ADR’s support for artists
and what their talent creates, expands beyond the
music world, and we are
pleased to bring you the
first of our visual artists
series.Visual artists in
DFW have not only caught
our eye but is making a
big impression among a
growing community. We
took a look at one of Fort
Worth’s newest galleries,
and talked to the Artist
that is at the forefront of
a new wave of the visual
artist scene, Clif Mattix.
The Background [for Themattix] is I have been friends with the lawyers in that space for years. Once I painted the breaking
bad piece, they said why dont you put more art in here and make it a gallery. So we started renting the space and we had special
events and were open by appt. Then we finally started being open thur-sat 5-9 which we still are. We began with about 20 local
artists. All fort Worth area. Then we got up to about 30 artists and 100 pieces of art. we were overwhelmed with how much art
we had. So we had to make some calls and move some of the more expensive pieces out. We currently have about 80 pieces that
are very reasonably priced. And our artists are no longer all local. We now have one from Ohio and one from virginia. We keep
bringing in higher and higher quality art. Now we do exhibitions monthly where we will display many pieces by a single artist.
We have one coming up Friday. We have been getting a ton of support from Fort Worth South and have been trying to network.
Unfortunately its not moving very fast so I am looking for a job to help make up some of my lost income. But our hope is to
give classes, have live art demos more often, more exhibitions, and get more involved in the community with public art projects.
When did you start painting professionally?
I started selling my art in high school so I guess during school.
How would you describe your style and technique in your
artwork.
I use a lot of watercolor, splatter acrylic, airbrush, and spray
paint. I really enjoy working with stencils. I love cutting the
stencils and layering them to produce an interesting piece.
You mentioned getting involved in public art projects. Have
you done any recent projects?
We just put graffiti doors throughout Fort Worth South as a scavenger hunt. I also work with Leaderkids to teach them planning
and executing street art legally.
What is your opinion on urban art and graffiti?
I love it. It allows someone without a lot of money or big corporate backing to have a voice. I see people paint over graffiti
with mismatched colors and it looks horrible. The only way to
combat graffiti is with better graffiti.
62 | Acoustic Drive
Do you see a movement in the local art community?
I do. I hope to be a part of it. A lot of local artists are ready to
make changes and break away from the traditional.
What do you hope to see in the future for Fort Worth’s Art
Scene?
I hope the future is less pretentious attitudes and more appreciation for diverse art. There are so many forms of art and undiscovered artists out there that are just making beautiful creations
we all should be enjoying.
Aside from your community art projects, you are also involved with some charities, as well, correct?
I am involved with Hope Center for Autism. They do a lot of
sensory art which stimulates the sense of touch. I also teach art
to kids with learning dissabilties at Gateway School in Arlington. The kids are very creative. I am also involved with Dream
Outside the Box which helps kids in dream deserts realize that
there are things out there they can do with their lives other than
trying to be a famous athlete or rapper.