matti mclean
Matti McLean is a multidisciplinary artist and writer working in Toronto, Ontario.
As a creator he has healmed several creative projects including the body painting project “The Human Canvas Initiative” and the production of several theatrical productions throughout Toronto and Ontario.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
My artwork focuses on the idea that things never stop changing. What begins as one painting will often morph and change into something completely different and reveal entirely new revelations as it grows.
Matti McLean is a multidisciplinary artist and writer working in Toronto, Ontario.
As a creator he has healmed several creative projects including the body painting project “The Human Canvas Initiative” and the production of several theatrical productions throughout Toronto and Ontario.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
My artwork focuses on the idea that things never stop changing. What begins as one painting will often morph and change into something completely different and reveal entirely new revelations as it grows.
$350.00
Acrylic, pen, resin on canvas.
16x18"
There’s something special about returning to styles and patterns that you’ve made before. This painting took a long time to get it to where I felt like it was what I had wanted it to be. But adding the outlined geometric shapes went a long way to tying the piece together in a major way.
Overall what I like most about this piece is just how dynamic it became. The many layers complimenting each other in a palette that I don't normally play with.
$350.00
Acrylic, pen, resin on canvas.
14x16"
You know that feeling where you have so much in your head, you just have to get it all out?
And then you start and you just can’t stop? You just keep going. You just keep talking and arguing with yourself and you can’t seem to stop your tongue from waggling all over that?
Well, I also have noisy brain and I really wanted to make this piece as a way to demonstrate this.
Here we have hundreds of lines of poetry with a semi-gloss paint over top of it that allows you to read fragments of the wording underneath. Every time you look at this piece another line will jump out at you and there’s always a wide variety of the works that just enhance what you already have.
Also I will always be a sucker for a good Mean Girls reference.
$350.00
Acrylic, pen, resin on canvas.
16x18"
There’s many reasons to be upset about a lot of social issues that are going on right now in our world: But right now I’m mostly mad on behalf of our big, blue, wet things. (Shoutout to Muppet Treasure Island) Between pollution and the actions over the past century our oceans are now more threatened than ever.
I painted this as a way to try to bring attention to the worlds oceans and how right now they need our protection more than ever. We have reason to be upset by what is happening in our oceans right now. For something that takes up more than ⅔ of our planet- it is also one of the most vulnerable regions. From shark finning, to coral bleaching, to over fishing- it’s got a lot of problems- and there’s never been a better time to fight for it’s protection.
I wish there was an easy solution to this problem- but right now, it just makes me angry that this is something that we even need to talk about still. But if this painting can help to open up dialogues about it, then I’ll consider that a small win.
$350.00
Acrylic, pen, resin on canvas.
16x18"
Home In the Bay is a very personal piece to me.
Coming from Northern Ontario roots, I really miss the small town surrounded by trees vibe that envelopes a city completely. There is such a peace and relaxing quality to the untamed wilderness of that region. You find yourself dwarfed by the endless expanses of trees and rocks, (And rocks and trees and trees and rocks - This is an Arrogant Worms reference) and in that space you can feel so connected to the world around you and reminded that we are but small specks of men on a giant living rock hurtling through the black inkinesss of space.
In the city, it can be hard to feel that sort of natural connectedness. Surrounded by towering structures of steel and glass you can feel insignificant in a completely different way- but within the wash of concrete there are still flecks of the natural world that will always creep through.
I really love how this image captures that feeling of the natural beauty of the Northern Ontario wilderness. There’s a striking beauty to it that is impossible to replicate, but that is so apparent when put through on this level is so vibrant and necessary to see and feel.
$350.00
Acrylic, pen, resin on canvas.
16x18"
It sits somewhere between the world being a perfect combination of darkness and brightness - balanced upon a perfect marriage between what cannot be saved and what must be protected.
This painting was a huge surprise to me. When dealing with such bright colours - especially when they’re in a fluid form, the colours can very easily run too thin to stand out, or can get overpowered easily by the other forms. But in this painting, it formed a perfect balance that I was extremely proud of.
What this painting reminds me of is the idea of balance between light and dark, life and death, and order and chaos. The opposing forces that are forever trying to balance themselves in an effort to make themselves better.
$1,500.00
Mixed media on paper.
36x36"
A vibrant pieces that reveals vibrant colour and line work underneath a monochromatic top layer
$1,500.00
Mixed media on canvas (framed).
24x36"
A piece designed to inspire based on its flow and movement. Evoking almost spiritual imagery with the bursts of colour, this piece is designed to invigorate and stimulate the viewer in a palpable way.
$300.00
Mixed media on canvas.
16x20"
A fantastical take on a mountainscape and castle done with loose pours and added texture.
$350.00
Mixed media on canvas.
16x20"
A poured painting that focuses on a mountain and landscape with a heavy inspiration of impressionism in the style of Monet.
$100.00
Mixed media on canvas.
5x5"
A layered pour painting that features a striking take on the waterways of northern Ontario in a new and unique way
$100.00
Mixed media on canvas.
5x5"
An abstracted take on a lake that I used to swim in as a child. Designed to give a feeling of peace and relaxation.
$200.00
Mixed media on canvas.
14x11"
A chaotic blend of pouring and whip techniques, this piece embodies the feeling of a planet in motion, and is a perfect fit for a space that is seeking excitement and energy.