How does art express emotion? After seeing contemporary artist Matt’s expressive paintings one can understand it clearly. His art channelized all the emotions of his life events, whether it is traumatic experience of losing his arm during a childhood accident or stepping out from the digital world of software development to the colorful world of passionate art. Some of his notable projects are “UN postal stamp”, “31 days in July” and "Solomon Islands and Bulgaria". His creative intensity and high energy are the keys to his successful projects. “Join Hands” is a documentary about Matt which shows his unique journey.

If you have to describe your journey from IBM software Engineer to Full time painter in one sentence, what will be that sentence?M: I started painting while I was working as a computer software engineer and originally I liked it, now I love it and can't live without it!

What is the message you try to convey through your painting?M: I like to make people have an emotional reaction to my paintings. It can be funny, happy and usually curious.

Why most of your painting shows big teeth and curious eyes?M: I like the way the red lips and the white teeth look. You can't tell whether the person or animal is happy, sad, smiling, or laughing.

How exactly do you relate yourself with your painting?M: I try to put all my energy into my painting. It comes naturally to me now so I am very lucky to have the time and space to paint. I oftentimes relate my disability in my art by showing my characters a having a missing arm or leg.

If you have to paint one of the world famous painting in your own style. What will be the painting and how you will modify that painting?M: I painted my rendition of the Luncheon of the Boating Party" that is on display here in Washington, DC at a museum. You can see I gave them the big teeth and lips. There is also a little dog in the painting.
Note: Please check at the end of interview Matt's rendition of "Lunchon of the Boating Party"

what is your favorite painting so far and why?M: My favorite painting is always my most recent painting. Many artists say that "we are only as good as our last painting".

What are your other hobbies?M: I like to sit with my cats and hang out with my wife and eat her delicious vegan cooking. She is also an artist so we have a lot of fun doing exhibitions together.

How can art play an important role for our special children?M: Art can help us all communicate feelings and emotions that are unable to be said in words. When we have something that is hard or challenging or makes us sad, sometimes the best way to think about it and to put the feeling aside is to paint or draw about it.

Any special message for our community?M: Always keep creating art! You have a special gift and opportunity to share with people that do not have the experiences you have. Every person has their own individual life and many art fans are especially interested to see your experiences in art! So many of the paintings I do I think aren't very good, but I realize that if I put my heart into it and my feelings into it, somebody will want to see it.

His rendition of the "Luncheon of the Boating Party" that is on display in Washington, DC at a museum