16 Comments
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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Matt, these are great! The lighthouse and the leaf are my favourite. I've just checked out your 'Leaf' post, having inexplicably missed it when you'd first published it - and gosh, your artwork is a beautiful take on the photograph.

Art using maps, too, is such a lovely idea.

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Matthew Murray's avatar

Thanks Rebecca. That means a lot to me.

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Such a pleasure, Matt.

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Pennie R. S. Nelson's avatar

Very interesting and good work Matthew. I never thought of creating abstract art from land mapping. And I have to agree that doing artwork just like writing can be time consuming. What kind of medium do you use?

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Matthew Murray's avatar

I use acrylic. I needed something that dried quickly in order to create the effects.

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Pennie R. S. Nelson's avatar

Okay, yes acrylics do dry quickly compared to oils. Nice work.

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Beth T (BethOfAus)'s avatar

How cool! Well done.

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Kathryn Vercillo's avatar

Love seeing your paintings!

If you ever have any interest in responding to my visual interviews, I'd love to have you. No pressure, just an invite.

https://createmefree.substack.com/p/opportunities-for-create-collaboration

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Matthew Murray's avatar

Thanks Kathryn. I'll consider your invite. Maybe later in the year if I decide to do it. I'll think about it.

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Kathryn Vercillo's avatar

If it ever feels right, reach out ... and if not that's totally okay as well.

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Ms. Writer's avatar

What a unique concept, Matt (and the paintings are awesome, too!)

I'm trying an online art journaling course this year, thanks to a recommendation from our dear friend Rebecca Holden. Her beautiful artwork inspired me and now I will add yours to that list. I don't know much about abstract art, but I think yours are very cool.

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Matthew Murray's avatar

Thanks Ms. Writer. Happy you like the artwork. Wait until next month's issue.

Glad to hear Rebecca got you into art journalling. It seems interesting and I like it when she comes out with each post.

As far as abstract art, it comes in different forms. If you look at paintings, some artists mix a bunch of paints around and create a different look than I do. One of the most famous abstract artists was Jackson Pollock. He placed his canvases on the floor and let paint drip down while he was standing. He put multiple colors together without worrying about whether they matched or not. Then there is abstract minimalism. This is where you use only a few colors. Basically, there are no rules with abstract painting.

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Ms. Writer's avatar

HA...No rules! Now that's my kind of painting! :)

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Terry Freedman's avatar

Lovely paintings, Matthew. Do you use acrylics or poster paints?

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Matthew Murray's avatar

Thank you Terry. I'm usually acrylics. It's best to use those since I want it to dry fast. The techniques I use require quick drying.

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Terry Freedman's avatar

In my Van Gogh period I preferred acrylics as well, though I came across a hybrid between oils and acrylics. I can't remember what it was called, but it had the consistency of oils but was much quicker drying, like acrylics. I preferred acrylics anyway because I thought.think the colours are more vibrant.

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