About the Artist

Matthew Pinkus is an artist based in Mesa, Arizona. His passion for art began in childhood, evolving into a lifelong creative journey that includes painting, illustration, and music. Today, his work captures the bold textures and emotional landscapes of the Southwest.

From sprawling desert skies to expressive desert flora, Matthew’s oil paintings reflect a deep connection to the beauty and danger of the American Southwest. His signature use of textured brushstrokes and a rich, vibrant color palette gives each scene life, warmth, and movement.

Artist in the Studio

Matthew Pinkus showing his oil painting "The Crawling Pears" in his home studio.

Behind every painting is a story.

  • Matthew shows off his latest oil painting “The Crawling Pears” from his home studio in Mesa, AZ. This piece features expressive textured brushstrokes, a vivid color palette, and his signature prickly pears!

  • “I just wanted to let expression win over realism and rules for a change. I think it works on many levels, and I believe my viewers can get a glimpse of my inner personality in this piece, even more so than my other works.”

Past Exhibits

Matthew's oil painting “Dancing Dogs” on display at the Yavapai College Gallery in Precott, AZ. This painting (as well as “Espejismo”) was featured in the “Southwest Surrealism” exhibit last summer, and was juried by esteemed surrealist painter Amy Ernst.

  • Art is how I hold on to the people and places I love."

    Matthew Pinkus