Sometimes in life you find yourself stepping off your main path in life and down a different path every so often to see what there is and who might be there and sometimes you find something about yourself along the way. The path I referring to in my life is one of art. This fall I have left the main path to take new path I have visited so many times in my life and will take it as far as it goes. To become an artist is part of who I am and it will be interesting who I will become. Throughout my life I have heard people preach to follow your passion, art and specifically painting, is something I knew was in me at a very young age. Throughout my life I have visited the notion of doing art professionally, but the conventional life sometimes does not allow the vantage point to chase notions. At this very point in my life I am ready to make that leap of … passion.
To make art and specifically painting is a solitary endeavor. Yet no artist is ever successful without pivitol people in their life that either nudge or nurture the artist inside you. There have been countless people who have nurtured and supported me throughout my life. I would like to share a special thanks to my son Luukas was instrumental in making this website happen. Yet on this specific path I am taking there are 9 I would like to acknowledge and thank.
Rein Pikat – He was the husband of my godmother and the very first artist I met and knew. He worked as a commercial artist for the Sun Times in Chicago. He exposed me as a child that art was a career and an artist is something you can become. I remember visiting his work area at the Sun Times and mesmerized by all the colors of different mediums at his disposal. When I visited their apartment, I would always go to his easel to see what painting he was working on. He patiently answered many questions about being an artist and how to do art at a very young age. I remember him drawing small humorous cartoons for me about a boy in a dungeon under steps and the wonderful adventures he had escaping from the trolls. If you asked me to name the artist I have known in my life, he would be first on my list.
Carolyn Rosenburger – Ms. Rosenburger was my high school art teacher. I don’t think there was an assignment she would give that I would immediately want to change to push the limits. She never said no. I would remember her walking around the classroom and when she entered my space she always seemed to share a particular interest in what I was up to. She treated me more like a mentor to a fellow artist many times rather than just a teacher. She was the first to affirm my ability to be an artist. I have never forgotten that.
Dick Woppert – One of my oldest artist friends. Our life experiences between fishing, cards and drinking have been memorable. But what I have learned from Dick is art is fun, and that is why he did it. He taught me the valuable connection between the fun of making the art but it is just as fun and important is to share your art with others. It is that sharing that validates our work.
Tim Bryant – We were neighbors on Washington Is. I remember my first dinner I had in his home. Afterward he asked if I wanted to see his studio and a piece he had been working on for months. His studio is the most amazing space I have had the privilege of being in. His piece he was working on was a massive 5ft by 12ft. He shared in detail the process he used to get to this point on this abstract piece in which he felt stuck and asked for my advice. I remember studying the piece and saying, “Well I am not an artist, but this is what I think.” And proceeded to share my intuition about a small handful of obscure lines that bothered me and why. He sucked on his pipe, and retorted, “Mati, you are an artist, you just don’t know it.” That single line of candor, struck me sideways and has echoed my mind many times. Tim had become a close friend in life and art. I am grateful for his mentorship and friendship. His encouragement has been has been huge.
Carrie Linder – Carrie had been a partner who provided me vital love and support in my life which allowed me to start my first portfolio of paintings. She had allowed me into her life and her space. Her pretty eyes have more than once help me see colors I couldn’t. I will have a sincere sense of gratitude for love she has given me. She is an amazing person. Without her support I wouldn’t have gotten this far.
Jan Wagner – Jan is another good friend on Washington Island. I remember we were sitting at Karly’s Bar talking about life and I mentioned in passing Tim had encouraged me to do some pieces and I had just finished doing a small abstract landscape piece. She asked to see it, I was a little hesitant but I pulled out my phone and showed a picture of it. Her response was immediate, “Oh, that is beautiful! I definitely could see that in my home!” she said with a sense of passion for the piece. Creating art is an intimate experience, and it was the first time somebody desired my work to put in their most intimate spaces, their home. Nobody forgets their first affirmation of their art by the outside world.
Betty Sitbon – Of the most influential artists in my life, Betty would be at the top of the list. If there was a number one cheerleader of my work, it has been Betty. Over the past year I have had the privilege to work in her studio in what we called art nights. Our styles are so different and we often would work together at separate tables. Creating art is mostly solitary work and you function alone, yet working together there was a solidarity to our commitment to our work. There would be stretches in which we be engrossed in our work and say nothing to each other. Other times we would consult on each other’s work and share ideas. She has allowed me to study her techniques, her brush strokes and her use of bright colors up close. Betty is a serious amazing artist, but more importantly she finds pure joy in her work and in that respect she has been an important role model. She has been an incredible mentor and close friend.
Sue Lince and John Hopkins – John and Sue own two galleries in Washburn Wisconsin. They have been also have been a serious fan of my work and display my work prominently in their Galleries. As professional gallery owners I have a deep respect for their insight and dedication to my work and the work of others. They have share so much of themselves I can’t say enough. They have provided me with an important first step in my professional career of which I deep appreciate.
I can’t thank these people enough.
Creating for me requires a tremendous amount of thought. I occasionally journal these thoughts and have decided to create a blog post once a month to share some thoughts and how this journey has progressed. I want to thank all of you who have visited and look forward to sharing future art pieces and thoughts.
Sincerely,
Mati
Metsa Studio 
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