Matt Talbert is a contemporary figurative artist based in Tustin, California, best known for his highly expressive and boldly powerful oil paintings of the human figure. Talbert’s multifaceted art education began in highschool attending the Orange County School of the Arts and taking summer classes at the Art Center in Pasadena. He fell in love with painting the figure while earning a BFA from the Laguna College of Art and Design. However, he attributes the time he lived in Manhattan and worked in New York City’s famous Pearl Paint art supply store on Canal Street as pivotal for the development of his artistic path. This experience not only encouraged a necessary sense of independence, but also allowed him to connect with fellow artists who inspired him to become more confident, trust his intuition, and embrace creative spontaneity.