The Embrace I

Matthew Fitzke lives and works out of Eagan, MN, and holds a B.A. in Graphic Design from Morningside University in Sioux City, IA. A graphic designer by trade, he took up painting on a whim a few years ago and in a short time grew passionate about it.

As a self-taught painter with little fine-arts training, Matthew relies heavily on his natural artistic talents. Taking inspiration from artist Patrick Nagel, his work has sharp, hard edges and features highly stylized forms that are derived from observing how light reacts to the objects around us. Fitzke describes his technique as “painting shadows.” He begins by sketching the subject in a style that focuses on only the highlights, mid-tones, and shadows. The result is an abstracted, highly stylized representation that still retains its identity despite having been simplified and reduced down to basic levels of light.

Fitzke's work has appeared in multiple solo shows as well as group exhibitions in various venues in the Minneapolis Area including; Altered Esthetics Gallery, Moto-i, Level Salon, and The Loft @ Bar Fly.