Matt Gabler: Painful, Dreamy

Matt, thank you for accepting our invitation to be with you and talk to you for some moments. Tell us about your artistic background story and if there was a pivotal moment when you decided to follow your path as a visual artist?

I come from a family of creatives. I used to be more into sports than art when I was younger; however, with the innate drive to create and my love for a competition, I slowly turned into a creative. Focusing on expressing myself at all times, always finding something different to think about or to display for others.

Being creative in what we do or create is a significant and fundamental matter. With creativity we can make the world awesome. Was there ever a moment of doubt to question your art career entirely?

There were many times that I doubted my abilities, as we all do. Met with defeat we tend to overthink and hesitate and base our ideas on what others will enjoy. And especially when you’re young this happens much more often. However, my response to that over the years has been slowly fading away. A rejection now is a lost opportunity for the other party.

In fact, doubt is an element of faith. Matt, what is your daily routine when working in your studio?
I prefer to work early in the morning, the chaotic mess is too much to deal with before going to sleep. I mix my paints and prepare my canvases, I use knives, flames, rocks, and feathers to paint along with the traditional paintbrushes. I have a saying, I put the canvases through as much pain as we go through.

All of us are eager to know about our favorite artist’s creation from A to Z. So, take us through your process of making your artworks. How do you move from an idea to an artwork? Where does an artwork begin for you?
I change my ideas and my application of the paint consistently, if I do the same thing for too long, I grow bored, and it becomes too easy. Ideas come out like a Gatling gun, nonstop . There’s never a minute to not consider what to do next, for to sit there and think is already too much time wasted.

Good job! Do you seek a uniform concept or style while creating your artworks? I mean, is there a central concept connecting all your works together or each series or artwork is unique?
My paintings all have similarities because even though I change things up, my technique never changes. And my technique is raw, unfiltered, pain.

Some artists prefer their artworks to be decoded by the viewers, while others give them clues. How do you favor, Matt? Would you like to give a particular interpretation of your work to your viewers or you prefer to leave the whole interpretation to your audience?
The name itself gives the interpretation of the painting. The painting I create can sometimes be confusing, but once you notice the title the painting begins to make sense. I tell my collectors once you understand one painting it makes it easier to understand another one, then you’re in a small club of people who truly appreciate and understand what I have struggled to express.

You tell a story through the colors, textures, or figures of your artworks. How do you seek and use inspiration for your works?
I don’t get inspired the traditional way. I simply think of what I want to do when I want to do it, no subliminal messaging no subconscious thoughts. I go to the canvas with an empty mind and I just flow with the painting. I get out of the way. For if you think too much or hesitate too much you’ll ruin the painting.

What about the subjects you choose? How do you select your artworks subjects? Where they come from?
I never go into a painting with a definitive idea of what I’m going to paint. I allow the painting to do that by itself. Once I finish painting the message and story are revealed and therefore I am their storyteller.

Yes, indeed, art is free, and there’s no must in art. Through your paintings, there are depictions, emotions, and more that showcase scenes in our lives. Is there an artwork or series that you would like to be remembered for? And if yes, what is it?
My original favorite series is my series on stalkers. It was my first definitive series that I stuck with successfully. When I was painting them, they had the same colors and shapes with different applications causing them to reveal the story of a girl with a stalker.

Some great artists or masters can be influential in the art that an artist presents. What are your art influences? Who are your favorite contemporary or historical artists and why?
My favorite artists are Picasso, Dali, and Pollock. I love Picasso for his breaking of traditional figures, Dali for his dream-like paintings and unique view on life, and Pollock for breaking all the rules of painting.

And, if you could meet one of your ideal artists from the past, who would it be and what will you ask about?
I would love to speak to Picasso and explain to him how exciting it will be when I own one of his easels.

Our readers are willing to follow your works because they insist that there’s always a pleasurable story behind each of your artworks. Any upcoming works or future projects that you would like to share with our readers?
I have a solo art show coming up and I’m up for many exhibitions. Along with that, I’m planning an independent solo art show this fall.