Matthew White
Artist Statement
For me, creating art is a powerful experience; it’s such a profound way to process, celebrate, and appreciate the world around us. It brings me great joy to share this experience with fellow artists, students, and those who appreciate a reminder of the beauty that often goes unnoticed in everyday, ordinary life.
While I have always had one creative outlet or another, my love of watercolor painting dates back to a time of incredible transition for me: the birth of my first child.
It became clear to me during these first sleepless, chaotic months, that making time for my artistic pursuits was going to take quite a bit more intentionality than it had before. While I was more fulfilled and in awe than ever before, parental responsibilities left me with little to no energy for myself.
So when our schedule began to even out a little and my wife expressed a need for accountability and encouragement to start writing again, it opened up an opportunity for me to ask for the same support. Together, we forged new habits and carved out time for one another to pursue our respective art forms.
It was at this point - over ten years ago now - that I began to study watercolor. I was drawn to watercolor for its loose effect, the softness created by the intermingling colors on the paper, and the unique light-to-dark method of painting it requires. Watercolor doesn’t allow you to obsess over a particular painting too long; it presses you forward - onto the next - and it’s invigorating to surrender to its steady, persistent flow.
In my watercolor paintings, I strive to convey a sense of space and depth, to create a rich atmosphere, and to infuse a luminous feeling of light. I draw inspiration from scenes in my neighborhood, sites in the Kansas City metro area, as well as rural landscapes and water scenes. As you look at my catalog of work, you’ll also notice paintings inspired by my travels.
When I am not painting, I enjoy crafting and pretending with two kids, and laughing with my wife.
Awards and Recognition
- “Evening on the Plaza” was awarded the honor Outstanding Watercolor by Boldbrush Jury in July 2017.
- “Casting Off” was selected as part of the FAV15% (jury’s favorite 15% of the entries) in the October 2017 Boldbrush Painting Competition.
- “12th st.” was selected as part of the FAV15% (jury’s favorite 15% of the entries) in the September 2017 Boldbrush Painting Competition.
- “The Plaza” was selected as part of the FAV15% (jury’s favorite 15% of the entries) in the August 2017 Boldbrush Painting Competition.
- “Evening on the Plaza” was selected as part of the FAV15% (jury’s favorite 15% of the entries) in the July 2017 Boldbrush Painting Competition.
- “Visibility” was selected as part of the FAV15% (jury’s favorite 15% of the entries) in the March 2017 Boldbrush Painting Competition.
- Winner of the 2017 Big Picnic Plein Air Competition held at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art
Purchase Award Recipient at the Lee's Summit Plein Air Competition 2017
"Dale's Tree" was awarded the Texas Art Supply Award in the 2020 International Watermedia Exhibition in Houston Texas
"Clouds Forming" received Honorable Mention in the 2020 Kansas Watercolor Society Annual Exhibition
Notable Exhibitions
"Highway 56" was accepted into the 42nd International Watermedia Exhibition in Houston Texas
"Coffee," "Commute," "Evening," "Weston," "Main Street at Night," "The Grand Hall at Union Station," "The Tower," were accepted into the Kansas Watercolor Society 2019 Exhibition
"Dawn" was accepted into the Missouri Watercolor Society 2020 International Exhibition in Barcelona
"Dale's Tree" was accepted into the 43rd International Watermedia Exhibition in Houston Texas
"Winter Walk" will be included in the 6th Biennial International Prize in Fabriano Italy
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