I paint because it feeds my spirit. It is a passion for the arts that inspires my creativity. My current work includes two ongoing series of painting explorations in acrylic media: "Environmental Landscapes", large landscape paintings on canvas and "Celebration of Dance", paintings depicting dancers in movement on watercolor paper.

The two series are closely related to my heart. They both cross ethinic and cultural borders and are intertwined in the spirit of joy! Joy is universal. I try to capture it as I paint about the small joys in life that make my heart sing. When I view a vibrant sunset, hear the shaking of the aspen leaves in the fall or hike a trail filled with views that take my breath away, I want to dance. To me, dance is all about the joy of life. In my mind eye I see the landscape dance in the same way as I watch dancers in movement on the stage or at a party. Recently I have begun to add human figures to my landscape scenes. I like to call all of the paintings, Lynscapes. They are the landscapes of my life!

I draw or paint quick studies on site in the wilderness, onlong trails, at parties, dance performances and rehearsals or where ever I find an interesting subject. The small painting or sketch and sometimes a photo I take become my reference for the painting. Once the underpainting is laid on the canvas or final paper, I throw the photo or sketch away and finish the work from my stored memory of the scene. At this point the work may depart slightly from the frame of reference. The finished work often show a different perspective than that of the sketch.

| grew up in Southern California near the beach. In childhood, I had a burning need to perfect the art of dancing and painting. In my younger years I danced with Civic Ballet and later entertained and taught ancient Hawaiian, Samoan and Maori Dancing in Hawaii and California. I spent leisure time hiking with my family and friends in the Sierra's and sketched scenes. I painted the windows in the stores in town for the holiday seasons of the year and sketched whenever I could.

Many of my paintings have an urban feel reflecting the many years I lived in cities such as San Francisco, Sacramento and San Diego. Some are juxtapositioned with the forest or desert wilderness where I spend my leisure time hiking and communing with nature. Both bring joy to my heart. The joy of dancing through life!

My hope is that the viewer of my work will discover a new visual perspective of the landscape of life.

Lyn Matthew's art work is in collections throughout the United States. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Davis Campus and Masters Degree in Art Education from Arizona State University. She is represented by Matthew Enterprises, Inc.

Lyn Matthew can be reached at 928.699.7070
or at lyn@lynmatthew.com

© 2006-2008 Lyn Matthew
Matthew Enterprises, Inc.