iconartus

A little reminder to see the best in people - and to tell them...

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:57:37 -0400

A little reminder to see the best in people - and to tell them you see it! “I find you VERY attractive …” ; ) #crayon #cartoon #coffee #connection (at Element Coffee)

Juxtaposing views this morning on the coffee table: “The...

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:34:14 -0400

Juxtaposing views this morning on the coffee table: “The Deviant shall live by sleight of sight.” And “The just shall live by faith.” (at Element Coffee)

When Status Quo Attacks

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:42:01 -0400

This morning, just as I was intaking my first sips of coffee, Status Quo attacked. Usually by 7:40 am, I have made it to ‘the other side’- first, by way of meditation. Second, by way of the pen via stream of mind drawing. Today’s drawing had not begun before the non-negotiable gospel had surrounded me with four walls. Once you are boxed in, the only thing you can do is get a feel for where the edges are, and stay inside- until a subtle window opens.

Fortunately for me, a window opened, and I climbed out rather effortlessly. But the encounter was enough to shake me up this morning. Enough to press me up against the these keystrokes now; this is the only avenue I have to ensure my stance outside the status quo. This is, after all, what the self-proclaimed artist must do. To be aligned with the status quo is to cease to exist. Every now and then, it is healthy to submit one’s ego to tight quarters, smoothing him out to be indistinguishable from the others. But that is the exception, not the rule.

Can you see how vulnerable we are? All of us are on the brink of non-existence. Especially ‘the artist’. But you are an artist, too. According to Seth Godin, “An artist is someone who uses bravery, insight, creativity, and boldness to challenge the status quo.” He also says, “Art is what we do when we are truly alive”. Apparently, this point has resonated with me. I like feeling alive. That’s why I’ve written to you this morning. It feels nice to turn this morning’s experience upside down and re-make it. The status quo can trap you for a moment - but it cannot clutch you forever. And once you’ve crossed to the other side, it is yours to mold however you like. In this case, it is the ground- a surface for the artist to walk.

Photo

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 23:14:41 -0500

I like to anticipate each new year with a painting : )...

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 19:51:12 -0500

I like to anticipate each new year with a painting : ) #2013

#Paradise not deferred. Our earth is incredible. (at...

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 14:52:38 -0500

#Paradise not deferred. Our earth is incredible. (at Surfers’ Point at Seaside Park)

Behold! (at Element Coffee)

Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:54:56 -0500

Behold! (at Element Coffee)

“As above, so below” (at Element Coffee)

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 13:40:43 -0500

“As above, so below” (at Element Coffee)

‘Abide in Christ’ I created this piece of art for...

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:25:00 -0400

‘Abide in Christ’

I created this piece of art for the @ParentsCoach, Timothy Smith to present at this years D6 family ministry conference in Dallas. The theme of this years D6 conference was derived from John 15:4-5 (King James Version):

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

What do you think? Do you abide in Jesus? Does the image add value to the verse?

Cheers,

Matthew

Grasping Big Money Politics

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 16:46:00 -0400

With a contest grand prize purse of $3000 on the line for creating an iconic image, I am looking for help unraveling the nature of one of the biggest concerns in politics today- the influence of Big Money.

Like many of you who are wary of nurturing any enthusiastic feelings for a candidate in the 2012 election, I am also reluctant to invest my ears to the task of hearing promises from our candidates.

I feel lured to believe in something much grander than partisan stagnation. I sense a systemic problem that needs fixing at the root. When I stumbled across a contest at Good.is, calling for artists to iconically capture the idea of Big Money influencing politics, it struck me as important (particularly for someone with the web domain iconart.us!)

With under two weeks to go till my submission deadline, I want to open myself up to the public and my peers, so that I may grasp a more multi-pronged perspective on this issue. I wonder, for instance, what your thinking is on the unprecedented flood of money into national elections. Is it to be judged as wrong or right? Does it make you feel distant, perhaps separate from the ideals of democracy? Can you imagine a plausible political system that is not dictated by those with the largest tides of dollar bills?

My own faith is rooted in the idea that each problem contains it’s own solution. I believe there are healing powers imminent in the now to bring our nation to recovery. I believe there is an idealogical root that can be healed with a touch. I want to find it and touch it with an iconic image for this contest.

But before the solution is found, I feel WE must grasp the problem. Your help in this is vital. Please add your thoughts to any of the questions I’ve posted here, or feel free to introduce something new to the discussion. I will submit my entry to GOOD on October 11, doing my best to source the best ideas from my community.

See what other artists have already submitted

Almost finished with a whole corridor of painted murals for the...

Fri, 24 Aug 2012 13:34:31 -0400

Almost finished with a whole corridor of painted murals for the 6th graders at Colina Middle School! (Taken with Instagram at Colina Middle School)

For two weeks, I’ll be finishing a series of historical...

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 13:16:54 -0400

For two weeks, I’ll be finishing a series of historical murals left behind by the late David Legasby lll. I’ve got some big shoes to fill! (Taken with Instagram at Colina Middle School)

#Cloud caption contest? (Taken with Instagram at Element Coffee)

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 10:59:59 -0400

#Cloud caption contest? (Taken with Instagram at Element Coffee)

Incredible work by my friend @DathanGraham capturing this...

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:45:54 -0400

Incredible work by my friend @DathanGraham capturing this footage and putting this heart warming video together. It’s a great follow up piece to the Kony saga.

Abraham is having a difficult time with change and Jesus finds...

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 12:45:24 -0400

Abraham is having a difficult time with change and Jesus finds himself having to be the peacemaker again.

-Matthew

“Have you ever tasted roasted elephant trunk?”...

Tue, 22 May 2012 11:16:11 -0400

“Have you ever tasted roasted elephant trunk?” #crayon #art #story (Taken with instagram)

“that’s the spot!” #idraw #crayon #art #ipad...

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:04:51 -0400

“that’s the spot!” #idraw #crayon #art #ipad (Taken with instagram)

“Shall we let the sheep take turns leading the...

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:10:35 -0400

“Shall we let the sheep take turns leading the flock?” #iDraw #crayon #art (Taken with instagram)

For the love : ) #chalk #art (Taken with instagram)

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 22:55:25 -0400

For the love : ) #chalk #art (Taken with instagram)

Get my best work in your inbox

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:24:00 -0400

Get my best work in your inbox