Artist Profile

Gloria Matuszewski

Novato, CA

I seek to create fields of time and space on paper and canvas. Imagery has fallen away and what remains are works of no time and no identifiable space; they've become a sense of the place, the intrinsic nature of the season or the essence of the moment.

Each piece begins with the grid, drawn in a ritualistic manner. The squares are usually half-inch, drawn in pencil, and then filled in, one at a time, either in oil or in pencil. The work can take a long time; I like knowing what I have to do when I have had to stop and then return again. The grids have become anchors for me, and indeed the square as a shape is meant to symbolize solidity, security and stability. Architects, engineers, artists, and mathematicians in many cultures throughout history have used the square as a foundation, the building block of their geometry.

As the grid becomes filled in there is a chi or energy unique to the particular work with the developing layers. I like stepping aside and seeing where the painting or drawing leads me. They all begin similarly but vary from peaceful meditative pieces to works with text and patterns moving into a deeper space.

Matuszewski has lived and worked in the Bay Area for most of her life. She received a BA from UC Berkeley and a Secondary Teaching Credential from SF State University. Further education was in the Arts and Consciousness program at JFK University and Asian Art History Studies at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.

She has won several awards and shown nationally and internationally. Her work is in several private and corporate collections. Currently she is represented by the Andra Norris Gallery and the Lori Austin Gallery. For a complete resume see her web site, www.gloriamatuszewski.com.

Matuszewski lives and works in Novato and is teaching a beginning Tai Chi class through MarinMOCA.