Vincent Matthews VPSGFA

Biography 

Drawing is a very important part of all of Vincent’s work, which is varied. He likes to work in different media, to sketch from observation and to manipulate images through a drawing process. Most of his finished work derives from his sketchbooks and reflects the character of each medium, taking drawn reference material to another level. Printmaking is wonderful for this purpose. Vincent loves detail and to express marks, however fine they are.

Vincent is very inspired by the bleak landscape around Rye, its fishing boats and history, as well as old buildings and their surroundings. Faces also interest him, and he often has a small sketchbook with him so that he can quickly draw any interesting people that he sees. He enjoys etching, copperplate engraving, drawing with a pencil, monoprinting, watercolour and oil painting.

Due to deafness, Vincent drew before he could talk. After studying at Maidstone College of Art and Croydon College of Art and Design from 1977-1981, he went on to work in the design studio of Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler Ltd for 26 years, producing interior architectural and furniture designs by hand on the drawing board. Vincent rediscovered his passion for art in 2003, and after completing his life-changing contemporary fine art course at CityLit in 2007, left his job to pursue it more seriously. Vincent was elected a member of the SGFA Council in 2016.