I'm pretty stoked on these new paintings...
Greetings everyone,
It's been a busy summer. I have a massive back log of paintings (maybe 35?) to finish and get photographed from recent travels all over California, and... Italy? Yes, Italy. But while I was out painting the great big world out there, I had some studio commissioned pieces that were being neglected, so instead of sharing my work from the wide yonder, all I have to show right now is a couple of these freshly finished new studio pieces that I'm quite happy with. Also a couple of live pieces that you might not have seen yet, and one random original that is new and available, but definitely a different sort of painting than I usually create.
Oh and I also have some pretty solid deals just for you guys, because not everyone bothers to sign up for artist newsletters, or actually reads them to the end. I'm hooking you up for the holidays. Promise. But those are at the end of the email.
Let's start with this new studio piece that I can't stop looking at myself...
For Those Who Have Ears to Hear
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 48″ x 24″
PRINTS AVAILABLE HERE
This piece gets personal for me. It's a prominent headland on a stretch of California's coast that always reminds me of my grandparents who moved somewhere behind those mountains on the right when I was about 10 years old. We'd go visit them occasionally, always bummed that they didn't have a TV or "anything to do". We always thought it would be so boring. Looking back, those times with my brother, sister, and cousins where some of the best times I can remember from my childhood. I don't remember actually being bored even once, we spent the whole time outside exploring, playing, fighting, dodging trouble the best we could. Real life. Our lives. When my grandpa passed away I was about 16 years old. To this day when I think of him (and my grandmother as well) I think of the wisdom of their generation and how once a generation passes, their particular wisdom passes along with them. Some of it is passed down to the next generation of course, but some is sadly gone forever. When I encounter whales in the ocean I have a similar feeling about them- that they have a particular wisdom- one that is beyond our understanding, but also one that could sadly pass from existence one day, should the last whale spout its final breath. This particular headland was once a prime spot for hunting whales, so I included one in the painting beneath those mountains on the right, an homage to the wisdom of my grandfather who breathed his last breath in his sleep just beyond that hill nearly 30 years ago. We love you, grandpa.
Chromatic Water Theory #13: Abstract Jazz
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 24″ x 36″
PRINTS AVAILABLE HERE
This one began as a live painting at The Basement in Arcata with live music from the Pete Ciotti Trio. My only real plan here was to paint a saxaphone, the rest began to emerge with the flow of the music. At the end of the night I was happy but not satisfied so it spent a fair bit of time on the studio easel afterwards and this is where it went. It will be the official poster artwork for the 2020 Redwood Coast Music Festival, and yes, I'm pretty jazzed about it.
Balance of Powers
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 24″ x 36″
PRINTS AVAILABLE HERE
This was painted live at a benefit event for our local hospital's Family Medicine Residency Program back in July. These live paintings usually auction at events for anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand on the far upper end. Not that this means a whole lot in the big picture, but we were pretty stoked to witness this one sell at the auction for $11,500. That’s the highest price I’ve seen a painting of mine go for in Humboldt. We thought that was pretty cool.
Between the Music and the Beer
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 36″ x 24″
PRINTS AVAILABLE HERE
This was also a live painting done just recently at a benefit for a local nonprofit called Friends of the Dunes. I've been painting at their annual wine-sipping event for the last 6 years or so and always have a good time. This day was no different, but it was a bright sunny day, unlike some years, and I was supposed to set up and paint outside. I'd prefer to have been in the shade, but all the tents were sorta spoken for, so what was I to do? The obvious thing of course- wedge myself right in between the live music tent and the beer tent. I may not be smart, but I'm no dummy. Good times once again.
Everything She Needs
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 16″ x 20″
Price: $750
Newsletter Better Deal: $500
PRINTS AVAILABLE HERE
Painted this one for my friends at Save the Waves Coalition who once again put on the Redgate Ranch Music Festival back in September. I took about a zillion photos of my beautiful wife rocking out in my studio with one of those super bright heat lamps illuminating her from below to get some reference material to paint this scene that was burned into my memory the first time I attended this festival a few years ago. Many of the musicians hung around till the deep hours of the morning beside a campfire singing out tunes and playing along like only seasoned musicians can do. It was a cold evening but the fire and music kept everyone warm. It was pretty incredible. Not sure this painting translates that or not. Maybe you just had to be there, but still it was a fun (and rare for me) attempt at a painting whose main subject is a human figure.
And Deals!
Yes, I did say there would be deals at the end of this email didn't I? This must mean two things then. 1. We're approaching the holiday season and since canvas prints can take 2-3 weeks to turnaround, it must be time to start thinking about these things. And 2. We must be near the end of this email. So here we go:
All Limited Edition Prints: 30% OFF from now through November 30th. Use code "secret30!" at checkout. You can order prints of the paintings in this email at the links provided with each image, or you can view my entire catalog of prints that can be ordered through my website here: mattbeardart.com/shop/
Books: 20% OFF from now through December 17th. Use code "SECRET20!" at checkout. If you know about my book, Painting the California Coast: Volume One and don't have one yet, don't wait! Supplies are limited and they won't last forever. I also don't offer deals on them very often, so this is a good time to get one for yourself or a friend. You can order them up here: novialbionpublishing.com
All Original Paintings: FREE SHIPPING + NO SALES TAX now through December 31st. We're running this one all the way past Christmas in case you need to get a little something for yourself after the holiday winds down. If you need one in time for Christmas, be sure to get the conversation started by December 15th so we have time to sort out the details and ship it off. You can see all of my currently available original paintings here: mattbeardart.com/available
There's some other deals available on my website for the general public right now too, but I stepped it up a notch with these secret deals just for you guys because you guys deserve it for putting up with my rambling and actually opening these emails. I do hope they are enjoyable. Even if you skip the words and just look at the art, it's all good. I'm hoping to send out one more solid blast of new available originals before the year is over, but just thought it would be good to pass this info along sooner than later. You guys are the best.
Thank you always!
Cheers!
Matt