by Matt Philleo | Jan 13, 2016 | Uncategorized
It’s been a little while since my last post. The craziness of the holiday season is over now, and it’s time to get back to writing.
Lately, I’ve been busy setting up my new studio at Artisan Forge Studios. (1107 Mondovi Rd., Eau Claire, WI–across from Walgreen’s on Clairemont Ave)
It’s easy to underestimate the amount of work it takes to move your business, equipment, and supplies, even out of a 9′ x 13′ room. But stuff had been accumulating for a while tucked neatly (sometimes) onto shelves, but once the shelves came down I realized half of it isn’t needed and it’s not coming to the new studio.
My crowded old art studio.
A lot of mess!
This is really the first time I’ve moved anything major in over 13 years. Even though it’s not a whole house move, I forgot the dynamics of moving and all the downtime involved.
My new studio room is a 12′ x 12′. It’s a little bigger than my old 9′ x 13′ studio, if you measure by the floor plan, but vertically, it’s like comparing the Wells Fargo building in Eau Claire to the Sears Tower. My old home studio just clears my head at about 6 1/2 feet, but the new studio is nearly 10 feet tall. Goliath’s head would just barely be touching the ceiling of my new studio, whereas in my old one he would look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame! I’m glad to have this extra space for storage and working on larger canvases.
My studio at Artisan Forge, 1107 Mondovi Rd, Eau Claire, before painting.
The new studio is great, but I wanted to “tweak it a little” to make it my own. I didn’t care for the boring grey color it was painted in, so I freshened it up with two-toned off white and chocolate brown, separated by a white stripe, mimicking a chair rail. The colors are close to my business/website colors and they’re a lot brighter to reflect the light in the studio. The more light there is, the easier it is to paint and draw!
My studio at Artisan Forge after painting.
After letting the paint dry, my next step was to put up shelving. I reused some neat metal shelves with adjustable brackets from my mother-in-law’s old house (Thanks, Mom!) that are kind of like the shelves you see in department stores. Very handy.
My main shelves.
Oh, actually, before that, I did reassemble my drafting table, and my palette shelf on wheels. I love this drafting table. I got it from a friend and church over 10 years ago. It’s better to work on than an easel for smaller canvases.
Got my wind up clock going again too, after sitting in our basement for 6 years. Hopefully hearing it chime on the hour will help keep me productive.
Display wall and clock reminding me to get some work done!
One of the walls in the studio will be reserved just for displaying new art. They will also give me a little display space outside my studio too. I’m excited to have a place to show my art publicly, meet with new clients, and people in the community.
I’ve already met some cool people. One of my studio neighbors makes
bead creations, the other is a sculptor. There’s an architecture/ design firm there and a guy and gal who make
really amazing custom guitar pedals featuring unique sounds you can’t get anywhere else.
I’ve prayed and dedicated this room to God, to be used to serve His Kingdom purposes and for His glory. I want to continue to do paintings that bring encouragement founded upon the truth of the good news of Jesus Christ and Biblical principles, and even more than I have. I’m looking forward to meeting people in the community, sharing ideas, collaborating on projects, teaching, and gaining inspiration from the other artists who work and exhibit here.
This morning, I finally got my shelving set up, and am officially at work. I modified this TV stand into a palette cart/ paint shelf. It’s on wheels, and just the right size to hold my palette while I paint, and all my paint below. It tool a little work to cut wood to size for the shelving and screw it in, but it’s done and the sawdust is swept off the floor.
My new studio at Artisan Forge Studios, 1107 Mondovi Rd, Eau Claire, WI 54703
This afternoon, I worked on a couple sketches for portrait and illustration commissions. It felt good to finally be doing art and not carpentry!
My drafting table and easel.
Thank you everyone for all your wonderful, encouraging comments throughout this transition. I plan on having an open house event in the not too distant future. I will keep you posted on that, and of course, you’re all invited!
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by Matt Philleo | Dec 30, 2015 | My Art in Progress, New Artwork
Several weeks ago, I drove to Boyd, WI to drop off a colored pencil portrait of a black lab for a client. When I went to knock on the door, I was surprised to see a complete stranger standing in front of me. For a second, I thought I had the wrong house!
It turned out, the lady standing in front of me was to be my next client. She was a friend of the lady whose black lab (and blue merle) I had drawn. After we were introduced and having seen that drawing, she wanted one done of her dog, too.
So here it is: This is “Sydney,” her golden retriever, a drawing in memory of her. 16 x 20, colored pencil on paper. I also included a couple in progress shots as well. I used to do colored pencil drawings all the time back in high school–it’s nice going back to my roots!
“Sydney” In progress–sketch
I start off with a regular No.2 graphite pencil, and then fill in key areas of contrast with a sepia tone colored pencil. The key is to keep the tip very sharp!
“Sydney” In Progress, 30% complete
Then I work my way left to right, starting with cooler, darker tones, and finishing with warmer, lighter tones. Working from left to right keeps what I’ve already drawn from smudging.
“Sydney”, 16 x 20 colored pencil pet portrait by artist Matt Philleo
And here is the final portrait. I dropped it off right before Christmas–my client was happy and told me it looked just like her. Let me know if you’d like a pet portrait done too, or know someone who does!
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by Matt Philleo | Dec 19, 2015 | Uncategorized
I was doing a little cleaning when I discovered a CD that had a file saved on it I thought was lost. It was the image of this drawing here, a commission I did back in 2010. If I remember correctly, this was the drawing I did for a gentleman at my church–the commission that helped bring in the rent money when I was a month behind. I’m glad I found this portrait again–it’s one of my favorites!
He wanted to commemorate his parents wedding anniversary–I think it was their 70th, but again, this was 5 years ago, so I’m not sure.
This is an 11 x 14 pencil on paper drawing, and it took over 20 hours to complete. I got a really great scan of this drawing that captured the detail and texture of the graphite in the paper. First is the entire drawing and then below that are some close-ups…thanks for looking!
Custom Pencil Portrait by pencil portrait artist Matt Philleo
In the detail below, we see them at the time of their wedding, along with an image of their church.
Custom pencil portrait drawing by artist Matt Philleo, detail
Custom Pencil Portrait drawing by artist Matt Philleo, detail
Below, of course, is the picture of this couple when they are well advanced in years. In the lower right is an image of the family farm.
Custom Pencil Portrait drawing by artist Matt Philleo, detail
And here’s the detail of that.
Custom Pencil Portrait drawing by artist Matt Philleo, detail
I love doing custom commissioned portraits like this, where I can incorporate elements that are near and dear to the people being portrayed. When they receive this as a gift, it is extra special to them, to not only have a portrait of the two of them, but to proudly display the longevity of their marriage and interweave them into the surroundings of their lives.
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by Matt Philleo | Dec 14, 2015 | Personal Inspiring Stories
Last week, I shared part of my story on how I became a professional artist.
Here is “the rest of the story.”
Instead of just calling it, “Part 2,” I want to title this post according to the main problem I faced, which at the time was not having enough money for rent. I hope that my experience can encourage you, too, if you are going through a rough time right now.
The sketch shown above is a quick drawing I did that reminds me of Job–that man in the Bible who suffered probably like no one else on this earth ever did, except maybe Jesus and the apostle Paul. Great story of going through a trial and coming out on top! I encourage you to read it sometime.
My story was nothing like that, but I sure felt like Job when I was going through it. Maybe you have, too.
After my sales/service job was downsized during the great recession of 2008, I had made the choice to go into doing artwork full time. At first things were great. Several people in my church asked me to do portraits for them and business was rolling along. And then…
My commissions ran out around September of 2009. It didn’t take long to fall behind on bills. We were almost two months behind on rent. Things were not looking good. I thought, “maybe I need to scrap this whole artist thing and get a real job.”
However, my wife advised: “You need to do what God has called you to do. We need to fast and pray.”
“How long?” I asked. I didn’t like fasting.
“However long it takes!”
So we fasted and prayed. And there we were in the kitchen one night praying. Suddenly, the thought occurred to me: “What would you do if you had the rent money in your hands?” The thought was so clear and bright that I knew it had to be from the Lord.
I said, “Well, I would be lifting my hands and praising you!”
And then He said: “Do that right now.”
“Victory in Surrender” 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas, by Matt Philleo.
So I did.
And immediately, a feeling of peace and joy flooded me.
I knew God was going to take care of me. I knew I had that rent money.
“Wow, so this is what faith feels like!” I thought. I wasn’t hoping. I was actually believing.
Faith is a gift. If you’re lacking in faith, take the faith you have to seek God for more, and He will increase your faith!
The next day at church, someone came up to me and said, “Matt, I’d like to commission you to do some art for me. I don’t even know what of yet, but here is a check.”
That down deposit took care of part of it, and then my brother in law, knowing my situation, decided to give me a gift for the rest of the rent. And we had it! God was faithful!
I’d like to say my faith was rock-solid since then. But I’ve had a few lapses.
Even though I was concentrating on art, I took up a couple side jobs to fill in the gaps between commissions.
My most recent job was working at a local recycling center–dirty, dangerous, and hazardous work. We would process aluminum cans, chop up pieces of brass from faucets, dismantle things that really aren’t meant to be dismantled, to extract the valuable metals from them. With the machinery we used, once false move at any time could be fatal.
I worked there for about a year and a half. My employers liked my work and treated me well. But one day, around Christmas, the thought occurred to me, “What are you doing here?
In the meantime one of my co-workers had a severe accident and lost part of his finger. That made me think! I had several commissions lining up that I didn’t have enough time to complete because of this side job. I prayed, and I figured it was time to move on.
That was two years ago.
I can now call myself a professional artist. This is what I do full time and how I make a living. Although things are pretty tight, God is providing for my family and I. Providentially, I’ve been able to do a few hundred commissioned portraits, and most of them in the last few years!
The best part is I get to be home with my kids and pray and tuck them into bed every night. I love being able to share my faith in Jesus in an authentic way at art shows when people ask what my work is about. And I’m doing what God created me to do.
Is there a passion that you have lying dormant that you would love to use? It may not be something you necessarily need to do as a profession, but a special skill God gave you that you’d like to use but, for some reason, are hesitant to?
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by Matt Philleo | Dec 9, 2015 | Personal Inspiring Stories
When I was 14, I had my first art commission, back in 1991. My mom’s friend asked me to draw a pencil portrait montage of one of her close friends. That started the ball rolling, and I did a few commissioned portraits while yet in high school.
During high school, my art teachers encouraged me to pursue a career in the arts. I took that advice to heart and attended Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in 1996. I did well, averaging a 3.8 GPA, but with the extremely high tuition cost I left after a year.
Since that time, I worked in several jobs over the years–dishwashing, ad designing, retail sales, vacuum repair, recycling–but I was always hesitant to do art full time.
It was just something that I thought would “happen” down the road when things lined up perfectly, or I got that mysterious “breakthrough.”
Then, in 2008, I was 31 years old, traveling on the road away from home, days on end, working at a fairly high-paying but stressful training/manager job. I was gone so much that my baby son didn’t know even who I was when I returned.
On a Sunday afternoon, my mother in law asked me this question: “Matt, why are you continuing in this dead-end job? What is it do you think you’re meant to do?”
My first commissioned drawing, 11 x 14, pencil on paper, 1991.
I said, “I think I’m supposed to be doing art full time.”
She replied pointedly, “Well, why aren’t you doing it then?”
“Because I don’t know if my bills will get paid.”
“What?! And God can’t meet your needs? He can’t take care of you?”
That was like a dagger straight to my heart. I knew God was speaking to me.
I prayed and seriously considered giving my two weeks notice.
And then, out of the blue, my boss flew up from the corporate headquarters near Cleveland to meet with me. I didn’t know what the meeting would be about. I thought of taking this occasion to give my notice, but a friend who had prayed with me advised me to not be hasty, and just let God lead.
We got a place at the restaurant and sat down.
My boss told me, “Matt, we like everything you’ve done for the company. You’ve hired and trained the service technicians we’ve asked you to and done a great job. But, with the recession, we’ve had to make several cuts in the company, and had to let some people go. Unfortunately, you will be one of them.”
I said, “That’s all right, John. God’s going to take care of me.”
He was amazed. “I didn’t expect you would take this that well. It sure takes a load off my chest.”
Commissioned wedding portrait, 16 x 20, acrylic on canvas, copyright 2015, by portrait artist Matt Philleo
And so I had the sign that I should step out in faith and do art full time.
I had a family: a 1 1/2 year old and another baby on the way. But although I was a bit scared, I knew that now was the time.
I announced this decision to people at my church, that I was now a full-time artist. Not everyone thought it was a wise idea, but immediately, I received several portrait commissions from people there. God really blessed my decision and I had confirmation right away that I was on the right path.
I’d like to say everything’s been a bed of roses since then, but I’ve had many tests of faith.
I will share more about that in my next post.
How about you?
Are you currently in a job right now that you feel is not your calling? (I understand, sometimes it’s necessary to be there for a while.)
Or are you in a job you love?
What was your journey to get to where you are now?
Or the journey you would like to take to get to where you want to be?
Share Your Thoughts!
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 on the left side or below. Thank you!
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