In college Matthew was shown many techniques that he admired from many professors. Most of his formal education however forced him into their style and eventually he was painting more like everyone else. It wasn`t until he left Utah State and started painting with his father again that he perfected his own style.
“Dad has always helped me develop my skills naturally,” says Matthew “I was never pushed into the art world and with so many starving artist friends of Dad`s around I may have in some degree been pushed away from the idea. He would often remind me that if I want to be rich I better not be an artist as we sat at the easel together. At the same time he would explain that there are many ways to define riches and how the life of an artiat is very fulfilling.”