The Benefits of Exhaustion {show details}

coming soon

The Benefits of Exhaustion
7x7 inch softcover
120 Full Color Pages
covering work from late 2004 until mid 2010

Digital Stuff & Updates on Upcoming Things.

Alright everybody, I know it has been quite a bit since I have thrown up an update about the things I got going on. So here are some things that I have been working on as far as digital design work goes.

I also have quite a few shows coming up soon. I got a group show in ATL & CA in early August, a solo show in CLE in early October, a possible 5-man in FL, a 2-man in CHI with Booker in Nov/December.

Stay tuned for more updates regarding a product release & possible gallery news.

"A Disturbance in the Force"

Here is the piece I did for the Star Wars tribute show at Hope Gallery Tattoo in New Haven, CT. The show opens tomorrow, if you live on the East Coast...hit this up, I hear their opening receptions are legendary. I actually think my piece may have sold already...not sure, fingers crossed.

7 part video interview.

Filmed & Edited by my man Dalibor. I say "like" and "ughhh" alot. Also, I realized I am a very animated talker. This came out pretty awesome considering all the technology failures.

Reaching towards an ending.

So, last week was one of those weeks where I got a ton of great artistic offers, opportunities and propositions to collaborate with some great people, artists and companies. Also, if you have been following along on the blog, I had my second curated exhibit this past Saturday at the always awesome Revolution Tattoo & Art Gallery. The turn-out was awesome and Some paintings sold....that is always a good thing.

This brings me to today. I finally realized just how fast I reached my glass ceiling at this day job. Realistically, 6 months after I started I realized that I have no way to move up, be artistically/creatively challenged or make any more money. I don't really know where this rant is going but, I do know that I need to make a move...and FAST.

Sitting behind a computer for 8 hours a day certainly has it's benefits however those benefits do not out-weigh the negatives. I am not sure what is going to happen in the next couple months but I really feel some sort of change coming, at least I hope so. I need to make a big step, something happen...for my well being and for the sake of things around me.

Fuck waking up miserable, fuck going to sleep miserable, fuck snot-mouthed broads, fuck not fucking, fuck not being romantic enough, fuck addicted parents, fuck giving up, fuck giving in, fuck trying hard at something that is gonna fail, fuck bosses that you have more knowledge than, fuck hypocrites and fuck people on their high horses.

I really hate turning this blog into a rant about personal shit but I had to today...enough is really enough.

Tomorrow NIght. 5-01-2010

Tomorrow night is the show at Revolution. Here is the info and some images.

YOU SLEEP TOO MUCH
Opening Reception:
Sat. May 1st, 2010, 8pm - 12am
Featuring works by:
Ron Copeland
Matthew Ryan Sharp
Parskid
Charlie Owens
Revolution Tattoo & Art Gallery
2221 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
www.revolutiontattoo.net

You Sleep Too Much - new show May 1st

"You Sleep Too Much"
4-man exhibition
Revolution Tattoo & Art Gallery
Saturday May 1st
8pm - 12pm

Ron Copeland
Matthew Ryan Sharp
Parskid
Charlie Owens

This Saturday.

OhNo!Doom Gallery
Chicago, IL
www.ohnodoom.com

Drowning.

Got a new Iphone skin dropping! Available over at the MUTT store or you can scoop them up at the ON!D show this Saturday, March 6th.

http://mutt.bigcartel.com/product/drowning-by-matthew-ryan-sharp

Stunned.

Not sure if I am really into this or I really hate it...I think this was a huge internet buzz a couple months ago. I remember seeing the kid with the growth disease a few years ago on the Maury Povich talk show. This dudes prison tattoos are incredible.

Doze Green...Love this dude.

OFF THE WALL :: Doze Green - Studio Visit from friendswelove.com on Vimeo.

2010 sketches...thus far.

I make it a point to draw everyday, even if it is the same old ugly dudes with oversized teeth and under-bites.

Utilize the tools around you. Paper, ink, pencil, tape, white-out, coffee, Post-it notes and Xerox machines can all be used to create work when not in the studio. Be resourceful in 2010...and original.

Message in a Bottle show.

The great folks over at Solid Gallery One Tattoo & Art Gallery asked me to be a part of their February show. "Message in a Bottle" is going to have artists either paint on bottles or incorporate that theme into their painting. I decided to do a painting for this show since my 3 dimensional work never really comes out.

Opens on February 12th. If you live around there...check it out in person, the roster of artists is really great.

You'll die, it doesn't change a thing.

Recently, my life feels like an American Nightmare track.

March Show in Chicago.

I got a little 7 man show coming up on March 6th. A good group of people are in this show and we are gonna be cranking out some really great art in order to start 2010 off right. I will be donating a portion of my proceeds from the show to PAWS Chicago in the form of needed items for their adoption animals.

I will be donating money from all of my shows in 2010 to specific animal organizations...trying to use my talent to help something I believe in.

New Things in Progress.

Just a couple hand built wood panels with a 4'' and 6" cradle on them. I made a bunch in the fall but the garage is so brutally cold right now, I have not made any more. My wifey goes out of town next weekend, I think I will brave the cold and make a couple 2 X 4 foot panels...working bigger and smaller this year...what the hell does that mean?

Tune in to find out.

New Year.

I would like to start the new year off by thanking all the galleries, magazines, artists and fans that made this past year really amazing. I got to do so many cool shows and was featured in so many great publications...it was truly a humbling and exhausting year.

This year will hopefully prove to be no different. I have 7 exhibitions officially booked, a fall book release and a collective that I joined with 2 other awesome dudes that will be releasing al sorts of incredible things throughout this year. I am also really stoked to have a healthy wife and pugs at home as well as embarking on part time teaching. Yep, starting January 18th I will be a adjunct instructor for Graphic Design for Print Production.

The first Major show for 2010 is going to be on March 6th at the newly re-located Oh No Doom Gallery in Chicago. "A Healthy Dosage of Restlessness" 7-man exhibition curated by Matthew Ryan Sharp & Project Detonate. Featuring work by: Charlie Owens, Parskid, Tyler "MUTT" Coey, Brian Colin, Toby Stanger, Project Detonate and Matthew Ryan Sharp.

More details to follow...no sleep in 2010.