“My work is a Mash-Up of sensibilities. These paintings echo the period of transition between Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. The paintings’ varied and layered surfaces resonate with affinities to artists such as William De Kooning, Roy Lichtenstein, and Sigmar Polke. Featuring classic Western iconographic images of cowboys, cowgirls, guns and horses, my work depicts the violent narratives and sentimental mythologies of the American West—a landscape defined by melancholy sunsets, badlands, gunfights, outlaws and red-blooded heroes. References include Hollywood Westerns and the bold visual vocabulary of the comics and pulps of the 1940’s-50’s. BANG! BLAM!
My work also looks under the hood of the present day reality of the American West, with its concrete plains and Mini-Mart cowboys—places where the buffalo used to roam. These Pop-Westerns are like graffiti splattered box cars rolling across the plains. My paintings are a metaphor for a vanishing West.I currently work in New York City and have a home in Buffalo, Wyoming. I have hitch-hiked across most of the American West and even hopped a few freight trains. My work has a deep nostalgia for the the harsh landscapes of the West.” – Matt Straub
1xRUN Thru Interview
Ain’t No Time by Matt Straub
1xRun: Is the original still for sale?
Matt Straub: Original is still for sale. It was done in 2010 and is 52″ x 58″. Price $7,200 plus shipping.
1xRun: When was the piece drawn/created?
Matt Straub: June 2012
1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Matt Straub: This print was made from a very large painting by same name. See it here on my website. Often I find the painting are more powerful without text—thus the empty speech bubble. This is not traditional western art.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Matt Straub: This series has some hand embellishments on the top of the print. I have used some Krink and spray paint because these materials are cheap, fast and loud! In my distant past I had a graffiti and street art background.
Matt Straub
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Matt Straub: If you appreciate vintage art styles, Pulp novel covers, Golden Age Comics, the romanticizing of the West, POP art, or just like a tough painting of Hell Cats and outlaws my work is for you.
1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
Matt Straub: Mash-up
Run #00244 // Ain't No Time by Matt Straub
1xRun: When did you first start making art?
Matt Straub: I have been making art all my life.
1xRun: What artists inspire you?
Matt Straub: There have been so many artists that I have looked closely at—literally hundreds. But currently people like Sue Williams, Sigmar Polke, David Parks, Frank Auerbach and Joyce Pensato.
Sue Williams
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?
Matt Straub: Early Country western starting with Hank Wiliams and Lee Hazelwood. Newer country like the Deraillers, Rock-a-billy including Link Wray. Old and new psychedelic(13th Floor Elevators, A Band of Bees, M. Ward, All Night radio, the Notwist) and freak folk stuff(Bonnie Prince Billy, Devendra Banhart,) and then there is always Neil Young and Dinosaur Jr.
1xRun: What else do you have in the works?
Matt Straub: I have a show coming up at a great funky gallery: The Yard Dog in Austin, Texas on June 23rd.
1xRun: Where can people find you across the internette?
Matt Straub: Website
-1xRUN