Welcome to my March 2026 newsletter!
I finally have two days off in a row. Hallelujah!!! It doesn’t come around very often. When it does, I have to take advantage of it. Can you believe it’s already March?!
As for my other writing, I haven’t really felt like writing. I did start writing a couple of new newsletters about stuff that’s been happening but then I get stuck and stop. I just don’t feel like writing those at this time.
My regular work schedule still has me working six days a week, except for this week. With the stresses of that and taking my Mom to doctor appointments, I don’t want to add extra pressure on myself to write new newsletters.
Let’s get to the art.
All of these paintings were painted during the months of January and February 2026.
Milan, Italy – 24 inches x 30 inches – Acrylic Marker on Canvas
I sketched this before the Olympics. I didn’t even realize the Olympics were coming up. When I heard about it, I had no idea where it was being held. I looked it up and went to the map to see what I could find. I got 16 businesses in there. I have a list but it’s hard to read my writing and it would be impossible for me to write everything down here.
I finished this painting while the Olympics were taking place. As I started painting, I asked myself what I was thinking making all of these small areas. But that is what makes each of these paintings unique.
Wytheville, VA – Smallest Church – 4 inches x 6 inches – Acrylic Marker on Photo Paper
I found this small church while searching on the term “smallest church”. The story behind this church is very interesting. A member of the community was on a business trip and saw a sign on the highway talking about “America’s smallest church”. This was in Georgia. They didn’t have much time but came back later to take a look at the church. They took this information back to their outreach team. The smallest church was created in Wytheville, Virginia based on the information collected from the church in Georgia.
Hope – 8 inches x 10 inches – Acrylic Marker on Canvas
This is a very special painting. My Mom was getting treatment in a doctor’s office. These treatments can last anywhere from 1 hour to 5 hours. Anything over 1 1/2 hours, I left and came back when her treatments were over.
I had my sketchbook with me for the 1 hour treatment. While I was in the waiting room, I decided to sketch the television, the fish tank underneath it and the console that was holding the fish tank. The television was tuned to the HGTV channel.
This is not the exact sketch I did in the waiting room. That was done on a pad that does not work very good with my markers. I eyed the drawing I drew and drew it onto the canvas as close as possible.
I named it “Hope” because the patients there have hope that the professionals will save their lives.
My Mom is in remission again.
CONCLUSION
This is a quick look at three of the six paintings I have done in two months. The other three will appear in the next newsletter. I didn’t think they would all fit in this one newsletter.
I have received the paperwork necessary to start my business. Since I rent my condo, I have to get permission from the landlord plus the HOA. I’ll be working to acquire that. I also need to get a schematic of my place and where my “studio” would be. They sure don’t make it easy for you to have a home business. Of course, none of my clients would be coming here. All my sales would be through the Internet, stores, galleries, fairs/shows, and word of mouth.
But I can sell my paintings if I declare it a “hobby” without any paperwork. Go figure.
Well, that’s it for now. I hope you liked these paintings.
Thanks for listening and being a part of my newsletter.
Until next time, happy reading.
-Matt
Excellent, Matt! Always make me smile. I like color...