Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Teter.
Hi Matthew, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I am an artist and art teacher. I specialize mainly in painting, ceramics, and woodwork but being a teacher I am sort of a “Jack of all trades.” My painting style varies but I focus on the landscape trying to imbue my work with metaphor and mystery. My ceramic work is concentrated on the technique of hand building meaning that it is not thrown on a wheel. Much of the recent work carries with it the human touch, it is meant to visualize handmade characteristics rather than machine, mass-produced plainness.
Each work is individual and takes time and thought. The woodwork has the same ethic. Hours go into an individual carving along with meditation and the uniqueness of design. The wood is found on hikes and strolls into the wild forest, a place to find refuge and insight in a world of noise and so much meaninglessness.
I hope people who take in my art see and appreciate the ideas of handmade work. That they sense something important that is not just about acquiring or making money. I hope that they see the transcendent things that I certainly see in this life. Perhaps my work can help people go further than the mass-produced artificial nature of so much of modern culture.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life in general is a struggle. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Much good comes from this struggle, mainly the growth of the part of you that last. What is success? This is a relative question. Are money and accolades the only way to measure success? I don’t think so. Much of my success with art comes from the interactions I have with my students as a high school art teacher.
I use art every day in this respect; this is where my success seems to reside at the moment. I would certainly like to be more and more successful in the business side of the art project but I am satisfied with what I have been given. Success for me also means a patron is connecting with my art; a kinship of sorts is developed from a mutual understanding.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Well, the type of artwork I enjoy creating has to do with the mystery I see in life. Things are not figured out like we are always told. We live in someone else’s game; so to speak. We are part of the grand narrative. I am a creator but I am not the Creator. I must realize this to find real and lasting peace.
As an artist and poet, this is my path, my journey. It seems heavy and uninteresting to many caught up in the world of noise. I use art as a tool to see and to learn to be quiet. I hope to share that with collectors and people who have an interest in what I make. Hopefully, this reverence comes across in my artwork.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
I would say faith, my family (I have a wonderful wife and two beautiful daughters) my dear students with whom I share much of my day as a teacher, friends and the people I interact with, and finally creating things.
I love to make things and share these with others. I also love to learn new things. I am the ever student of history. One of the classes I teach is the Advanced Placement Art History course. I never tire of going deeper and deeper into ideas, philosophy, and religious thinking.
Pricing:
- Paintings small-$50-250; larger-$500 and up
- Ceramics: $30-100
- Woodwork:$50-150 per piece
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @mteter_art
- Other: Imagetake.Etsy.com
