Matthew Hayes

Matthew mainly works with palette knives to create his signature impasto paintings. Introducing thick layers and peaks of paint and gesso add another dimension, build depth and atmosphere into his work. This process then enables him to visually capture light and dark through his highly textured surfaces. These manipulated qualities allow the work to be more than just abstracted scenic paintings. His aim is to evoke intense emotion and memories to somewhere that is simultaneously familiar and distant to the viewer.

Painting places that he has a strong personal bond with or new encounters whilst travelling, Matthew uses art to explore change in land and seascapes: considering how natural textures, changes in the weather and seasons can create a feeling of something beautifully delicate one minute, and then wild and uncontrollable the next. A fleeting mood and moment in time. He uses palette knives and brushes to add an expressive element to his free flowing and intuitive work.

Born and still living in Kent, Matthew captures his local surroundings as well as coastal scenes in the Isle of Wight, Cornwall, the Lake District, and beyond as frequent subjects, which he often sketches plein- air or photographically records for reference...

Educated in art at Thanet Technical College, where I studied fine art, Textile surface design, graphics, photography and art history.

I then went on to gain a BA Hons in Art & Design at the University of Hertfordshire.

I had my own business creating and supplying design for both the fashion and wall covering industries, with many of many designs being used on the catwalk and for home furnishings.

I am a trained interior designer and have supplied my art to private and business collectors.