Matthew Gardner - Portraits
About the Artist
Custom yacht portraits are Matthew's preferred subject at this time. However, Matthew will paint a portrait of any subject that someone would care to commission, within good taste. People portraits are always a welcome challenge, and a compelling pet portrait once in a while is a fun change of pace. Matthew welcomes any portrait commission.
Matthew Gardner received formal art training at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. He graduated in 1993 and holds a BFA in Illustration. After art school Matthew worked as a screen print artist for a S.F. Bay area firm, specializing in vehicle illustration and small business promotional artwork. Matthew illustrated dozens of licensed Nascar t-shirt designs between 1994 and 1999 bearing the images and cars of drivers such as Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt, Ricky Rudd, and many more. He was also renowned for his highly detailed and accurate illustrations of historic aircraft and locomotives, with thousands of printed items bearing his designs sold throughout the USA and Europe.
Matthew Gardner received formal art training at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. He graduated in 1993 and holds a BFA in Illustration. After art school Matthew worked as a screen print artist for a S.F. Bay area firm, specializing in vehicle illustration and small business promotional artwork. Matthew illustrated dozens of licensed Nascar t-shirt designs between 1994 and 1999 bearing the images and cars of drivers such as Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt, Ricky Rudd, and many more. He was also renowned for his highly detailed and accurate illustrations of historic aircraft and locomotives, with thousands of printed items bearing his designs sold throughout the USA and Europe.
Between 2000 and 2007 Matthew opened his own studio as Gardner Graphix producing small business logos and promotional graphics for small firms throughout the North and East Bay areas.
Currently berthed at the beautiful Benica Marina, Matthew has been a a live aboard sailor since April of 2006 and is enjoying his new life afloat in his Hunter 33' Trilogy. One benefit of living on a sailboat turned out to be the opportunity to crew as first mate on a friend's sailboat on Latitude 38's famous Baja Haha sailboat cruiser rally from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Baja, Mexico. Matthew and Randy Ramirez sailed Dulcinea, the smallest ever (so far) sailboat on the Lucky 13th Haha rally. They took first place in the Agave division (for plucky factor probably more so than for passage speed) by sailing the entire trip in Dulcinea, a Pacific Seacraft Flika 20' that arrived in each port of call nearly last.
That Mexico trip instilled in Matthew both the desire to live a cruising lifestyle, as well as the resolve to utilize his artistic talents to bankroll the venture for as long as possible. There aren't too many careers that one can take with them and practice from anywhere in the world, fortunately fine art happens to be one of them.
Welcome to Matthew's website. Check back often to see the artist's newest commissions displayed on the portfolio page.
Currently berthed at the beautiful Benica Marina, Matthew has been a a live aboard sailor since April of 2006 and is enjoying his new life afloat in his Hunter 33' Trilogy. One benefit of living on a sailboat turned out to be the opportunity to crew as first mate on a friend's sailboat on Latitude 38's famous Baja Haha sailboat cruiser rally from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Baja, Mexico. Matthew and Randy Ramirez sailed Dulcinea, the smallest ever (so far) sailboat on the Lucky 13th Haha rally. They took first place in the Agave division (for plucky factor probably more so than for passage speed) by sailing the entire trip in Dulcinea, a Pacific Seacraft Flika 20' that arrived in each port of call nearly last.
That Mexico trip instilled in Matthew both the desire to live a cruising lifestyle, as well as the resolve to utilize his artistic talents to bankroll the venture for as long as possible. There aren't too many careers that one can take with them and practice from anywhere in the world, fortunately fine art happens to be one of them.
Welcome to Matthew's website. Check back often to see the artist's newest commissions displayed on the portfolio page.