“Through my paintings I attempt to create an inherent language of emotion, truth, lies, and common experiences that will inevitably lead the viewer to personal reflection and a better understanding of self. I utilize this language as a means to elucidate my demons forcing me to come face to face with my own folly of self. The symbolic nature of the elements helps to weave a deeper understanding of cultural influences that are not only self-relevant but also viewer-relevant.”
My Story
An accomplished writer, artist and designer, Matt’s work has been shown in galleries throughout the world, and featured in numerous publications such as: Art Scene International, Dark Realms Magazine, Realms of Fantasy Magazine, Magical Blend Magazine, White Wolf Publishing, Heavy Metal Magazine, Mystique Magazine, and Wizard Magazine. In addition, several collaborative publications have showcased his work, including Spectrum, Masters of Fantasy, How to Draw and Paint Fairies, Anatomy for Fantasy Artists and Creative Minds. In 2004, Matt’s illustration, “Boudicca”, appeared on the cover of a greeting card set given to the Lord of the Rings cast and crew at an After Oscar Party, and in that same year, he was honored as a Gallery Winner in the Society of Illustrators, LA art competition. In 2007 Matt was honored with Best in Show Award at DragonCon Convention and took the role of Art Show Judge the following year.
Ingeniously blending the romantic aesthetic beauty of Art Nouveau with the dark concepts of Gothic art, painter Matt Hughes is best known for giving rise to Gothic Art Nouveau, a new art movement that’s redefining the relationship between viewer and subject, entwining both into an intimate rendezvous, sharing dark and ethereal realms immersed in religion and mythology, death and spirituality, human nature and inherent evil, ultimately leaving the viewer with a profundity of self-reflection and introspection.
Matt’s first book, “Metamorphosis – The Art of Matt Hughes”, published in 2005 by MG Publishing/SQP, sold over 23,000 copies internationally. He soon followed in 2008 by publishing his second collective works, “Ethereal Visions – The Art of Matt Hughes”. Both are available for purchase through the artist. Matt is currently working on the development of two more self published books – one a collection of his most recent work and a collection of his writing.
Matt currently resides in Atlanta, GA with his wife and muse.
Interviews
Oracle 20/20 May issue - Click Here to read full interview
Catapult Magazine issue 29 - Click Here to read full interview
Published Work & Exhibits
2015
Gothic Art Nouveau - The Art of Matt Hughes Book
48 page art book which included full color paintings, a bio, and a step-by-step instruction.
Published by SQP
Oracle 20/20 May issue
Cover
2014
Oracle 20/20 May issue
Featured Artist, Interview and Cover
Catapult Magazine issue 29
Featured Artist, Interview and examples of written work
Land of a Thousand Hills Solo Exhibit for January
Portraiture Work of Matt Hughes
2013
Tosca, Faust, and The Barber of Seville Atlanta Opera Posters
The Reflections of Queen Snow White by David C Meredith
Cover illustration "Ophelia"
Terrible Darkness Published by Atelier Third
5 works included
2012
“Sacrilege” Group Art Show
Congregation Gallery, Hollywood, CA
Art Nouveau MagazineMarch Spotlight
Catapult Magazine #8
Spotlight Artist
Catapult Magazine #13
First article written by Matt Hughes
2011
Damned Exhibition October
Things That Go Bump In The Night Gallery Show
Gallery Provocateur, Chicago
Frank Frazetta Tribute Show
Gallery Provocateur, Chicago
The ArtTrader Magazine Issue 13
Interview and spotlight
2010
Heliogabalus Cover Art
Uitgeverij Bert Bakker Publishing
POWERS cover art
Prime Publications
2009
Yareah Magazine Issue 13
Spotlight Artist
Yareah Magazine Issue 11
Spotlight Artists Interview page 26
International Art Magazine August Issue 86
Spotlight on “The Art of Dying”
Art Nouveau Magazine
Spotlight Artist
Interview with Dale KruegerDale’s Artist Links Excellence
DragonCon Art Show
Show Judge
2008
Erotic Fantasy ArtILEX Publishing.
“Becoming” pg. 75, “Zpheru’s Gate” pg. 100
DragonCon Art Show
Awarded “Best In Show”
2007
Tori Amos RAINN Calendar
Month of July
Griffin’s Daughter Cover Illustration
Avari Press, Cover art. Leslie Ann Moore author
2006
Golden Gryphon Publishing Wrap around cover illustration for the book “Harvest of Changelings”
Spectrum 13 The Best in Contemporary Fantasy Art - October
”Contemplation of Summer”
Z-Man Games, Inc.
5 card Illustrations for card game
Art Scene International Magazine
July tutorial Artist
Masters of Fantasy III CD - May Epilogue
2005
White Wolf Publications, Inc.
7 Black and White book illustrations for the Ordo Dracul book – November
How To Draw and Paint Fairies - October
Watson-Guptill Publications “Kindred”
Fantastyka Magazine #10 - October
Cover illustration and 2 interior illustrations
Black Gate Magazine #9 - October
Cover Illustration
Spectrum 12 The Best in Contemporary Fantasy Art - October
”Judge Not Thy Neighbor…”
Art Scene International Magazine
July Featured Artist
Dark Realms Magazine July
Featured Artist Monolith Graphics
Anatomy For Fantasy Artists Quarto Publishing
“Kindred”
Fantasy & Science Fiction Magazine June 2005
Cover Illustration
2004
Masters of Fantasy 2005 CD - October Epilogue
ArtWanted.com Featured artist – Compilation book “Creative Minds”
White Wolf Publications, Inc.
12 Black and White book illustrations for the Rites of the Dragon book.
Z-Man Games, Inc.
Card Illustration for the “Shadowfist” game
Alternative Games Inc.
Manual Illustration for the “Guardians of Har” game
Realms of Fantasy June
Cover illustration
Realms of Fantasy August
editorial illustration
Realms of Fantasy October
editorial illustration
Legen Beltza
CD Album cover December 2004
Tree Free Cards
8 images to appear on greeting cards worldwide
Wireless Developer
20 images to appear on wireless phone screens worldwide
Prints and the Pauper
8 images printed in both 8.5″ x 11″ and 11″ x 14″ Image Boudicca appears in greeting card set given to the cast and crew of Lord of the Rings at the After Oscar Party
2003
Spectrum 10 The Best in Contemporary Fantasy Art - October
”Kindred”, ”Arachne”
Magical Blend Magazine
Spring Issue Article “Everyday Magic”
Dreamweaver Studios
8 images printed as limited edition posters
2002
Metamorphosis - The Art of Matt Hughes Collection
Corporate Knights Magazine
Cover Illustration
