Matthew Best

detail of #richardsimmons, 2014. acrylic on panel. 24 by 24 inches

I called this show Limited Means for two reasons, first, I work with a limited palette, typically no more than two or three colors per painting as well as a limited array of shapes. I'm interested in getting maximum impact with the simplest elements. The repeated elements are changed by context rather than variation.

Second, making art is expensive and I decided to stop buying paint and work with what I had on hand. I assembled all the paint I could find in the studio. At first I had my full usual palette along with some odd metallics and some air-brush paint. I spent the following 6-7 months working exclusively with these colors. At first it was easy but quickly things began to run out. My challenge was to make due with what was left. It forced me to make decisions that I wouldn't normally make such as odd, sometimes uncomfortable color combinations. My only concession was replacing white after it ran out, I found that was the one thing I couldn't work without. Beyond that it was liberating.

The show will be on view from January 23 to March 13, 2015 at the Gallery at Three Rivers Community College in Norwich, CT (http://www.threerivers.edu/Div_academics/Gallery/theGallery.shtml).  I will be giving an artist talk on Monday, February 2 at 9:30am and there will be an opening reception on Tuesday, February 3 from 6-7:30pm. Both events are free and open to the public.

Regular gallery hours are Monday-Friday 9am to 7pm.

My first show in 2015 will be Brights at Worrell Smith Gallery (http://worrellsmithgallery.com/up-next-brights/) in Westport, CT. The show is designed to be an antidote to the winter blues, all the Connecticut based artists in the show use bright colors in their work. The show will be up from January 16 to February 15. There will be an opening reception on Friday, January 16 from 6-8:30pm.

#lonianderson, 2014. 24 by 24 inches. Acrylic on panel.

Untitled, 2014. Acrylic on canvas

I have two paintings on display in November at the new art gallery, Satellite Contemporary in Las Vegas. I'm excited to be a part of their inaugural show. It features paintings, works on paper and photography by Jared Jelsing, Eleanor Aldrich, Judith Baumann, Matthew Best, Joomi Chung, Sean Greene, Pang-Chieh Hsu, Sandy Litchfield, Morgan McKeehan, Larissa Mellor, Bridget Mullen, Bridget O’Brien, Nicole Stone and Derrick Velasquez.

The gallery describes their first show as:

"Unabashedly, Out-of-towners is an acknowledgement of our position outside the local arts scene. We are moving in, bringing with us our amazing friends, colleagues, and affiliates, and are hoping to introduce the Las Vegas community to a fresh, new pool of talent. For this inaugural exhibition, we wanted to collect a group of artists that represent our aspirations as a contemporary arts space. From Judith Baumann and her notorious Dead Wrestlers to Sara Pertras' elegant ladies, we have an enormous range of work in our little gallery. We invite you to see the it in person on Saturday November 15th, from 6-10pm at the Emergency Arts building on Fremont St. in downtown Las Vegas. For more information and directions, please see the contact page."

More information can be found here: http://www.satellitecontemporary.com/about-us/

On Saturday, May 31, 2014 AIDS Connecticut (ACT) will host its annual Art for AIDS fundraiser. Proceeds will benefit ACT and The Richard B. Fried Fund for AIDS Connecticut, a permanent endowment administered by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Ticket prices range from $50 - $500 and include complimentary food, beverages, an art show and each ticket holder will take home an original piece of art designed by a local artist!

Detailed ticket information will be available soon on our website - Tickets will go on sale starting on April 25. Stay tuned for a preview of some of the fabulous art - It's an amazing event!

Sponsors include: Metayer Bonding Associates, Peel Liquor, GStream, The Uncommon Cupcake, Bear's BBQ, Barefoot Bubbly and La Petite France Bakery Cafe.

#burtreynolds, 2014. 24 by 36 inches. acrylic on panel.

My first solo show of 2014 will be up for two weeks (March 24- April 5) at Hartford's newest art gallery, EBK Gallery (http://ebkgallery.com/). The show will include some recent work that I haven't shown before as well as the 50 Cent Box. It will be the first time the 50 Cent Box has been exhibited in Connecticut outside of my studio.

There will be a closing reception on Saturday, April 5 from 6-8:30pm. Gallery hours are by request but the show can easily be seen from the street on off hours.

#lonianderson, 2014. 24 by 24 inches. acrylic on panel.