Text Me ~ Paintings by Matthew Lutz

Last Friday, I took a friend with me to view the exhibition of Matthew Lutz’s newest work - Text Me currently showing at Matrix Fine Art. Lutz’s current body of work is influenced by modern technology and street graffiti, using traditional oil painting techniques to depict human interaction in the digital age which explains why at least one or more subjects in each painting is holding a cell phone. 

In Lutz’s paintings, we see elements of Cubism - where objects are broken up, analyzed, and reassembled in an abstracted form - instead of depicting his subject’s arms as complete with hands, Lutz breaks the continuity of the hands and places them somewhere else as seen in his Tommy @ 3 painting. In addition, Lutz especially admires the works of Pablo Picasso; elements like the elongated limbs, arresting colors, and mystical visages are evident in his paintings Tornado and Stand. 

This exhibition also includes Lutz’s Life Paintings, a body of work that underscores the impact that one person’s life, no matter how temporary or fragile, can have on others. Each piece projects flowers through the foreground, inviting the viewer into the image, into the subject’s life. Some of the people who have influenced Lutz’s own life are no longer alive, but painting a flower in full bloom has allowed him to capture a moment when they were in their splendor. According to Lutz, “The blossom itself dies long before the painting is complete, yet the image remains for others to see and admire. It’s the same with posterity - the positive impact of one person’s existence continues for future generations.” 

Matthew Lutz is both an artist and educator. Born and raised in Indiana, he now has his home and studio in New Mexico. Lutz received his Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Taylor University in 1996. He then spent a year in South Korea teaching and creating woodblock prints in his studio. In 2001, he entered the University of New Mexico, but his degree program and work was interrupted by a spinal injury. He earned his MFA with Distinction in 2005. Throughout his graduate program, Lutz was awarded numerous fellowships from both private and public funds.

Text Me - Paintings by Matthew Lutz will run through April 28th at Matrix Fine Art, 3812 Central Avenue SE, Suite 100 A, Albuquerque, NM 87108, (505) 268-8952, www.matrixfineart.com

Dan Garrett & David Snow ~ Abstracts on Metal

Last Friday’s ARTScrawl at Sumner & Dene was the opening reception for the two person abstract show of Dan Garrett and David Snow ~ Abstracts on Metal. Snow is an Albuquerque artist who works with copper plates coated with powdered glass then fuses the work in a kiln. His imagery ranges from abstracts, figuratives, cityscapes to florals. Spectacular color, texture and sheen describe his rich contemporary enamels as seen in his Eye Dazzler and Journey In Green.

Garrett creates abstracts out of metal and mixed media. He applies layers of paint and mixed media to his metal canvases. He then manipulates them with heat, compressed air and an assortment of high speed metal working tools. This creates various textures as seen in Garrett’s Amarelo Atual of welded and painted steel acid patina, his Klasik of welded and painted steel found object, and his Luna Nox of welded and painted steel aluminum and acid patina. 

Garrett comes from a very artistic family and was encouraged from childhood to explore different art forms. He started with pen and pencil sketching and developed an interest in pointillism as a way to express himself in a more dimensional style. A spur of the moment purchase of used welding equipment was the seed to Garrett’s latest endeavor. Garrett is an accomplished landscaper and exterior designer, so his initial metal work revolved around art to enhance an outdoor setting. Many of his creations translated to interior art, which is where his primary interest now lies. 

This intriguing art show featuring both the contemporary enamel work of David Snow and the abstract three dimensional metal work by Dan Garrett makes this two person show a worthwhile experience.

Dan Garrett and David Snow ~ Abstracts on Metal will hang from March 2nd - 31st at Sumner & Dene Creations in Art, 517 Central Avenue NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, (505)842-1400, www.sumnerdene.com