The Physicality of Paint - Paintings by Jessica Kennedy and Alexander Eulert

Viewers enjoy Jessica Kennedy's new work

On First Friday, February 5, 2016, Matrix Fine Art featured an opening reception for The Physicality of Paint - Paintings by Jessica Kennedy and Alexander Eulert. 

The show features a series of pieces by Jessica Kennedy and Alexander Eulert, process painters who investigate the abstract and organic, architectural and natural with layers that evoke a sense of the micro and macro.

Works by Alexander Eulert

Jessica Kennedy's work attracts viewers

Jessica Kennedy’s large-scale, heavily patterned and layered paintings combine oil and acrylic in fascinating ways. Jessica’s love of action, and the physicality of paint are the driving forces behind her work and the natural world is her primary source of inspiration. She considers animals, the human body, and plant life as she generates painted worlds in which a single object (her painting) attempts to embody all three simultaneously.  In this imaginative space, Jessica depicts scenes that could take place in a rainforest, a pond, a laboratory, or inside the human body. 

Jessica Kennedy poses with her work

A viewer engages Jessica's newest works on plexiglass

Jessica received her MFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of New Mexico and her BFA from the University of Michigan School of Art & Design. She currently lives and works in New Mexico.

More shots of Jessica's work:

Alex Eulert‘s paintings are abstract worlds—delicate and dynamic string lines of paint buzz and trickle around often-bold bands of color, evoking emotional states and natural phenomena. 

The cubical forms are suggestive of monoliths, pueblos, golden‐green fields, unearthed inlaid armor from a Homeric poem—or, at times, technology. He draws his inspiration from a lifelong fascination with man as an integral part of nature, his manipulation of it and nature’s process of reclaiming human creations with the passage of Time. Process oriented and expressionistically inclined, Eulert skillfully explores the confluence between geology and archaeology, denoting a benevolent interplay between the natural and the man made.

Alexander Eulert poses with his paintings

Alexander received a Foundation in Graphics and Illustration from Cambridge Arts and Sciences–where he was awarded the highest level of Distinction—and then moved to London to complete a BA (Hons) in Silversmithing and Metalwork at Camberwell. College of Arts, University of the Arts London (formerly The London Institute). 

If you missed the exhibition opening, don't worry! The show runs through February 26th.

New Work and New Year's Celebration

Mauricio Ramirez (L), Jill Christian (C), Marilyn Dillard (R)

On First Friday, January 1, 2016, Matrix Fine Art hosted an exhibition opening for New - New Works by Matrix Artists, which featured an array of new pieces by existing artists, and also welcome Mauricio Ramirez to the Matrix space.

L-R: Jessica Kennedy, Matthew Lutz, Mauricio Ramirez, Jill Christian and Marilyn Dillard

Sarah Hartshorne, Laura Robbins, Laura Wacha

Carol Mell, Sarah Hartshorne

Featured artists included Carol Mell, Sarah Hartshorne, Matthew Lutz, Alexander Eulert, Laura Robbins, Laura Wacha (Local Treasure), Jill Christian, Jessica Kennedy, Mauricio Ramirez, Marilyn Dillard, Julia Lambright, Pat Berrett and Lisa Chernoff. 

Viewers enjoying new works by Laura Wacha, Julia Lambright and Pat Berrett

Matthew Lutz

Alexander Eulert, Lisa Chernoff, Jessica Kennedy, Matthew Lutz

Other shots from the opening:

To ring in the new year, we also added many new pieces to the smaller gallery!

Viewers enjoying work by Marilyn Dillard, Jacob Matteson and Susan Evans

Matthew Lutz poses with one of his pieces

Susan Evans - Special Mid-month Invitational

Invited guests and collectors enjoy Susan's radiant fruits

In mid-November, Susan Evans graciously hosted an exclusive, invitational event at Matrix Fine Art for her fans, collectors and friends. The evening was the perfect blend of sophistication, beautiful artwork and sparkling lights (and champagne!), all of which are well-suited to Susan's lush chiaroscuro painting technique.

Guests enjoy classy hospitality and art

Susan's paintings generated a great deal of discussion, as the perfect combination of gallery lighting and the New Mexico night illuminated the Matrix and accentuated her mastery of transparent layers.

Susan's work and personality always draw a crowd.

Susan Evans discusses several pieces with her guests

Gallery director Regina Held also spoke about Evans' work

Susan has numerous fans, followers, friends and collectors! 

Matrix Fine Art is pleased to have Susan Evans as one of our artists and we always look forward to seeing her new work. We encourage you to drop by and see her work in person during our open hours.

Susan says of her work:

"My dedication to the technique of chiaroscuro follows the spirit of the Great Enlightenment of the Northern Baroque Period of the 17th century.  I use this method to exalt reality and I make use of human visual archetypes in my choice of subject material.  I seek to impart a sublime presence to simple objects; also the use of negative space contributes to the peaceful and contemplative quality of my work.

The classic techniques and underlying forces are employed: 
– Directional shapes in the abstract design 
–  A single dominant light source to move the eye 
– Intensity of light and value in the focal area I seek to evoke an emotional response from my viewer with the dramatic single image pieces. Both exciting and meditative, these large pieces are an unflinching look at one particular form."

Old Masters/New Voices - Landscapes from Collections and Still Life by Susan Evan, Exhibition Opening

Susan Evans still life on exhibit in the Matrix

On First Friday, November 6,2015, Matrix Fine Art held an exhibition opening and artist reception for Old Voices/New Masters - Landscapes from Collections and Still Life by Susan Evans. 

In this unique exhibition, we combined the lush, radiant still life of Susan Evans with a selection of historic works from several private collections, many of which are available for the first time since their original purchase.

"Persian Pomegrantes," 201. Susan Evans. Oil on canvas. 30 x 48"

Susan Evans' oil paintings are always a delight, drawing on 17th century technique with a playful, often jubilant contemporary bend.

"Homemade Pancakes," 2015. Susan Evans. Oil on Canvas. 12 x 12"

Susan says of her work:

"My dedication to the technique of chiaroscuro follows the spirit of the Great Enlightenment of the Northern Baroque Period of the 17th century.  I use this method to exalt reality and I make use of human visual archetypes in my choice of subject material.  I seek to impart a sublime presence to simple objects; also the use of negative space contributes to the peaceful and contemplative quality of my work.

The classic techniques and underlying forces are employed:
– Directional shapes in the abstract design
–  A single dominant light source to move the eye
– Intensity of light and value in the focal area I seek to evoke an emotional response from my viewer with the dramatic single image pieces. Both exciting and meditative, these large pieces are an unflinching look at one particular form."

Susan Evans

Susan Evans

Susan painstakingly imbues each object with a sense of light, weight and presence. An ordinary avocado becomes a radiant moment of contemplation.

Susan Evans

Susan Evans

While her fruits are stand-outs, intensely dramatic and colorful, her sweets are true crowd-pleases. Everything from donuts to pancakes graces her glazed (pun intended) canvases!

Susan Evans, 2015. Posing with Zen Aubergine.

"Tomato Treat," 2015. Susan Evans. Oil on canvas. 24 x 24".

In addition to Susan's still life pieces, Matrix Fine Art is also featuring a selection of historic, highly collectible works from several private and estate collections.

Estate collection pieces by Ben Turner and an unknown Spanish landscape painter

Works by Frank McCulloch and George Grosz

Among these are pieces by Ben Turner, Fritz Scholder, George Grosz and Frank McCulloch.

Untitled Landscape (View of the Pecos Wilderness). Ben Turner. Oil on Panel. Price on request.

This historic work by Ben Turner was in the possession of US senator Dennis Chavez; and it hung in his office in Washington, DC, until his death in 1962. The painting continued to be in the possession of his family and was prominently displayed in his daughter’s home in Albuquerque, NM, until her passing this year.

Ben Turner (1912-1966), a descendant of famed English maritime artist, J.M.W. Turner (1775 – 1851), is a well-known New Mexico landscape painter who gained recognition as one of few early 20th century New Mexico natives to gain commercial success in the arts. Turner was born in Gallup, New Mexico and studied at the University of New Mexico and the Art Institute of Chicago, later becoming associated with Taos and Santa Fe art scenes, where he established several prominent studios. He specialized in spontaneous, natural paintings depicting the variety and richness of his home landscape. Turner’s works are part of numerous private and national collections, including the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C..

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"Another Matinee Cowboy," 1984. Fritz Scholder. Lithography.
 Tamarind no.  84-804. 14 x 11". Price on request.

Fritz Scholder (1937-2005) is a well-known pop art and postmodern Native American artist, born in Breckenridge, Minnesota. Scholder was one-quarter Luiseño (a California Mission tribe), which spans Los Angeles and San Diego counties. Widely shown and highly respected, Scholder was a versatile artist, educated at several universities, including Sacramento State and the University of Arizona. He was invited by the Tamarind Institute to produce their first major project in New Mexico, a suite of lithographs entitled: Indians Forever. This began a large body of work in printmaking for Scholder, which allowed him to mix traditional considerations with a spontaneous, culturally critical pop art style. Scholder’s printmaking techniques include lithography, etchings, monotypes and his work is held in a number of major collections. In 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger posthumously awarded Scholder into the California Hall of Fame for a lifetime of important contributions in the arts and California culture.

Matrix is looking for and representing original pieces on consignment, for resale from collections and estates. For more information, visit our Works from Estates and Collections page.

Missed the exhibition opening? Don't worry. The show runs through Nov. 26, 2015. 

The Estate of Amir Espat - First Friday Exhibition Opening

Viewers admiring Amir Espat's work

On First Friday, October 2, 2015, MATRIX Fine Art hosted a reception and exhibition opening for The Estate of Amir Espat, a special showing of the late artist's work. We were fortunate enough to be selected to host highlights from Espat's impressive body of work--and our October opening marked the first time a collection of Espat's paintings had ever been exhibited or viewed by the public. 

Amir Espat's body of work spanned more than forty years of painting

Amir Espat

Amir Espat

Amir Espat was a Latin American artist who retired in Albuquerque, NM to pursue his original passion of expressing himself on canvas. Amir’s interpretation of the world, including poverty, social injustice, suffering and pain could be seen through his art.

Espat painted surreal imagery that included Latin American magical realism. 

Viewers of all ages enjoyed the opening reception

Espat's family, friends, and art lovers from the general public, came out to attend the opening

Amir was born in a small town in Belize in 1930. He began to demonstrate an interest in art at a very young age. Growing up, he expressed himself creatively in any way he could, be it with a paintbrush, crayons or pencils. During his early adolescence he moved to the neighboring country of Guatemala to complete his high school education. Though he still had the desire to create and express himself in the field of art, he realized that in order to support a family in the future he would have to pursue a different career. He moved to the United States where he studied and received his degree in architecture at Carnegie Tech. Upon completion of his higher education he returned to Guatemala to practice architecture. During the peak of his career he flourished in his field, demonstrating attributes in design which followed the great masters of the trade such as Wright, Gropius and Niemeyer. 

Amir Espat's works address life itself--with both joy and suffering

Although his architectural career was full of triumphs and accomplishments, he was never entirely fulfilled. He soon returned to his original passion of expressing himself on canvas. Amir’s interpretation of the world, including poverty, social injustice, suffering and pain could be seen through his art.

"Sembrando/To Sow," Amir Espat. Oil on Canvas. 

In 1978, Amir decided to retire to Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was captivated by the endless blue skies and fully immersed himself in his true passion of painting. Amir kept up with the ever-evolving mediums that came with the design world, from graphic design, to video compilations, to new technology of integrating past and present mediums. Amir continued to grow as an artist and human being and stayed current with the evolving times until the end of his days.

            Amir was a well-cultured man, which attributed to his some 200-plus works of art. He was a humble man who saw much pleasure in the simple things, such as gardening and construction, but most of all painting. His love of family, life and the world can be seen through his art. Amir Espat, a true visionary, left a legacy that will live on through the canvas. 

The exhibition was very crowded and well received, as friends, family and art lovers convened to experience the rich, lustrous oils and the sensitive engagement with subject that marks Espat's work. Irma Espat, the late Amir's wife, even said a few words to mark the occasion.

If you missed the opening, don't worry. You still have time to view Espat's works before they go back into private collections. 

The exhibition runs October 2- 31st. Don't miss this rare opportunity to view them! They may never be assembled in one place again. 

The exhibition was catered by Swiss Alps Bakery, which is owned by a member if the Espat family. They brought delicious goodies for everyone to enjoy: