Purple Shade

Matthew B. Pierce - (b. 1966) was born and raised in Washington State. In 1989 he received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Commercial Art from Walla Walla University in Walla Walla, Washington and worked nationally as a graphic designer and illustrator for the next 23 years. In 2015 Matthew completed his MFA in Painting and Drawing at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and quickly transitioned into a career as a professional artist and art professor at Walla Walla University. Since 2020 Matthew has become fully dedicated to his creative expression and spends his time painting and creating sculpture. Matthew's love for contemporary realism shows with his expressive and authentic approach to painting. His subject matter focuses on scenes and subjects that are common and sometimes nostalgic. His goal is to honor and bring dignity to that which is, so often, overlooked. Working predominantly in oil, Matthew sees each painting as an exploration of a subject through composition, color and value.