Local artist searches for inspiration in Portugal

Friday 04 March 2022

A Guernsey artist has travelled to Portugal with a van full of blank canvasses after finishing a local charity project.

Tiffany Matthews painted 50 'mini cosmo' canvasses and auctioned them in aid of Little Black Dog Guernsey. She is now searching for inspiration for future work in Portugal.

“I realised that there was a lot of interest in my original cosmo works and I decided that I would paint mini cosmo pieces and give 100% of the proceeds to charity,” said Ms Matthews.

Pictured: Tiffany Matthews painted 50 mini cosmo pieces for auction in aid of The Little Black Dog charity.

“I was extremely lucky to sell all 50 of the cosmo originals within 12 hours and managed to raise £7,500 for the Little Black Dog rescue and adoption charity," said Ms Matthews.

“I am dog obsessed, so it was the perfect charity for me to support.”

Ms Matthews said that she decided to travel to Portugal to find inspiration for her work.

“I have always wanted to visit Portugal and I was definitely in need of some sun. So were my partner and dog,” she said. 

“I loaded up my van with canvasses and hope to get some fresh new inspiration.”

Pictured: Tiffany Matthews has travelled to Portugal with a van of blank canvasses hoping to find inspiration for her painting.

Ms Matthews said that art is important for mental wellbeing. 

“I think art is extremely important and mental wellbeing is the number one reason. Art is a form of meditation for me. It helps me to stay happy and positive.

“I think a lot more people should do art. It’s a time out from life and it’s the best form of therapy.”

Ms Matthews started painting in the first lockdown and did not expect to make a business out of her hobby. 

“I never, ever thought that I would sell a single piece,” she said. 

Pictured: The first painting Tiffany Matthews sold was a bee she painted in the first lockdown

“I painted a bee and posted it on Facebook and within five minutes someone had offered me £50 for it and I haven’t stopped painting since.”

Ms Matthews subsequently opened the Tiffany Anna Art Gallery in Fountain Street.

“I feel extremely lucky to be able to call this my full-time job because I never thought it could be. It’s a constant job and it is difficult,” she said. 

“You have to work 24/7. From your social media planning to actual painting to organising exhibitions - it never ends.

“My mind is constantly thinking about what I can paint next and where I can get more paint from.”

Pictured: Tiffany Matthews will be exhibiting her work in London in September.

Ms Matthews will be opening a pop-up shop in Chelsea from 11 until 28 September this year.

“Most of the paintings I do in Portugal will be for the London exhibit, but I might drop some back in Guernsey,” she said. 

“I have exciting plans for the pop-up. There will be a mixture of real life and virtual art and it will be an exhibition that’s never been done before. That’s all I can say for now.”