Matt Talbert

“I paint people, but I am more interested in conveying an emotional state rather than illustrating an outward appearance. I blur the line between our physical reality and the one that is going on in our heads.”

Matt Talbert is an acclaimed contemporary oil painter based in Tustin, California. A dual alumnus of the Orange County School of the Arts and the Laguna College of Art and Design, Matt's artistic journey was significantly shaped by his academic training. After graduating he spent his formative years in New York City, working in the basement of the iconic Pearl art store on Canal Street, immersing himself in a vibrant community of artists.

Initially gaining recognition for his vivid depictions of craft cocktail culture, Matt collaborated with top-tier bars and bartenders nationwide. His work has since evolved, focusing primarily on expressive human figure paintings showcased in prestigious galleries like Abend Gallery and Arcadia Contemporary.

Matt's talent has been recognized on an international scale; he was a finalist in the Beautiful Bizarre Art Prize and is currently competing in the Mod Portrait Competition in Barcelona, Spain. His techniques and artistic process were featured in a six-page spread in the 2023 edition of International Artist Magazine. In 2025, Matt expanded his reach by launching his first online painting course.

His work graces the pages of several notable publications including American Artist Magazine, PoetsArtists Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, OC Weekly, and Imbibe Magazine. Matt divides his time between creating for gallery exhibitions and fulfilling portrait commissions, with his large-scale portraits adorning the homes and offices of collectors around the globe.

“I paint people, but I am more interested in conveying an emotional state rather than illustrating an outward appearance. I blur the line between our physical reality and the one that is going on in our heads. Using oil paint I contrast the subtlety of skin tones with bold colors and thick textures in the background that enhance the emotions at play. I look for facial expressions that tell a universal truth about what it is to be human. Trusting my intuition, embracing spontaneity and doing so with confidence are the keys to my work.”