Two New Live Paintings, First Guitar Painting, STELLAIRE Graphic and LVR Portrait Series

"There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth. Not going all the way, and not starting."

~Siddhartha~

When one can escape the everyday life for just a short time and explore the inner realities of dreams and passions, new realities are born. Traveling through Colorado in March with Derek VanScoten brought an inner peace as I experimented on the canvas in 4 towns for 4 consistent nights. "Follow Your Dreams" expresses the connections, inspirations and insights I had through out the tour.

"Follow Your Dreams"

Painted during:

Malakai, Derek VanScoten and Polish Ambassador at Three20South

in Breckenridge, Co 3.14.12

Derek VanScoten and OTT at the Aggie Theatre in Ft. Collins, Co

3.15.12

Govinda, Derek VanScoten and OTT at the Summit Music Hall

in Denver, Co 3.1612

Benny Loco, Derek VanScoten and The Polish Ambassador

at the Fox Theatre in Boulder, Co 3.17.12

For Sale: Base Price $350 Inquire at chapinmathews@gmail.com

Malakai, or Kai, came to me after the tour in request for a piece of art on an electric guitar he is rebuilding. I gladly jumped on the project and had an enjoyable, experimental first time painting on a guitar. Here is a photograph of the guitar finished with more photos available for your viewing pleasure on this album. Also, feel free to check out Malakai's music here!

"Kai" Painted by Chapin Mathews April 2012

In support for my friend Missy Stewarts hoop group, I created this graphic for their latest promo. STELLAIRE will be performing at the Jacksonville Superfest in Florida April 13th-15th. I wish you all the best of luck!

"STELLAIRE" by Chapin Mathews 4.6.12

The LVR Portrait Series is a photo concept comparing and expressing the contrast of the left and right sides of the brain or cerebral hemispheres connected by the corpus callosum. With the winter beard in full bloom, I shaved half my face to reflect these ideals and characteristics we associate with the two sides of the brain. Below is one of five photographs taken and edited by Joe Zalan. The whole series can be viewed at the LVR Portrait Series album here.

Chapin Mathews March 2012

" It is my purpose in this life to share my creative passions with the human race and inspire others to help cultivate the creative revolution needed in society."

Quote from Artist Statement 2012 CM♥

Upon my arrival to Colorado back in September, life has brought many surprises and changes which is expected to come when moving 1,800 miles. In October 2011 I started my first Colorado piece, "Kabudachi", which stands for a particular bonsai tree that has multiple trunks all growing from the same point, or root. I slowly worked on this piece at live performances and in the studio from October 2011 to April 2012, conveying the evolving emotional changes I went through during my locational change . Here is the final image of "Kabudachi". All forms growing from one point!

"Kabudachi"

Painted during:

Michael Garfield and other local electronic artists at Cervantes Masterpiece

in Denver, Co 10.25.11

Michael Garfield at the Aspen Lodge in Estes Park, Co

10.28.11

Virtual Boy, The Malah and Papadosio at the Summit Music Hall

in Denver , Co 12.9.11

Studio 2012

Sold

In a final conclusion, I am ecstatic to announce the beginning blooms of my 2012 summer tour with the addition as an official live painter at Wakarusa Music festival. This has been a dream of mine for quite some time and I am excited to collaborate on this voyage with so many other beautiful artists. You can check out the rest of my summer tour in the section labeled Schedule 2012 to the right. Many more additions are to come and I appreciate all the support and positive energy I have been receiving these past few weeks.

Thanks for tuning in and look forward to more production and tour information in the coming weeks. Aloha!

Chapin Mathews

4.8.12 ♥

"If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present."

~Lao Tzu~

What a Time, a Time it Has Been.... Part 1

It has been quite some time since my last publishing and there has been a plethora of experiences and events to catch up on. Upon the beginning of May and just after my last post, a gift came to me. Some may not see this situation as a gift, and I did not at first either. I received a call late afternoon Monday, May 9th right before I was going into work that our shift had been laid off. I had been employed by Brown-Greer law firm for close to 5 months reviewing claims for the British Petroleum spill that occurred back in April of 2010. I really had enjoyed the work environment and the job emphases on monetarily compensating people in need. At first I was upset and spent the whole week planting a new garden, putting all my energy and feelings into it. This week humbled me to see the light in the situation. Find the good. All at the same time my relationship came crashing down and all I could see was black. I had to...... escape. I did not want to run or hide. I just felt like bursting.

All that had been consistent, was, no more.... To many of us, consistency equals comfort. And in many cases consistency has brought me comfort. At this time though I realized that a transitional period was occurring and I came back to this notion that I read a few years ago, stating "change is the only constant." I realized that my comfort was inside the way I was to change and so I started to travel. This intuitive and spontaneous decision became a beautiful and reflective timeline of healing, opening the motivational path to continue traveling through out the summer and share my live creativity with as many people as possible. And it begins.....

First I spent a few days breathing and relaxing by the ocean in Virginia Beach where I am grateful enough to have a little apartment to escape to thanks to Dad and his Real Estate escapades. The ocean is what calms me. I have been in the water swimming and surfing since the age of 3. It brings me back to my youthful center always. A kid again and always at heart.

On may 20th I trekked back to Richmond to paint for the Polycrons and Silo Effect at the Canal Club. This event had been planned for a while with a huge array of artists, decorations, and an opening Dj session by my buddy Miles Milner, all put on by our good friends TeePee Crew Promotions.

"The Mood was Set"

Installation by Sarah Sage and Walker Willow

A shot of me working next the the TeePee

Thanks TeePee Promo for the photos

The Polycrons played a great opening set for my first experience with the band. Silo Effect closed out the night with 2 electrifying sets with 2 special surprise guests. Andrew Lutwin sat in for 2 covers over the night, "Naive Melody" by Talking Heads and "Fame" by David Bowie. Andrew killed it to say the least! Also during the second set Sam Brouse of Papadosio sat in with the Silo Effect coming in on Kasyapa> Cheministry which is a new song for the boys. After the 4 sets that night and working on the piece over the next 2 weeks while I was traveling, here is the final product from the 5.20.11 show.

5.20.11

Original $170

Prints $10

Just a few days after the 5.20 show I drove down to Jacksonville Florida to visit some very close friends of mine for two weeks and also to catch a free Herbie Hancock show during the Jazz Festival over Memorial Day weekend. What a treat it was to see a living legend in a dramatic but simple trio. Not to mention he busted out the "key-tar". Here is a clip I found from the festival in the middle of a jam during "Chameleon".

Jacksonville is always a much needed vacation. I don't ever need a real big excuse or event to come down. I always feel at home when I go and visit my long time friend Alex and his lady Missy in their sweet hospitality. Always some sort of debauchery occurring. It's never a dull moment with those two. During the last weekend of my stay we went down to St. Augustine about an hour south of Jax where Missy's father owns a beach condo. We planned for a very festive stay and not much sleep. We had music instruments, a battery powered IPod player for dancing on the beach and LED and fire hoops for our visual entertainment. Not to mention the beautiful moon and stars all laid out as a blanket for our eyes to wander. I caught some great shots of Missy and a friend with the LED hoops and one of the beautiful sunrises from the weekend.

Sunrise

Missy and friend with LED hoops

Missy Stewart

Hooper for Hire

A few days after St Augustine I packed my bags, said my goodbyes, and drove the long 9 hours back to Richmond to then hop back in the car with the Silo Effect the next day and travel to Ad Astra Festival in Big Island, VA. As I walk up to the main stage area I saw my new painting buddy Thomas Robertson-Forrest who I had met in Richmond during a few events. From that point on we have been soul brothers. We busted ass on our canvases Friday night till 11pm when the music stopped and continued early the next morning painting from noon to 11pm with our casual breaks. It felt like a purge of creativity to paint at this length. It was the highest high I had felt in a long time. Soaking in my own creative aura. And with great vibes and motivation from my new buddy Thomas.

"Flower to Flower"

Painted @ Ad Astra 6.10-11.11

Original $150

Prints $10

This was my set up at the festival. The piece on the easel was from the second night and is still in progress.

As for now, Part 1 is over to hold you in anticipation for Part 2. The next post will include my two week trip out to Colorado where I was able to perform at Sonic Bloom Music Festival, creating 3 new pieces! You can sneak preview them in the slideshow above. Plus 2 new shows from the National in Richmond with Peoples Blues of Richmond and the Jewish Mother in Norfolk with Galaxy Dynamite and the Silo Effect since my arrival back from Colorado. Keep it cool everyone, it's hot out there.

Light and Love,

Chapin Mathews

"You don't change the world to travel, you travel to change the world." Dedrick D.L. Pitter