Exclusive interview with Canberra painter and tattoo apprentice Matthew Gordon


Why portraiture?  Do you think of yourself as old fashioned in this respect?
I've always loved portraits, from simple lines to photo realism its just something I've always found amazing.
Portraits are such a challenge i think that's what draws me to it, Its pretty exciting when a painting starts to come together, it becomes an obsession, all I want to do is finish it.
That can work in reverse though, especially when I get into something I can't get syked on, thats when a painting takes forever.
I don't really think of myself as old fashioned but I definitely have a deep respect for all the old greats.
 


I like that you paint people with painted skin ... well - that tattooed people are some of your subjects.  What is it that you like about this as a subject?
I'm always surrounded by tattooed people, I guess its natural that they end up in my paintings.  Getting faces right is one thing but getting tattoos right is a whole new ball park.  Tattooed people are interesting, so painting them keeps me into what I'm doing, I'm also currently doing an apprenticeship at Freestyle Tattoo in Canberra, it's awesome to see both side of the tattoo world, getting tattooed and giving tattoos.
 
Dream list of people you'd like to have sit for you...
It's difficult to say, I don't really have a dream list. I pick people at random or people that interest me at the time.  For instance, I could be hanging out with someone getting tattooed or just having a conversation and if I have my camera with me I ask if I can take some snaps to paint and I just go from there.

If I had to choose though maybe Mike Giant or Sabrina Kelly, they have some cool tattoos and they look like they'd be fun to hang out with.  Also it would be cool to collaborate with someone like Shawn Barber one day, his work is incredible.
or paint someone while they tattooed me. Haha, that would be intense.
 


What is your favourite aspect of the painting process?
The last session when I'm doing all the final detail, for example, The light in the eyes and the shine on the skin and lips.  All the parts that make the painting pop and come together.
 
Where is your studio?  What is the community like?
I was painting out of a room the size of a closet but because of space issues i had to upgrade.  I've just recently converted my garage into a studio space, having the room to do 5 paintings at once instead of 1 is great.

Canberra is such a weird place, in some ways its more like a big country town than a city.
There is a lot of people, Artists and musicians here that have so much to give but nowhere to go.  I think that's why they are all moving to sydney or melbourne.
 
What is your favourite snack while you paint?
Haha, I don't really eat while I paint, being covered in oil and turps I think I'd definantly end up swallowing something I shouldn't. A cold drink is always good.  Though I've picked up the turps jar by mistake a few times.
 


Upcoming exhibitions / projects?
I've got some new stuff in the works, some things I'm pretty excited on.
I'm currently putting together a project using bikes called ride free, it correlates with the freedom of art, tattoos and riding.

Pretty much a free for all, I'm looking forward to putting more time into it.
So far I've painted the likes of tattoo artists Ross Byfield, Rose Hardy, Chris and May Rushmer. I wont give it all away just yet. I will hopefully start doing shows for that late 2009.