Biography

My name is Matthew Buchan. I am an artist living and working in Grampound, Cornwall. Fangorn Studio is an old summerhouse nestled amongst trees and vegetable patches in the grounds of the home I share with my muse and two other lovely people, a neurotic cat and twelve chickens.

My paintings are mostly semi-abstract seascapes and abstract pieces in acrylics. The work I create is primarily based on feelings and emotions drawn from my own visual experiences of the Cornish coastline. I tend to focus on using colours that evoke sunrises and sunsets, and the various effects the light can have on its surroundings. My intent with each of my paintings is to try to capture some of the emotion of how it feels to watch the sun rise from the shore of a beach, or to see the light glitter on the breaking waves as the day slips below the horizon.

Having grown up in Cornwall, I feel privileged to be familiar with the abundance of naturally striking views on offer. I enjoy surfing and spending time on the beach and coastline, so naturally I enjoy painting something that reminds me of many happy times.

Like many other artists in this area, I draw much of my inspiration from the natural beauty prevalent around the coasts and shores of the county. Rather than recreating these images precisely, I prefer to transpose onto canvas the impressions that the experience of viewing these scenes imprint on my imagination and creativity.

My work has been exhibited in a wide variety of locations and accepted for display in galleries, restaurants, business and homes both locally around Cornwall and across the country. I am always happy to discuss ideas for both corporate and private commissions.

I hope that you enjoy my paintings and you experience some of the same joy in viewing them as I do in creating them.