News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Steve Mathews uses complex “resists” to create his large-scale paintings. photo provided
Steve Mathews may be best known in Sisters for large carved and painted wood sculptures, often coupled with neon creations by Roger White. The Sisters artist and educator, who enjoyed a long career as an illustrator, will show a different artistic side and a different medium in a show at Sisters Art Works.
"The Big Picture," featuring a dozen of Mathews' large acrylic paintings, runs through the month of November, with a kickoff artist's reception on Friday, October 7, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The paintings are done using complex "resists." The artist applies material that literally resists taking paint, leaving areas of the canvas lighter than the rest.
"You have to sort of think in reverse," Mathews said. "You have to think about what's underneath... It's a matter of knowing what's going to appear, even though it's not appearing right now. It's kind of a strange way to work."
Mathews works quickly; it took him three weeks to paint the dozen paintings featured in "The Big Picture." His quick pace allows him to keep the prices of his paintings reasonable - which is important to the artist, who doesn't think that fine art should be the sole province of the well-heeled.
"Why can't the lower-to-middle-income guy have a nice painting on the wall?" he says. "I'm fairly proactive that way."
Mathews is also dedicated to teaching art. He's been working with the art program at Sisters High School for years. He's a tough teacher, but he believes students need serious critiques in order to push them to excellence.
"I'm a hardass where art is concerned," he said. "My philosophy has always been give the students assignments they don't think they can do. Then they'll be amazed that they did it. I really believe in getting kids ready for college," he said. "You can't be light-handed with them; you have to be realistic."
That doesn't mean he's unduly harsh.
"I like to make a critique two-thirds positive and one third 'have you thought about...'"
He's at least as tough on himself as he is on any student, pushing himself to achieve a high standard.
"Over a year's time I'll paint over 60 percent of the canvases I do," he noted. "Maybe more."
The "keepers" are impressive, and they'll be displayed in all their glory at Sisters Art Works, 204 W. Adams Ave.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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