Matti Paints- Subject Sarah

Painting Sarah was a very different experience from painting Wes.

We have always had a very playful relationship based off of inside jokes and making coffee. The first time we ever got to know each other was drinking in a park over a case of Lambchop’s Playalong. It was a fun night full of fond memories and has lead to one of the most beautiful and exciting friendships I have ever had.
It was no surprise that she said yes to help me with this project, but what was exciting were certain things like the choice of music and the colour choices.

For instance the colour choices she made (Pink, lime green, blue, purple and silver) are all colours reflective of an exciting and party-centered mindset. I joked how the pink and green are natural choices for a child of the early ninties. She joked about Lambchop. Our friendship came full circle. (As it so often does)
Starting the painting was actually a lot of fun. There was a very different mood in this project. She was excited to see what I would create and we were both enjoying the experience. (We also decided that having a screwdriver before would be an excellent choice. I concurred...)

When  the drinks were poured

By the time we had started (mines the one that's been drank from)

Mind you, it did take a while to get to that point. By the time I had poured the drinks, set up the paint choices, set up the ‘studio’ and prepped my brushes... she had picked out three songs. But patience paid off, and we actually had a really amazing time exploring this aspect together.

This was our playlist. It was a good time.

I really had no idea what sort of painting would appear when all was said and done. About halfway through I was worried that the human canvas project would have a terrible entry... and then I remembered what our friendship was based on. She trusted me and as a result I gave into the sense of fun that is so indicative of who we are as a couple. I remembered the good times, the parties, the discussions on the patios and the entire experience became lighthearted and exciting. I experimented. We laughed. We played and a sense of fun overcame us.

The start

Song 1

Song 2

Song "Lets party"

Song "Looks like a claw above my eye"

Song 7

Song "Wait... we only have one song left?"

Song "maybe we can cheat and use 11 songs..."

There is a sense of perfection that is lacking in this piece which I feel is a perfect fit for us. We’re both a bit chaotic with a history of excitement and enjoyment. There was also a heavy sense of love in this piece. Whether it was the light colours, or the shared experiences that have solidified this friendship, it was certainly an enjoyable experience and one I shall remember until I have one too many screwdrivers.
So may I present: Sarah

Matti Paints: Subject Wes

    Me and Wes have a very giving and loving friendship, so he was the obvious first choice for my art project.

This is Subject Wes: Note that it is Groundhog day again

    Right away, from the first stroke I knew that there was something very special about this experience. Painting on someones body has a magical quality about it that I’ve never felt before. There is a palpable amount of trust involved, and an unspoken yet understood agreement that in the end, they are giving you their vulnerability in exchange for a work of art.
    When I first set out on this project I wasn’t anticipating the sheer amount of feelings that go through you as you begin. We started out joking around about the coldness of the brush, but as the work began to take shape, there grew an almost serious quality to the painting.

After Song 2

After Song 4

Close to the end

    I think it started with his colour choices. What was so interesting about them was they were almost the exact colours I would choose. I’m a huge fan of red and blue contrast, and the fact that he chose them meant that it would create a palate I was familiar and eager to work with. Since it’s been so long since my last painting, I appreciated this. However, there is a significant emotional overtone to the colours he picked.

Note: Colours not colors.

Three warm colours: red, orange and pink; followed by two cold colours: blue and teal. The interesting fact was that orange and teal are about as removed as you can get from each other on the colour wheel, while blue, red and purple are all very complimentary. As a result I knew the green would be the odd colour out, and as a result I am left to wonder if Wes knew he was doing this intentionally, or if it was simply the luck of the draw. I wonder if he even realizes how significant that is. Without the green to contrast the other colours the piece would run the risk of being too boring. With it, Wes showed a dangerous, almost rebellious side that gave the piece a level of interest that would have otherwise been lacking.
    As the painting continued a few really interesting things happened. We became silent. I became obsessed with the painting and Wes became contemplative. I’m not sure if he was being quiet for any particular reason, but at a certain point he really did become a human canvas. The music choices also helped to ease and relax the two of us as I worked.  As the painting continued, the songs became more and more melancholic and I soon realized that it was having an effect on both of our moods and the painting itself. His character began to show through as reflective and pensive. It began to reflect, especially in the facial region.

This was his playlist. The last song to play was "How He Loves". Hard to get more deep than that.

    In the end his character was revealed as vibrant, strong and reflective. A man emboldened with wisdom and a history of pain, but with a resolve to move forward.
This is his portrait.

Wes Response:

"I am most grateful to have had this "conversation" with Matti and the results from the future "voices"and to see how their conversations turn to out... to see the resulting colourful conversation."

"The time and space given for the process was quite meaningful in itself. I can't say I've ever been able to engage in a project as provoking with a friend before, however it is one that will be cherished"