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Father-and-son painters to exhibit for first time together at Art on the Rockies in Edwards

“Tree Bike” by son, Matthew Sievers.
Special to the Daily |

EWDARDS — Matthew Sievers developed an early passion for expression through art. He began studying at his father’s knee. As the son of accomplished artist Gregory Sievers, he was exposed to many different forms of art from a very young age. Matthew Sievers was able to learn from his father’s experience and passion for art. His father was able to provide him with creative suggestions and encouragement that inspired him to develop a style that is truly unique. As a young man, Matthew Sievers had a natural talent for drawing and loved sketching various figures and objects. Now as he has grown more as an artist, he has developed a passion for color, composition and expression. He has worked to master these principals through oils.

Matthew Sievers studied art at Brigham Young University-Idaho and Utah State University. His courses enabled him to experiment with various media and subjects. He also had the opportunity to study art of different cultures while traveling in many parts of Africa and Europe. Despite studying art formally, Matthew Sievers claims his greatest education has been from his father.

”The thing I am proudest of is how I encouraged him to and he did find his own direction. He has found his own way of saying things in paint,” said Gregory Sievers.



“I have always loved to paint with my father,” Matthew Sievers said. “Once while painting plein air (outdoors in the field) with my dad we had hiked a trail on the Idaho side of the Tetons. It was late fall and the trees had turned yellow and red. As we were finishing up our paintings, a huge gust of wind came up and shook the trees. Leaves rained down that stuck in our paints and on our canvas. It was as if all the leaves fell all at once,” Matthew Sievers remembers. “It was an amazing experience that I may never see again but I’ve been painting trees and sharing the magic of that moment ever since.”

“At [my father’s] knee, I learned to draw comic book scenes and as I grew, he taught me the basics from florals to figures. He has always been very supportive and encouraging as well as my toughest critic.”
Matthew Sievers
Artist

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About Gregory Sievers

Gregory Sievers has a Master of Fine Arts Degree from Utah State University in Logan, Utah. His Master’s thesis was a compilation of still life paintings depicting aspects of the early west. In 1996, Gregory Sievers was appointed by the Governor of Idaho to serve as a commissioner on the Idaho Commission on the Arts. In 1996 and 1997, Gregory Sievers served the commission on the Policy and Planning Board and as Chair of the Individual Artists Committee.

“My dad has a very diverse taste in art,” Matthew Sievers said. “He wanted me develop my own style, whether it paralleled his work or was a completely different direction. Growing up, outside my bedroom door were ink drawings of Charlie Chaplin and Picasso-esque contemporary paintings. At his knee, I learned to draw comic book scenes and as I grew, he taught me the basics from florals to figures. He has always been very supportive and encouraging as well as my toughest critic.”

A unique form of impressionism can be seen in Gregory Sievers’ style. Many of the early impressionist styles were far more detailed than most realize. Though Gregory Sievers’ paintings appear to be quite detailed, a closer look will reveal expressive brush work and charming impressionistic textures.

As an artist, Greg feels that his work can affect people on many levels. He enjoys painting a variety of subjects and themes, and is always finding new ways to express his ever-growing knowledge.

“It is a great privilege to show my art alongside my fathers for the first time in Colorado during the Art on the Rockies art festival this summer,” said Matthew. The Sievers will be side by side in the center of this year’s Art on the Rockies Festival, taking place July 11 to 13 at Colorado Mountain College in Edwards. This three-day, outdoor exhibition includes 115 artists with their new work. Visit http://www.vailartsfest.com for a behind the scenes look at the makings of a festival.


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