Artist Statement

"Through my subject matter, I must capture each subtle miracle of life and emotion...the complexity, color, and creativity that I experience on a daily basis. I live life and must pour its complexity and serenity on canvas...I paint me. My favorite artist's work is seen everywhere and in everything...the artist is God. Check the sky out daily...it is an ongoing canvas that changes every day. Like the oil paint that I love, God continues to add new layers to me, making me better with each stroke. Sharing my envisioned scenes with viewers, I hope to incite them to think on another level and derive their own interpretation."

About the Artist

Artist Matthew Rice's vivid imagination, surrounding influences and incredulous ability to overcome life's obstacles transcend words as his wondrous creations bring emotions to life on canvas through subtly blended, yet intense oil and watercolor brush strokes. Selecting colors based upon how a thought or scene makes him feel, Matthew pushes the boundaries of design and perspective often stripping them of their objective content and presenting viewers with a natural gateway to escape.

Growing up in the heart of Baltimore, Maryland, Matthew used his paintings as a positive outlet and tool to keep him from falling prey to the negative influences he saw envelop his peers on a daily basis. His dedication to drawing colors out of objects and compulsion to use whatever was closest to pour out the creation would not be overlooked by those closest to him. During his seventh grade summer, his Grandmother sponsored his enrollment in an artist academy and it was during this program that Matthew first experienced and leveraged the interplay of varied mediums to bring his imagination to life on canvas. Matthew drew his early inspiration from his ability to travel to different places all over the world by using a nice photo or magazine cover and his 'Blu imagination'.

After completing his first academy painting, Matthew gently placed his watercolor re-creation of a swamp and marsh from his favorite National Geographic Magazine cover into his Grandmother's hands, which she still holds near and dear to this day.

A Penn State University graduate, Matthew uniquely intertwined his natural and acquired artistic talents by pursuing Bachelor of Arts degrees in Integrative Arts and African American Studies. In addition to his educational pursuits, Matthew was a three-year starter defensive end for the Nittany Lions. Infamous for his role in leading the football team to an 11-1 record and a 2005 Big Ten championship season, Matthew stunningly used his artwork as a vision for turning his on-the-field experiences into a success. Most notably, his energetically vibrant painting "Bluprint" not only served as the official blueprint for the team's season, but remains to this day a signature Penn State football poster for the team and fans.

After completing his 2006 season with NFL Europe and waiting for the Detroit Lions training camp to begin, Matthew faced his toughest challenge when his passion and talent for both art and football was threatened by a seizure he experienced in his sleep and prognosis of a tumor on the right side of his brain. Refusing to accept his initial doctors' belief that Matthew would never paint or play football again, Matthew's response to his life flashing before his eyes was and remains to credit God and his surgery for granting him the necessary time to focus more on his art and the possibility to someday incorporate football back into his life.

Gaining the time to realize the benefits of translating his artistic passion into a career, Matthew created his company Mateo Blu LLC. Matthew, equivalent to Mateo in Spanish, meaning "a gift from God" and Blu reflecting the most infinite emotion is quite apropos for Matthew's gifts and firm belief that each literal and physical step he takes is derived from God. Matthew's talent, passion, dedication, persistence, faith, and corporate venture have not only allowed him to realize the success as an artist he always envisioned, but also garnered much attention netting Matthew exposure in magazines, newspapers, and radio spots. His raw, yet cultivated artistic gifts combined with his humility and giving nature also led to Matthew receiving an artist stipend from, and the support of, Silver Starr Art Studios LLC (SSAS).

Matthew's artistic creations are exhibited in museums, juried exhibitions, gallery competitions, auctions, and charitable events. For more information about Matthew, and to view more of his creations, visit www.mateoblu.com or contact a SSAS representative at 866-825-7182.