About the Artist
Even before entering the University of Texas Fine Arts School, March had worked in a variety of art media: She graduated from UT Austin, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art (painting and drawing). She also attended the University of Oslo, Norway, Fine Art School during one summer, concentrating in art and art history. March lived in Norway for a year as a young woman, and that experience made a lasting impression on her art work. The night scenes, mountain and Nordic snow scenes in her pastels are especially inspired by her memories of that beautiful, exotic place. Her tropical paintings reflect the brilliant light and color she perceived while on a trip to Hawaii.
Artist Statement
We are all exposed to many different elements throughout the course of our lives. Our reactions are tempered by a complex combination of our intrinsic nature, social experiences, formal and informal education and individual personalities.
Each one of my paintings represents a unique, specific moment in time when mood or pressing thoughts demand external expression. The translation of ephemeral emotion to visual form requires a separation, or release from conscious thought, allowing color, texture and motion to take over, creating their own unique entity. Aspirations, hopes, dreams, thoughts and feelings... we all have them. I know I have succeeded in the transformation when I am able to step back, look at the painting, and feel it elicits the very emotions that were intended.
-March Mattingly
