Matt Coates, watercolour artist from Auckland

Matt Coates is self taught artist from Titirangi in Auckland who works in watercolour and acrylic.

Matt has always had a keen interesting in drawing, painting and art from an early age right through to high school. Matt’s journey into watercolours started about ten years ago, painting quirky illustrations just for fun which turned into more than just an interest. Years later Matt’s art has been transformed into clothing, murals and children’s books.

Although Matt predominantly works in watercolours, he recently has started working in Acrylics. 

’Switching to acrylic has been a real challenge. Using thick paint on a canvas and easel compared to watercolours on paper has been the biggest hurdle but it has been rewarding working in a different medium. I also found you learn skills from both mediums that can be used with the other. I’m not sure if I could just work in one medium anymore.”

Currently Matt is focussing his art on native fauna and flora themes. Matts draws a lot of inspiration from native bush and local beaches.