Matthew Rice started painting during his third semester of college at the Pennsylvania State University. Although, he was a full time student-athlete, he used drawing and sketching as an outlet to express himself and to help him deal with the daily pressures of life. A few years later, he was visiting with a family friend who was on her deathbed and she told him “the worst thing you can do in life is to take the gifts of God to the grave unused.” That was a turning point for Matthew when he realized that he had a special gift that he had to start to use.
Upon graduating from The Pennsylvania State University, Matthew enjoyed a professional football career with the NFL which offered him opportunities to play for the Buffalo Bills, St. Louis Rams, New York Giants, and the Detroit Lions. In 2007, Matthew’s football career was ended by a series of seizures that confirmed a brain tumor in his right frontal lobe, which ironically is where the artistic abilities are derived. However, after a successful surgery to remove the tumor, he was told that the removal might actually improve his artistic ability and allow him to develop his talents to a fuller capacity.
From that point on, Matthew has taken this second chance at life and is pursuing his passion and using his gifts to create art that promotes positive change in humanity. He has created seven art series, which is constantly expanding, as well as, adding new series to his collection. He has traveled across the United States and Europe to show his artwork to captive audiences. He has also has founded a non-profit organization, The Blu Art Foundation, which focuses on providing arts education to children in low-income communities.
Matthew Rice’s inspiration stems from the gift of life and its many lessons. He takes what he has learned and experienced and transforms that into his original pieces of artwork. He has built a philosophy of not being bound by limitations, which has allowed him to have the freedom to explore, experiment and create many different styles and subject matters. His focus is to express his voice, his thoughts, his emotions, his viewpoints, and his outlook on life through his art with his main mission being to promote positive change in humanity through the arts.
Mateo Blu Art provides original paintings, prints, commissioned pieces, murals, art classes, and fundraising events.