Welcome !

To Grace Matthews Blog

Happy Thanksgiving

Hi, that's me in my studio and Rudy's quilt is on the table (in the process of being quilted). Rudy's quilt is finished now and is the fourth work in "My American Family". "My American Family" is a series of painted quilts of (what else but) my family. I continue to add to and build on this series. Another ongoing quilt project is the Flower Series. The Flower series is inspired by color, California and Georgia O'keefe. As I find my way in this creative journey I have created a variety of Quilts and Textiles.

I'm an artist living in San Diego and I'm Faith Ringgold's artist assistant and have been since 1994. I paint, quilt, draw, make day of the dead boxes, dabble with encaustic (because of friends Anna & Judy), do ceramics, photography, commissions and pet memorials. I've enjoyed working on textile commissions like the Peace Quilt, Chuppa and something for the Metropolitan's new Uris Center. Because of my love for Pugs and the many pug Images I've created I've been commissioned to paint animal portraits too. I offer a variety of workshops on doll making, Quilt making and boxes.

I've been blogging since 2007 and have helped quite a few of my artist friends set up blogs of their own! I consider myself a novice technorati and I am happy to help anyone that wants tips on setting up their own blog. We are in a revolution, it's not Free Love like the 60's but the communication lines are wide open and since a picture says a thousand words artists you have to get your work on-line and Share it Freely, it's all love.

I've put images of my quilts, paintings, drawings, boxes and prints on this site. You can access everything including videos from the "On this Blog" list on your left. I've also added a list of friends, exhibitions and other sites.

Are you interested in hosting an exhibition? Take a look at exhibitions available for loan.

I welcome commissions and feedback so let me know what you think of the artwork and this blog. Here is my contact information.

From the studio

Crazy for President ObamaObama doll or soft sculpture in process

Photo taken on 5/15/09

Barack Obama inauguration, 2009

acrylic on paper 11 x 14

I painted this before the inauguration. The process was like visualizing a dream.

I'm back in the studio after a long time away. I'm excited about the possibility of the positive changes that Barack Obama will bring to our country and so I was inspired to make a painting to commemorate his historic inauguration day. This painting is acrylic on paper and it will get a few changes. I'll add myself and a few friends to the crowd. We will all be there in spirit on Jan 20, 2009.

It is a day of History and Inspiration !

I made this digital painting while watching the inauguration.

7 x 12 Ceramic tile commemorating

President Obama's 2009 inauguration

In the collection of Faith Ringgold

Order an 8 x 10 photo print of this work for $20.
Includes shipping within the US.

This is a commissioned portrait of a burro named Elvis with Granite mountain in the background. Elvis was painted in acrylic on wood panels. The panels were installed on a refrigerator in a custom home in Arizona. I'll post photos of the kitchen soon.

Sue's painted quilt is finally finished! June 2009

Currently in the Studio:

This is a portrait of my sister, Sue who loves to garden. Sue came to San Diego to pose for this work. The painting was finished for a while now but had to be put on hold to work on Elvis and a box show. Now Sue is on the table and getting quilted.

Also in the Studio: Mail Art

I started a Collaborative Mail Art Group on Face book. The Face Book group is fun and has a feeling of community. It is inspirational to have conversations and see the on-going comments on each of the works. In fact some of the artists shared what inspires them to do their work, see what inspires artists

"I have a ritual to get 2 working. Enter studio with coffee, lots of bags & my dog Lita. Read paper. Make a list or review list. Write in journal. Walk around work area.I'm in. I usually have several projects going at one time so I'm never at a loss of what 2 do.

- Anna Stoa

Several of the Collaborative Art Group members have agreed to participate in an exhibition to be hosted by the Escondio Municipal Gallery in January 2010.

Reception January 9, 2010 from 5:30 -7:30pm

Here's an example of one of the 100's of Mail Art works were in rotation. This is a work that I started called, The First Dance. Three other artists have added to the work. There are five members in my group so two more artists will work on it before it comes back home to me.

The First Dance

Face Book Collaborative Mail Art Project

This is how "The First Dance" looked when I sent it to Stacie Birkey Greene.

Stacie added the word hope, a flower and the pale blue in the bottom quarter of the image on the left. Lisa Bebi added a red heart, yellow and random letters and numbers.

Priscilla Kennedy added the words at last and added red and blue to the presidential seal.

Now I wait for the last 2 artists to make their additions and then return it to me.

Ongoing in the studio

are these recycled CD mobils, babies love the patterns and reflections. When the sun reflects off of the moving CD's the light moves and bounces around the room.

New Prints

Three Ravens, 2009

Lino Cut

Morning Glories, 2009

Silkscreen

8 x 10 inches

Anyone Can Fly Foundation print

Click this link to see more of my prints

Flower Box, 2008

5 x 5 x 7

I see Flower Box every day because it's on a shelf near my computer. I love the shiny red ceramic protrusions and the bright colors of the box. I made it for the box show at the Athenaeum in La Jolla.

Here's my pride and joy catching some rays with his white chin.

Night blooming Jasmine flowers seems to be suspended in space and time.

in my back patio stuck on a web.

More News, Haps and Projects

Borritos, puppies and sex.

Take a look at exhibitions available for loan.

Take a look at exhibitions available for loan.

Take a look at exhibitions available for loan.