ARTIST’S STATEMENT

"You may be curious why anyone in his right mind would focus his modest resources, energy and attention to the subject of the painter's palette, an art icon so kitschy, so corny and so insipid, it defies description. Think about it. The composer can invent great music with pencil and paper. The writer can create masterpieces of literature; poetry and original stage/screen plays with pen and parchment. The dancer uses her/his body. On the other hand, the poor painter, Nature bless his/her remarkable soul, is encumbered with paint, brushes, an easel, a maul stick, a paint box, palette knifes, canvas, a bottle of tequila, a cigar and a palette. Society treats some of these necessary tools with derision and contempt. The palette and the miraculous brain are two things painters share in common."

"I work with palettes because I like their shapes."

PROFILE

"Bob Matheny has been in the shadows of the San Diego Art Community since 1958 when he blew into town with his wife driving their 1954 VW. A U-Haul truck carried a printing press and a device to hook rugs. After brief associations with the Allied Craftsmen (and women) and the Patrons of the Private Press, he entered the bewildering world of painting and sculpture, and had a brief relationship with the old San Diego Art Guild. Then (1961) until 1991 he was an independent cuss playing around in the art gallery and trying to teach the elements of art and design principles at Southwestern Community College. Now he is playing around with palettes. If you are really interested and curious about Bob's art education and his modest exhibition record, take a walk to his website at: http://www.almostmaybe.com and hook-up with the resume link."