Van Matino – Korean Artist

Name: Art Leaders Gallery
Price range: $$$

Contemporary Landscape and Still-Life Paintings

Learn More About Van Matino

Van Matino takes everyday objects and elements of nature to create striking paintings. From the artist’s perspective, his oil paintings strive to display harmony. From landscapes and modern seascapes, to vivid floral paintings, he balances the composition. For example, he places light and shadow against a simple, yet rich palette. The combination creates a unified whole. His works are sometimes whimsical, sometimes intense, and sometimes serene. His technique involves the use of pallet knife work with thick brushstrokes and of paint on the canvas. This adds a lot of depth to his original oil paintings. Matino’s original oil paintings always leave the viewer feeling complete.

Artist Biography

Van Matino was born in Korea in 1955. He was raised with a love for nature and simplicity. After graduating from Dong-Kook University with a degree in philosophy, he strived to incorporate his heritage and education into his artwork. Since graduating, Van Matino has received many prizes for his paintings including the grand prize for the Korean Arts Grand Exhibition in 1979, as well as the Golden Prize for the MBC Grand Art Exhibition in 1980. By his early twenties, he had already become a well-known member of the local art scene.

Painting for over 30 years, Van Matino, paints to express moods, “To capture certain feelings or moods rather than the obvious image”. Along with a myriad of artists, he is most inspired by Monet, specifically his mastery of color and light. However, his first inspiration came by coincidence. His father’s close friend happened to be a painter. As a result, they frequently visited this friend at his studio. He recalls the distinct smell of the artist’s studio, especially the oil paint oder. Soon, everything about oil painting intrigued Van Matino. He insists the colors created from the oils have persuaded him to paint. Finally, it became a positive source for expressing his creativity.

Currently, Van Matino is in many associations including both the Korean Fine Art Associations. He has held countless shows, and his oil paintings are collected worldwide. His work is highly sought after and is displayed in galleries throughout the United States and abroad. In sum, find Matino’s work available at Art Leaders Gallery.

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