Speaking with Artist, Matthew Bates

Matthew Bates is a talented artist from Washington DC who now lives in the beautiful city of Florance. His unique style shows his subjects in a truly original light.

We were lucky enough to catch up with Matthew to discuss his move from the US to Italy, his technique, his creative family and much more.

Hi Matthew, thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Can you start off by introducing yourself and telling us a little about your life?

I was born in Washington D.C. in 1970. My family moved there because my father, Stephen Bates, is a musician who played the clarinet in the United States Marine Band, known as “The President’s Own”. He played at the White House under President Johnson and President Nixon.

It was strange growing up in an artistic family in a place for politics. From an early age, I was encouraged to follow creative outlets, first in music, and then eventually painting. I started painting when I was 16 years old.

My first teacher was Percy Martin who taught at Sidwell Friends School, where I attended, from 1984 to 1988. Percy is a fantastic teacher. He would allow his students to experiment with all kinds of materials, including printmaking, which was his focus. I found that I liked to paint more than anything. I was good at it, and I was very prolific. I would spend all of my free time in the art room, which was encouraged by Percy.

After graduating from high school, I moved to San Francisco to attend university. A bit by chance, I ended up studying at the Academy of Art University where I was transformed into a technically proficient artist. If not still a little green, I did learn the basics of drawing, colour, and design; techniques that I use every day in my studio.

While I was in San Francisco, I had a world-renowned sculptor for a teacher, Professor Thomas Marsh whose skills in anatomy are legendary. One day, he sat us around in a semicircle and said: “If you think you are an artist, you must go to Florence, Italy to experience first hand the Renaissance.” Soon after, I was on a plane to Italy.

In 1990 I studied art at Gonzaga University in Florence, which decidedly is not an art school, but I needed a break from art school, which was a good decision. I had the entire art studio to myself, which was heavenly. Italy changed me in a real sense.

I had moved to California hoping to find a new beginning, but it wasn’t for me. Italy, on the other hand, did work out. I met Manola, who changed my life. We started dating, and we are still together to this day.

Moving to Italy after school was a real-life decision. I didn’t speak the language or have a job or anything. The challenges of making such a bold move made it easy to continue to create my artwork. I was so busy trying to find my way that I had no time to worry about whether art was a correct path. I just kept on painting.

In 1995, I made my first strictly realist painting. It was a watershed moment in my artistic life. I never looked back, with each painting I pushed my limits as a man and as an artist, taking on bigger and bigger projects. That is true to this day.

What’s a typical day like as Matthew Bates?

I think, like everybody else, I have chores and daily stuff that needs to be done. I try and get that done first so that when I am in the studio, there are no distractions and I can fully immerse myself into the artwork.

I work in my home studio so distractions are few. I like it that way.

Your family is filled with artists and creatives. Was there any pressure toward the arts?

No, more like encouragement, especially from my parents. My father is an accomplished musician, and he also paints. We have very different painting styles, I think because his training was in music, he likes to play with his painting, almost always abstract compositions. My training was in painting and drawing, so I guess we took different paths to get where we are.

My dad has always been there for me when I needed to talk about my art. He is so knowledgeable about the arts that he makes for a perfect conversationalist. I am very fortunate to have had him in my life.

That’s lovely to hear! So, how and when did you become interested in art?

I guess always, I grew up with it in my life from day one. Growing up in Washington, D.C. also helped because there are so many world-class museums there, that I was immersed in the arts from a very early age.

What is it that made you fall in love with Italy and make it your home?

Italy is amazing. It is remarkable in every possible way. The landscape, the architecture, the food, the people, the unbelievable culture that spans all of known history. I am humbled by Italy and feel very fortunate that I get to call it my home.

Do you ever miss the US or do you now consider Italy your home?

Lots of people ask me this question, and I have an easy answer: America is everywhere, making it impossible to miss. If I was from Tanzania, maybe I would feel more homesick. I do miss my family, but that’s about it.

How do you come up with your ideas for paintings? Is it just things you see, from your imagination or a bit of both?

My process involves lots of research. Before I start a painting, I take many photographs, usually random shots, places I have been, mostly Florence. I take my photos back to the studio and look for a gem, usually, there is one in about 100 photos, or in some cases, I will see that there is a good concept that needs to be elaborated upon, so I return to the location and take many more photos of my subject.

Sometimes I need multiple photos to get my entire subject, photos that I morph together in Photoshop to make an even bigger image. When I absolutely love the idea, then I go to the art store and buy my canvas.

How did you develop your style, “Magic Realism”?

Magic Realism differs from Photorealism and Hyperrealism in that, I am not married to the photograph. I use photography as a base, but that is all.

I like to expand the idea of the photograph, adding space to the image, showing more than the eye can see. Many of my paintings are panoramic paintings showing all of the space in front of the viewer as if we had eyes on the sides of our heads.

I also use mathematical formulas to create the overall image, mainly the Fibonacci series, which I have found to have magical qualities. I could go on and on about it, so don’t get me started!

That sounds good to us! What tools do you use to create your art?

I paint almost exclusively with oil paint on stretched canvases. I have hundreds of brushes, most of them are tiny! I also have an airbrush for filling in large areas like the sky. If it is useful to me I use it.

If you weren’t an artist, what career would you have pursued?

Wow, tough one. I don’t know, maybe a writer, but I doubt it. I like gardening, but that is an outlet, not really a profession.

What advice would you give to an aspiring artist?

First of all, go for it, and work hard! Make your art until it is polished and personal. Most art students have a portfolio that looks like they are an art student. You have to create your own style, and this could take a while.

I started painting when I was 16 and didn’t find my style until I was 25, so be patient. Ask advice, be humble and study hard. When you know an artist, especially one that you love, then that artist can help you in your own work, even if they are dead. I ask Michelangelo and Da Vinci for help all of the time!

What’s the future looking like? Any big projects coming up?

I have been working on a large canvas of the Duomo of Firenze for the last year now, and I still have a long way to go. When it is finished, I want to present it here in Florence because I have a lot to show about this work.

The artistic ability of the Florentines from years past is mind-blowing and I have learned so much about their message by making this painting that really wants to share my findings with my neighbours here in Florence. So, look forward to a major show coming up!