Matthew Best

I began a busy summer by moving studios. Same building, different floor, more space. The extra space is such a luxury and has really helped my work by giving me more space to move and maybe the best part, storage space so I'm not tripping over my own work.

I've done a lot of drawing this summer. This drawing is from a series I've designated the $25 drawings. They are of roughly uniform size, 11 by 15 inches. All are ink on paper. They began as a way of using up older drawings that didn't work. I tore the paper into quarters and used the backside of the paper as a warm-up for the day. What began as a warm-up has turned into a stack of drawings and an exciting way of generating new imagery.

Untitled drawing, 22 by 30 inches. Ink on paper.

A second series of drawings was inspired by the move to the new studio. The previous tenant of the studio left behind a plexiglass box with 50 cents embossed on it. I don't know what he used it for but I immediately thought it had possibilities.

In the process of drawing I generate a lot of scrap paper. I decided that I could do a series of small sketches and sell them for 50 cents to studio visitors. It has become a lot of fun to work on these drawings, the box contains scraps of old drawings, modified pieces of paper that I've used to test colors on, prints I did in 1995 that I drew on top of.

Personally I think the most valuable part of it has been the reevaluation of doodles that I normally would have recycled. There are some exciting things happening there.

It is currently hanging next to the studio door slowly filling up with quarters.

My paintings have changed this summer. I've started working with this linear, quasi-symmetrical imagery inspired by half remembered dreams and exploring the space between drawing and writing/calligraphy. Above are three 18 by 18 inch acrylic on panel paintings that have turned into an unofficial triptych.

I will be exhibiting my work alongside many local artists and businesses in the pop-up gallery, Gallery 705 as part of an Imagine Main Street Manchester event in Manchester, CT on Thursday, August 2. The event will take place from 6-9pm. There is a second chance to see the show on Sunday, August 5 from 11-1 during the Crusin' on Main event.

Manchester, CT is my hometown, this is the firist time I have shown my work there since 1992, the last time having been in my high school cafeteria. I'm excited to be showing my work there again.

Also on display in Gallery 705 will be Aruna Chocoloates, Tom Trial, Jennifer Bruno, Chris Brown, Ashleigh Kay, and Ben Parker

10,000 Things, 2012. Acrylic on canvas. 30 by 40 inches.

Map of the event

I have begun work on my two donations to the 3rd Annual Art for AIDS benefit taking place on Saturday, June 9 at Artspace in Hartford, CT.

More information can be found on CARC's website: http://www.ctaidscoalition.org/art.htm

A virtual walk around the gallery at 100 Pearl Street in Hartford. The show will be up until June 1 and the opening reception will place on Thursday, April 12 from 5-7pm. More information can be found at the Greater Hartford Arts Council website: http://letsgoarts.org/gallery

100 Pearl Street Gallery is located at 100 Pearl Street, Hartford, CT. The show is on veiw from March 30- June 1 2012.

On Sunday, June 27 my 2009 painting, Late Winter was featured as the cover art for the i-towns section of the Hartford Courant.

Both the painting and a short bio can be found here:

http://www.courant.com/community/cover-art/hc-itowns-cover0627-ec,0,6962035.photo