by Matt Philleo | Mar 2, 2016 | Uncategorized
It all started back in 1991 at age 14, when my mom’s friend asked me to do a drawing of her friend who had passed away and paid me for it. Backing up just a bit, shortly before that I had just learned how to draw realistically from a photo. I had drawn OK up until that point, but suddenly, faithfully reproducing the details of a photograph “clicked” for me. Here is that commissioned portrait, a montage of several photos put together into one cohesive drawing.
My first commissioned drawing, 11 x 14, pencil on paper, 1991.
One of my first realistic drawings was of one of my favorite bands, Metallica. I did two of them, one of the whole band, and then one of the lead guitarist, James Hetfield. I don’t have that first drawing, but here is the second one–pencil on paper.
J_Hetfield, Pencil on Paper, by Matt Philleo, 1993
While doing that first drawing of Metallica, I was so engrossed in what I was doing that I don’t think I took a break for hours. My eyes were glued to the paper, close in so I could capture all the detail. I came downstairs after several hours of working. My pulled me aside and asked me, “Matt I need to talk to you. Are you, umm…on drugs?”
“Mom, you know me better than that!”
“Well, your eyes are all dilated.”
I then explained how I was drawing for hours (probably with poor lighting) and we both got a little laugh out of it.
But those realistic drawings, if I remember correctly, is what she showed to her friend, and that spurred on the first commission. I had a couple more from teachers in high school and one of my brother’s coworkers. Mostly by word of mouth, I was given and completed several commissions before graduating. This is what I wanted to do when I grew up.
Since then, I have done hundreds of portraits over the years, for folks to give to their loved ones on many different occasions. Birthdays, wedding anniversaries, Christmas, to commemorate lost loved ones, Mother’s Day, and “just because.” Here’s a few of my favorites:
How to Paint Acrylic Portraits Final-clear by Matt Philleo
Commissioned wedding portrait, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas, copyright 2015, by portrait artist Matt Philleo
“Williams Family Portrait,” 8 x 10, acrylic on panel by artist Matt Philleo
“Walking in His Footsteps”, 11 x 14, pencil on paper, by artist Matt Philleo
To celebrate 25 years of doing commissioned art, all commissions will be 25% off until March 25th!
If you are looking at having a portrait done (Mother’s Day is coming up soon :)) this would be a great time to get your order in. For more information on my portraits, please visit my official commissioned artwork site, www.traditionstudio.com or contact me.
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by Matt Philleo | Feb 15, 2016 | Art Shows
Recently I’ve shared about how I moved into a new art studio at the beginning of the year. It took some setting up, but I’m finally settled in. I’ve completed a couple paintings, a drawing, and working on two more paintings. God has been good to me. He’s provided rent for me (often just at the last minute) and I have room to work on big canvases like my current 48″ x 72″ project.
More on that later.
Right now though, I would like to invite you to my Open House event Saturday, February 20th, from 1-4 pm. I’d love to meet with you and chat, show what I’m working on right now and a few older pieces as well. There will be some hors d’ ouevres and refreshments.
It’s a little tricky to find my studio, since the address doesn’t show up on Google Maps yet, but here’s a map I made to help you out:
Fine Art by Matt Philleo @Artisan Forge Studios
1106 Mondovi Rd, Eau Claire, WI
Artisan Forge Studios Map, 1106 Mondovi Rd, Eau Claire, WI
I hope to see you there and thanks for supporting me as an artist!
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If you have any comments or questions about this post, 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 below. Thank you!
by Matt Philleo | Feb 4, 2016 | Encouraging Thoughts, My Art in Progress, New Artwork
Everybody has a calling; a unique reason for being here on planet earth.
It all starts with God as the foundation, since He created us, just like the engineer of a finely tuned watch knows what its purpose is.
And just like that watch will give honor to its maker by operating as it is supposed to, so will we, when we do what God has created us for.
In fact, the whole purpose of our lives is to bring glory to God.
The first and biggest way we can do that is accept the fact that we need Him and receive His forgiveness for our sins, His gift of eternal life to us through the accomplishment of His Son’s death and resurrection.
After that, step by step, we go on a journey to let the glory of God shine in our lives moment by moment, day by day, walking in dependence upon Him and bringing every blessing and every trial as a gift of thanks and a petition for help.
In the Bible, the prophet Elijah was about to be taken up to heaven. His special role as a messenger to God’s people would be transferred to His student and successor, Elisha.
These were big shoes to fill: Elijah had prayed for a drought to cause the nation of Israel to seek God again, and God shut up the heavens for three years. Elijah asked God to show His glory by fire on Mount Carmel so the Israelites would stop worshiping idols, and God sent the fire. And Elijah prayed again for it to rain, and sure enough, the parched, thirsty earth was given torrents of water to drink.
But as Elisha was seeing the amazing way the Lord provided for his teacher, he was being prepared to be used in the same way.
I met a wonderful gal at the Falling Leaves Art Studio Tour who connected me to another wonderful gal through this blog, who then connected me to a publisher in Abbotsford, WI. I was asked to paint an image of Elijah and Elisha for a book cover, and I thought it would be a great project.
It turns out the author of the book is a missionary that our church has supported for years! Here is the painting, titled “Picking up the Mantle.” It took about 25 hours to create. Below is a few in progress photos of the painting, leading up to the finished work ( I also have a video of the painting in progress as well):
“Picking up the Mantle,” 16 x 20, Acrylic on Canvas, by artist Matt Philleo–sketch
“Picking up the Mantle”
16 x 20, acrylic on canvas, by artist Matt Philleo–in progress
“Picking up the Mantle,” 16 x 20, Acrylic on Canvas, by artist Matt Philleo
In the painting, you see Elisha holding up Elijah’s cloak, or mantle, that he left behind for Elisha to pick up. The mantle represents Elijah’s special position as prophet, his unique calling, his anointing for service, and the power God had given him to carry out his duties. It was now for Elisha to carry on.
But you can almost see Elisha saying, “What now?” as his master is taken away. God had many adventures in store for him, but in this moment, he is simply awestruck.
The mantle is a symbol of what is being passed on to the next generation.
What are you–and me–passing on to our children and grandchildren?
I’d love if my kids achieve a certain level of success–all parents want that. But if they don’t have God–what good is it? My wife and I pray for my kids at bedtime, read the the Bible, and share the great things God has done for us. I want to do more of that. I want my kids to remember and think, “My dad sure had some issues, but one thing I know is that he really needed God and God came through for him. And God came through for me, too.”
What is your calling? Mine is to encourage. I don’t always do this well, but I know God has used me to encourage people and that is because He has encouraged me first. We love God because He has first loved us.
I finished this painting at the end of January, and then delivered it to the publisher after he decided to buy it in addition to purchasing the illustration rights of the image. That was a great blessing, because studio rent was due for the next month. God always brings in the provision just in time!
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by Matt Philleo | Jan 25, 2016 | New Artwork, Personal Inspiring Stories
I was recently asked to do a pencil drawing, a memoriam portrait for my neighbor Laura, whose boyfriend had just passed away several days ago. I had been to their home a few times, reading the Bible with them, and praying with them. Unfortunately, the man’s health was declining and he suddenly took a turn for the worse and was gone, at age 53.
It makes you realize how short life is. I’ve gotten to know quite a few of my neighbors and I’ve seen many of them pass away at younger ages than you’d like to see people go.
But when it’s time for someone to go, it’s time. Death is an appointment we all have to keep.
The Bible says “…it’s appointed for man once to die, and after this the judgment.” But we also have a great promise that Jesus Christ conquered death by suffering the penalty of sin–death–on the cross for our benefit. Then, He rose again to prove that the work was accomplished! All we have to do is trust in Him, what He did for us–taking the punishment of sin we deserve (death) and receive that benefit of eternal life. And the reason God sent His son to die for us is because He loves us!
Life is too short to avoid the risk of sounding a little preachy. If you’re reading this and don’t know Jesus, think about what I’m saying–what God is speaking to your heart. Take it in.
What sounds like bad news–the brevity of life or certain trials and difficulties–can become your greatest blessing.
Many blessings are hidden in things that look dismal, dark and unattractive. Diamonds look terrible as they’re drawn out of coal, but hidden in all that dark and dirty material is a gem waiting for the seeking person to find. Pearls are created through the irritation the clam experiences from sand within the shell. A forest fire leaves a wasteland behind, but it’s that very same scorched earth that is the perfect soil for new plants to grow in!
Sketch of Paul, 11 x 14, pencil on paper, by portrait artist Matt Philleo
This pencil portrait sketch of my neighbor Paul took me about 2 1/2 hours to do, an 11 x 14. I used the side of the pencil lead for most of the dark areas, and wiped with a tissue to blend it in. I prayed as I drew the picture that God would use it to comfort my grieving neighbor.
When I handed the drawing off to Laura (the bereaved) earlier this week, her eyes just lit up with joy and she gave me a big hug. She came by our house a couple nights ago again to thank me and asked my wife and I to pray with her.
My wife had been listening to her and encouraging her while I was away at the studio. We are praying that the God of all comfort would touch this dear lady and make His love so real to her in her time of need. If God leads you to do so, please pray with us. Thank you!
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by Matt Philleo | Jan 18, 2016 | How to Paint Instruction, My Art in Progress
For quite a while, I’ve wanted to do some instructional videos on painting and drawing. Here is my very first video! This is very off the cuff, and impromptu.
Basically, I’m just talking and showing you a behind the scenes peek as I work in my studio on a current painting commission, which is in progress, about 70% done.
In the future, I plan on doing more instructional videos, courses and live courses at my new studio at Artisan Forge Studios in Eau Claire. I don’t drink anymore, so who knows, maybe I’ll do a “Paint and Dip” event where you can create your own painting while enjoying a nice side of chips and homemade guacamole! ( l love guac and making it fresh from scratch!)
This video does cut off abruptly–which I do apologize for–but let me know me know what you think!
(Click the link below to see this video on my YouTube channel)
How to Paint Highlights in Acrylic
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If you have any comments or questions about this post, 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 below. Thank you!
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