Art Space Talk: K.D. Matheson

I recently interviewed artist K.D. Matheson. Mr. Matheson is known for his skill in painting and sculpture. He is interested in creating 'spaces' that serve as a bridge connecting the past to the future. The influence of the past is obvious in his art. It is as if he draws inspiration from several cultures.

Brian Sherwin: K.D., when did you first discover that art wouldbe an important part of your adult life?

K.D. Matheson: I remember when I was about 5 yrs old , my father showed me a book of famous paintings. While looking through it I came across an image of the mona lisa , by da vinci. I was so captivated by that painting, at that time it seemed so haunting and surreal. At that instant I knew I was going to become an artist.

BS: K.D., how has creating art shaped you professionally and personally?

KDM: For me creating artwork has been an ongoing journey, a continual path of self discovery and understanding, and at certain times a terrific substitute for psycho. Therapy! After a while you begin to understand that you are not only creating art but a way of life.

BS: K.D., how has society influenced your art?

KDM: About a year ago my artist friend Jorge Catoni, and I did an installation titled human inhumanity.....social and political themes dealing with war, political corruption, capitalism, poverty, racism and bigotry.....we transformed the gallery into a giant socio political collage!"
I think its hard not to be affected on some level by the social enviroment, but its not the driving force behind my work. I'm more at home with the intangible and the unseen.

BS: What are some of your artistic influences?

KDM: One of my all time favorites is Mati Klarwein, as well as a lot of contemporary artists on sites such as, society for art of the imagination, surrealism now, and the beinart collective. My greatest inspiration comes from my artist friends, really cool and talented people like Jorge Catoni.

BS: K.D., how long have you been a working artist?

KDM: I've been working as a full time artist in one form or another for about 20 years.

BS: K.D., on average how long does it take you to create a piece?

KDM: Usually I work on several pieces at a time , that way if I get hung up on something I can jump to another project and stay in the flow. sometimes I will finish a piece in one sitting, but normally it takes about 2 to 3 weeks to finish a piece.

BS: Do you have any studio rituals, as in, do you listen to certain types of music?

KDM: I always listen to music while im working, mostly r+ b, and some operas. Some of my favs are , Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughn, Miles Davis, and Ella Fitzgerald. Lately I've been listening to a lot of Gershwin.... and I love to have lots of choclate and caffine available!...

BS: K.D., if you could pin-point the characteristics of people who collect your art what would they be?

KDM: Its hard to catergoreize the type of people that collect my art, its such a wide range. I believe its a good thing when a work of art can cross over so many different mindsets.

BS: K.D., can you tell us about your artistic process?

KDM: For me the creative impulse is always in a sort of flux state, always in motion, never static, forever putting a new spin on things! I feel like I'm arresting small increments along the thought form freeway! Freeze frames from an ongoing process.

BS: Finally, why did you choose the mediums that you use?

KDM: I paint mainly in acrylics, they dry quickly, so I can work fast and at a nice pace. For sculpting my favorite medium is clay. Its so versatile, I love the way it responds to touch, to me it seems to embodie the essence of primal matter.

You can learn more about K.D. Matheson by visiting his website-- www.kdmatheson.com. You can read more of my interviews by visiting the following page-- www.myartspace.com/interviews. K.D. is involved with the beinArt International Surreal Art Collective.

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Take care, Stay true,

Brian Sherwin