Matt Kavanagh
I live in Tavistock with my wife Nichola. We are originally from Nottinghamshire but like many people, we have decided to move to the South West in order to pursue a life that is surrounded by natural beauty, creativity and happiness.
Art has been a lifelong passion for me and I suppose because it comes from the heart I have been reluctant until now to showcase my work. I acquired the use of ballpoint pens (standard bic) whilst at school, I used to drift off and doodle in my exercise books. When I left school I experimented with watercolour, oil and gouache paint as well as charcoal and pastel but I always reverted back to biro pens.
When I left school I decided to pursue a career within the NHS and put my artwork to one side for a few years but I was always drawn back to being creative, so I don’t have any training or any career history.
I have never been in an art group, never exhibited and never showcased any of my work until now!
My favourite and most inspirational place is Dartmoor National Park which in my eyes is one of the most beautiful places in the world, brimming with awe inspiring views which as an artist leaves me desperate to add pen to paper.
I sketch a lot and take a multitude of photographs before getting to work on my final piece. The majority of my work is inspired by the wonder of nature, life and experience, not just from me but other people.
I am an avid reader of books, especially true life novels such as Edith Eger - The Choice and The Gift. .
I also love films, the latest films that I watched were ‘A star is born’, the Judy Garland and Lady Gaga version, which then led me to watch ‘Judy’… Very sad but also very powerful.
My heroes that I would love to see again are my grandad Joseph and Nichola’s grandad Maurice who have sadly passed away. They were extremely clever, wise, kind and warm hearted. Exactly the morals and ethics that I apply in my day to day life.
Finally, my latest piece of ballpoint pen art is called ‘Connected’. It is an alternative, unique collection of thoughts and questions.
