire, 10-4pm)
Share Your Thoughts!
If you have any comments or questions about this post, please leave me your feedback at the very bottom of this page! I will personally get back to you. Can you help me spread the word? Please share this post with your family and friends by using the social media links on the side or below. Thank you!
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