Hawaii-based artist Dennis Mathewson consistently draws inspiration from his
environment. It is difficult to imagine an artist who would not find motivation in the
presence of erupting volcanoes, stunning ocean waves, a rich array of tropical plants,
vibrant marine life, and islands steeped in Polynesian heritage and culture.
Hawaii-based artist Dennis Mathewson consistently draws inspiration from his
environment. It is difficult to imagine an artist who would not find motivation in the
presence of erupting volcanoes, stunning ocean waves, a rich array of tropical plants,
vibrant marine life, and islands steeped in Polynesian heritage and culture. While many
artists acquire their skills through formal education, others, like Dennis, possess an innate
artistic ability. Mathewson has been a professional artist since the age of fifteen, having
been born with a natural talent for creativity. He has immersed himself in the artistic world
for as long as he can remember, influenced by the custom hot rod and motorcycle
movements of the 1970s and 80s, which continue to inspire his current creations. His
artwork reflects his passion for the imagery that fills his mind and the vibrant life
surrounding him in his island home.
Mathewson's work features a realistic, fluid representation of the ocean, lush tropical
landscapes, and a variety of subjects, all showcased in his meticulously hand-carved
mixed media metal art, complemented by his distinctive color palettes. His innovative
original pieces begin with aluminum or other metal surfaces, which he carves using
specialized tools, allowing the images to emerge directly from the metal. This technique
creates a captivating three-dimensional effect that changes under different lighting
conditions, resulting in images that appear strikingly lifelike. His artistic journey is a
testament to the diversity and depth of experience he has accumulated in this
contemporary art form.
Mathewson, in addition to being a renowned figure in the fine arts, is a master refinisher
with decades of expertise in award-winning custom painting for motorcycles, automobiles,
and industrial applications. He has successfully owned and operated a diverse commercial
art studio in Honolulu for over 35 years, earning recognition as one of the leading
professionals in the custom automotive painting sector. Currently, Mathewson primarily
dedicates his efforts to his sought-after fine art paintings, which are showcased in various
art galleries.
Furthermore, he is a certified scuba diver, an accomplished photographer, and a freelance
writer for several trade publications. Mathewson is also a talented speaker, instructor, and
featured artist at prominent global events. His book, "Hawaii Made: The Art of Dennis
Mathewson," highlights his artistic journey and extensive body of work. Dennis
Mathewson's unique style is highly valued and sought after by enthusiastic fans,
celebrities, and dedicated art collectors around the world.
Like Norman Rockwell, Seuss personally created every rough sketch, preliminary drawing, final line drawing and finished work for each page of every project he illustrated. Despite the technical and budgetary limitations of color printing during the early and mid-twentieth century, Dr. Seuss the artist was meticulous about color selection. He created specially numbered color charts and elaborate color call-outs to precisely accomplish his vision for each book. Saturated reds and blues, for example, were carefully chosen for The Cat in the Hat to attract and maintain the visual attention of a six-year-old audience. By the time Seuss’s book career took off, sharp draftsman skills were evident in drawings. His ability to move a storyline ahead via illustrations filled with tension, movement and color became a hallmark component of his work, and the surreal images that unfolded over six decades became the catalyst for a humorous and inspired learning experience.
Artist Leo Rijn, the inaugural sculptor for the Dr. Seuss Tribute Collection I, was selected to launch this project due to his prized work with some of today’s top talent in the world of film, entertainment and the visual arts (including Tim Burton, Ang Lee and Steven Spielberg). Rijn has been identified as one of today’s brightest sculpting talents because of his ability to breathe life into the written word and successfully transform two-dimensional ideas into three-dimensional works of art. Universal Studios commissioned Leo to develop and oversee the creation of numerous maquette scale models for the Monumental Dr. Seuss Sculptures at Seuss Landing in Orlando, Florida. Leo was instrumental in the art direction for many of the sculpted characters and buildings now on display at this permanent Seuss attraction. His strikingly accurate Seuss works embody a masterful and intuitive Seussian sensibility, establishing him as a leading talent in interpretive sculpting.
Seuss embarked on an ingenious project in the early 1930s as he evolved from two-dimensional artworks to three-dimensional sculptures. What was most unusual for these mixed-media sculptures was the use of real animal parts including beaks, antlers and horns from deceased Forest Park Zoo animals where Seuss’s father was superintendent. Unorthodox Collection of Taxidermy was born in a cramped New York apartment and included a menagerie of inventive creatures with names like the “Two Horned Drouberhannis,” “Andulovian Grackler,” and “Semi-Normal Green-Lidded Fawn.” Shortly after Seuss created this unique collection of artworks, Look Magazine dubbed Seuss “The World’s Most Eminent Authority on Unheard-Of Animals.” To this day, Seuss’s Unorthodox Collection of Taxidermy remains as some of the finest examples of his inventive and multi-dimensional creativity.
Illustrator by day, surrealist by night, Seuss created a body of irrepressible work that redefines this American icon as an iconographic American artist. Yet, the Secret Art often shows a side of the artist that most readers, familiar with him through his classic children’s books, have never seen. This collection, created over a period of more than 60 years, encompasses the entirety of Seuss’s multi-dimensional talent. The artistic golden thread highlighted throughout this collection is apparent in each wildly imaginative and surreal Secret Art image. The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss is an inimitable collection of artworks created at night for his own personal enjoyment. These works were rarely, if ever, exhibited during his lifetime and provide a deeper glimpse into the art and life of this celebrated American Icon.
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