Matt Atkinson

Stories and Legends

2024

Matt Atkinson is a Colorado-based painter whose work is found in collections throughout North America and Europe. He has a degree in Studio Art from the University of Tennessee, and has exhibited in numerous juried shows, where he has earned honors which include purchase and gold medal awards. His traditional realist paintings portray the American West from days gone by to present, and in particular the stories of men and women who preserve its heritage. From old-timer saddle makers to master violin carvers to Indian elders and warriors (both living and historical), his work honors the preservation of culture, and the men and women who steadfastly carry on those traditions. In every painting, Matt uses brushes and paints that he inherited from his grandmother, a wise and compassionate elder. The brushes in the vase beside her easel still had paint on them, waiting for her to return to them, when she passed. Using them on every canvas connects his art with that heritage. Matt has also achieved acclaim in the behavioral sciences, writing award-winning books about the effects and treatments of trauma. He earned a second Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s, and has worked as a volunteer chaplain for Native American prison inmates, community health program director, and counselor before resuming art as his full-time vocation. Matt has worked closely with many Indian tribes as a program director and consultant. For years, he directed the Cultural Recovery/Youth program for a Native American community, forming relationships with traditional leaders and elders. Tribes across the United States have hosted Atkinson as trainer for cultural and anti-violence programs. He has also taught college courses for several years, and is regularly requested as a guest lecturer and conference presenter. Matt’s art has found its way into private and corporate collections and galleries across the United States, England, Finland, and Canada.