About Matt Alston

While in Cortona, Italy in 1986 I found my true subject matter, light and color. Over the years since then, my favorite way to pursue this subject matter has been through the medium of watercolor. Now, I always bring my paintbox with me when I travel. 

One location where magic has been made, for more than 30 years, is beachfront at the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. There, I work alla prima, in the same location, starting before daylight. The colors of the sky and clouds reflecting off the beach and tidal pools, at this pristine time of day, present a thrilling but maddening challenge:  I have only 30 to 40 minutes, before the sun rises, to complete one or two paintings (twins). After that, I’m blinded when the sun crosses the horizon. There is absolutely  no time to be fussy!  Once the light drastically alters, for good or ill, I’m done. I make honest attempts, within this limited timeframe, to interpret whatever nature offers. Overcast or partly cloudy mornings are my favorite since I have more time to paint. 

When I feel time pressure, I simply ask myself — what would JMW Turner or Winslow Homer do?

Education and Accomplishments:

Bachelor of Fine Arts Drawing and Painting from the University of Southern Mississippi, 1984 

• Graduate Assistant USM ‘83/‘84 (taught Freshman drawing)

Master of Fine Arts Painting from the University of Georgia, 1986

•    Graduate Assistantship for Studies Abroad Program in Cortona, Italy (assistant painting instructor)