Each month we will be highlighting and celebrating the work and achievements of one of our Artist Members. Landscape Artist, Matthew Eyles was voted the people’s favourite at Gargrave Art Exhibition in 2023 and showed an extended portfolio of his work at the 2024 event earlier this month. I met up with him to find out more about his work and creative journey.
How would you describe your art?
Most of my completed works are watercolour and acrylic ink landscape paintings. Trees, dry stone walls and farm buildings are predominant features. Whilst my pictures tend to be very detailed (they have been described as “mesmerising” and having “forensic detail”), I am not aiming for photographic representations but rather an interpretation of what I see. I guess that what I am presenting is my own vision of Yorkshire.
What inspires your art?
I am deeply rooted in Wharfedale where I was born and my experience and observations of this area inspires much of my artwork. Practicing Architecture for over 35 years has also had a strong influence, particularly on the way I experience, observe and analyse my surroundings. I am fascinated by the character and nature of the countryside and how it is affected not only by the seasons, the light and the weather conditions but also by human intervention - the sculptural forms of trees and hedges cut-back to allow farm trailers to pass through the narrow country roads, dry stone walls, fences, old farm gates and even road signs.
Why do you paint?
For me, painting and drawing is almost compulsive. I have a strong emotional connection to the landscape of Yorkshire. I suppose that drawing and painting is my way of observing, analysing and understanding my surroundings. In my art, I am trying to communicate some of that emotion. I feel that I have succeeded in some way when someone feels an emotional connection to my art.
Where do you start?
Wherever I am, I’m always looking and collecting ideas. It’s almost obsessive so I capture images in the most convenient way I can. This is usually by photographing and sketching but can also include descriptions and words. I keep “inspiration files” for potential paintings where I collect together images sketches and words as “prompts” to my artistic process. Sometimes it takes a while for these first inspirations to come together for the start of a painting. I usually do several studies in different media (pencil, felt tip pen, watercolour etc.) to analyse and understand the composition. Like most artists, I’m “guilty” of bending reality a bit to suit my interpretation of the scene. Trees can move, buildings can be altered, even the landscape can be adjusted. Well, if it was good enough for “Capability Brown ….
Which artists inspire your work?
I am drawn to figurative landscape art so there is a lot of inspiration. I particularly love the work of Simon Palmer, who’s interpretations of the Yorkshire Landscape have been described as “dark,” “disturbed” and “skewed.” There’s always a slight feeling of unease in Simon’s work, which I really get in the Yorkshire landscape. Artists like John and Paul Nash seem to express similarly “disturbed” landscapes. For colour and texture, I love the work of Kate Lycett over in Hebden Bridge.
And finally, where can your work be seen?
Right now, I am exhibiting several of my paintings as part of the 2024 Gargrave Art Exhibition. I was really surprised and honoured to win the peoples vote at last year’s exhibition (2023) and this is how I came to have a display within this year’s exhibition. I am also represented by the Look Gallery in Helmsley so have ongoing displays of my work there. Online, I regularly post my work on Instagram (www.instagram.com/mattheweyles.art) and my website (www.mattheweyles.art).
Contact details:
w. www.mattheweyles.art
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