Matt Anderson Artwork | Art

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I'm a british artist living in Shanghai China. Here you can browse my work, buy or contact me.

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In November these three pieces will be sold at the Art for Heart art sale in Shanghai. All are unique paintings in vintage watches from the 1970s and 1980s. Every 30k RMB raised helps to find a heart operation for a child whose family can’t afford those sums.

You can read more about the watches at www.mattanderson.online

#chineseartwork #vintage #miniaturepainting #shanghaiwatches #miniature #shanghailife #shanghai #art #watches #oilpainting #dialart #heartforheart #heartforhearts #art #for #heart #artforheart #artforhearts

In November these three pieces will be sold at the Art for Heart art sale in Shanghai. All are unique paintings in vintage watches from the 1970s and 1980s. Every 30k RMB raised helps to find a heart operation for a child whose family can’t afford those sums.

You can read more about the watches at www.mattanderson.online

#chineseartwork #vintage #miniaturepainting #shanghaiwatches #miniature #shanghailife #shanghai #art #watches #oilpainting #dialart #heartforheart #heartforhearts #art #for #heart #artforheart #artforhearts

“Poseidon” oil on watch dial, the watch is a vintage Omega Seamaster. Omega is a Greek letter, so for this Seamaster I wanted to represent the master of the seas in Greek. I went with a comic classic aesthetic because the word “seamaster” sounds like a comic book character to me.

#miniaturepainting #miniatureart #art #watches #upcycling #oilpainting #dialart #vintage #omegawatches #omegawatch #greekmythology #poseidon #vintage #omega #vintageomega #vintageomegaseamaster #vintageomegawatch

“Poseidon” oil on watch dial, the watch is a vintage Omega Seamaster. Omega is a Greek letter, so for this Seamaster I wanted to represent the master of the seas in Greek. I went with a comic classic aesthetic because the word “seamaster” sounds like a comic book character to me.

#miniaturepainting #miniatureart #art #watches #upcycling #oilpainting #dialart #vintage #omegawatches #omegawatch #greekmythology #poseidon #vintage #omega #vintageomega #vintageomegaseamaster #vintageomegawatch

“Squid009” oil on watch dial, 27mm x 27mm. This dive watch is a Seiko SKX009. This is the code given to the Pepsi (blue and white) dive watch of Seiko's fan favorite dive watches from the late 1990s.
I went with a japanese style octopus for the design, firstly becuase it allows some flexibility (octopuses physiology allows you to bend it where you need) and a muted pallette that loosely matches the blue and red themes of the bezel.
This watch is actually on the original jubilee-style bracelet.

See my work at www.mattanderson.online

#miniaturepainting #miniatureart #miniature #Seiko #vintageseiko #Japanese #japanesestyle #vintageseikowatch #watches #upcyclingdesign #upcycling #oilpainting #dialart #seikowatch #seiko #vintage #octopus

“Squid009” oil on watch dial, 27mm x 27mm. This dive watch is a Seiko SKX009. This is the code given to the Pepsi (blue and white) dive watch of Seiko's fan favorite dive watches from the late 1990s.
I went with a japanese style octopus for the design, firstly becuase it allows some flexibility (octopuses physiology allows you to bend it where you need) and a muted pallette that loosely matches the blue and red themes of the bezel.
This watch is actually on the original jubilee-style bracelet.

See my work at www.mattanderson.online

#miniaturepainting #miniatureart #miniature #Seiko #vintageseiko #Japanese #japanesestyle #vintageseikowatch #watches #upcyclingdesign #upcycling #oilpainting #dialart #seikowatch #seiko #vintage #octopus

“ChangBai Mountain Pine” 34mm x 34mm oil on watch dial. This is a modern Sea-Gull watch I wanted to experiment on a little. Sea-gull today are probably most famous for producing great quality cheap movements that a lot of micro brands are using under the hood. They do make good watches now too, and I picked a simple dress watch with a small seconds hand and exhibition case back to try a traditional Chinese style painting of a pine tree using simple and delicate colors; grey greens, brown and gold.

See my work at www.MattAnderson.online
#seagullwatch #miniatureart #miniature #art #watches #upcycling #oilpainting #dialart #vintage #Chinese #art #chineseartwork #chineseart #flora #floraldesign

“ChangBai Mountain Pine” 34mm x 34mm oil on watch dial. This is a modern Sea-Gull watch I wanted to experiment on a little. Sea-gull today are probably most famous for producing great quality cheap movements that a lot of micro brands are using under the hood. They do make good watches now too, and I picked a simple dress watch with a small seconds hand and exhibition case back to try a traditional Chinese style painting of a pine tree using simple and delicate colors; grey greens, brown and gold.

See my work at www.MattAnderson.online
#seagullwatch #miniatureart #miniature #art #watches #upcycling #oilpainting #dialart #vintage #Chinese #art #chineseartwork #chineseart #flora #floraldesign

“Red and Black koi 2”. Oil on watch dial, 27mm c 27mm
The patina on this 1973 Seiko 7005-7100 dial had this kind of black brown mottle effect that resembled rocks at three bottom of a pool. This made fish a natural choice for the motif, in the Japanese aesthetic and I went with black and red as I was working on the one I just posted at the same time. This one still has the original Stelux bracelet which is is pretty rare to see from a 50+ year old watch and which fits the blend of sporty and dressy that makes these so wearable.
See more of my stuff at www.mattanderson.online
#oilpainting #dialart #seikowatch #seiko #vintage #upcycling #upcyclingdesign #watches #vintage #Seiko #vintageseiko #vintageseiko #vintageseikowatch #Japanese #japanesestyle #art

“Red and Black koi 2”. Oil on watch dial, 27mm c 27mm
The patina on this 1973 Seiko 7005-7100 dial had this kind of black brown mottle effect that resembled rocks at three bottom of a pool. This made fish a natural choice for the motif, in the Japanese aesthetic and I went with black and red as I was working on the one I just posted at the same time. This one still has the original Stelux bracelet which is is pretty rare to see from a 50+ year old watch and which fits the blend of sporty and dressy that makes these so wearable.
See more of my stuff at www.mattanderson.online
#oilpainting #dialart #seikowatch #seiko #vintage #upcycling #upcyclingdesign #watches #vintage #Seiko #vintageseiko #vintageseiko #vintageseikowatch #Japanese #japanesestyle #art

“Red & Black koi 1”, oil on watch dial, 27mm x 27mm, this Seiko 7625-8293 from 1968 needed a few parts replacing and someone at some point had given it a striking red seconds hand. I thought about replacing it with something more understated but then decided that is part of this little watch’s history so I doubled down on it with a red and black fish theme. #vintageseiko #vintagewatch #oilpainting #art #japaneseart #koifish #dialart #fish

“Red & Black koi 1”, oil on watch dial, 27mm x 27mm, this Seiko 7625-8293 from 1968 needed a few parts replacing and someone at some point had given it a striking red seconds hand. I thought about replacing it with something more understated but then decided that is part of this little watch’s history so I doubled down on it with a red and black fish theme. #vintageseiko #vintagewatch #oilpainting #art #japaneseart #koifish #dialart #fish

“Golden cranes” oil on watch dial, 27mm x 27mm.
This is another sunburnt dial, on a 1980 Seiko 7009 8028. It had taken on this bursting up golden hue with a dark area at the bottom. I spent a lot of time considering this one and for a long time I planned to have a kind of “heaven vs hell” scene but couldn’t get the composition right so decided to choose something that could use the golden sunburst background and that has both Chinese and Japanese influences. The beauty of the cranes is that they are extremely simple but easily recognisable. The reeds give a fourth color to the composition which helped to add some depth between the birds and the dial. #vintageseiko #seiko #vintagewatch #handpainted #japaneseart #chineseart #cranesinthesky #oilpaintings #art

“Golden cranes” oil on watch dial, 27mm x 27mm.
This is another sunburnt dial, on a 1980 Seiko 7009 8028. It had taken on this bursting up golden hue with a dark area at the bottom. I spent a lot of time considering this one and for a long time I planned to have a kind of “heaven vs hell” scene but couldn’t get the composition right so decided to choose something that could use the golden sunburst background and that has both Chinese and Japanese influences. The beauty of the cranes is that they are extremely simple but easily recognisable. The reeds give a fourth color to the composition which helped to add some depth between the birds and the dial. #vintageseiko #seiko #vintagewatch #handpainted #japaneseart #chineseart #cranesinthesky #oilpaintings #art

“Orange Hummingbird” oil on watch dial, 25mm x 25mm. This is a Seiko Quartz VFA; back in the 1970s these were at the absolute height of technology and luxurious refinement. The VFA stands for Very Fine Adjusted, and basically meant these were highly accurate (+/- 5s per month) and were typically significantly more expensive than the “redundant “ mechanical watches at the time (and more than a car in some cases) Quartz was the superior technology at the time and Japan led the way with that technology. Nowadays these are nowhere near as expensive but they are increasingly rare to find. This one had a beautiful gold mottled dial that seemed to have become almost coppery in some areas, with Roman numerals printed onto the dial. The main damage to the dial was in some really awkward areas; close to those very delicate Roman numerals and behind the date window. I had to think of something that would cover those areas without having to paint over too much of that lovely existing dial, but at the same time substantial enough to look like a painted watch. I toyed with butterflies but the space was too small so had the idea of a hummingbird approaching some flowers, which would let me space out the design. Muted but oranges and reds with some tiny flecks of tropical colors keep it subtle and colorful. It’s paired with a get salmon skin strap for some natural bling!
#vintageseiko #seiko #oilpainting #vintagewatch #vintagewatches #birdsofparadise #hummingbird #dialart #upcycle

“Orange Hummingbird” oil on watch dial, 25mm x 25mm. This is a Seiko Quartz VFA; back in the 1970s these were at the absolute height of technology and luxurious refinement. The VFA stands for Very Fine Adjusted, and basically meant these were highly accurate (+/- 5s per month) and were typically significantly more expensive than the “redundant “ mechanical watches at the time (and more than a car in some cases) Quartz was the superior technology at the time and Japan led the way with that technology. Nowadays these are nowhere near as expensive but they are increasingly rare to find. This one had a beautiful gold mottled dial that seemed to have become almost coppery in some areas, with Roman numerals printed onto the dial. The main damage to the dial was in some really awkward areas; close to those very delicate Roman numerals and behind the date window. I had to think of something that would cover those areas without having to paint over too much of that lovely existing dial, but at the same time substantial enough to look like a painted watch. I toyed with butterflies but the space was too small so had the idea of a hummingbird approaching some flowers, which would let me space out the design. Muted but oranges and reds with some tiny flecks of tropical colors keep it subtle and colorful. It’s paired with a get salmon skin strap for some natural bling!
#vintageseiko #seiko #oilpainting #vintagewatch #vintagewatches #birdsofparadise #hummingbird #dialart #upcycle

“God Save The King” oil on watch dial, 27mm x 27mm. I found this dial that reminded me of war. Like a bullet ridden wall, or a battle in the air. I have no idea how a watch dial had this kind of damage. I sourced a watch to house it and since there was no way of doing a coverup given the extent of the damage, I had the idea of painting poppy flowers, which in Britain we use to commemorate those lost in war. The name “God save the King” links back to the typical mantra of British soldiers during the First World War; and a hint at the idea of bringing a critically injured 1974 king Seiko back to life. #vintage #vintageseiko #kingseiko #dialart #vintagekingseiko #seiko #seikowatch #upcycling #art #oilpainting

“God Save The King” oil on watch dial, 27mm x 27mm. I found this dial that reminded me of war. Like a bullet ridden wall, or a battle in the air. I have no idea how a watch dial had this kind of damage. I sourced a watch to house it and since there was no way of doing a coverup given the extent of the damage, I had the idea of painting poppy flowers, which in Britain we use to commemorate those lost in war. The name “God save the King” links back to the typical mantra of British soldiers during the First World War; and a hint at the idea of bringing a critically injured 1974 king Seiko back to life. #vintage #vintageseiko #kingseiko #dialart #vintagekingseiko #seiko #seikowatch #upcycling #art #oilpainting

This Seiko SBX007 is a bit of an icon; cheap and highly capable diver, they’ve now been discontinued and prices are rising. It’s a strange watch in that it’s purely automatic (you can wind it by swinging your arms around). It has a matte black dial that works really well with simple floral designs. I chose a Hawaiian Japanese blend of flowers her and kept it to 3-4 colors #vintageseiko #seiko #diver #dialart #japaneseart #hawaiianart #surf #surfer #sbx007 #paintedwatch #oilpainting #flowers

This Seiko SBX007 is a bit of an icon; cheap and highly capable diver, they’ve now been discontinued and prices are rising. It’s a strange watch in that it’s purely automatic (you can wind it by swinging your arms around). It has a matte black dial that works really well with simple floral designs. I chose a Hawaiian Japanese blend of flowers her and kept it to 3-4 colors #vintageseiko #seiko #diver #dialart #japaneseart #hawaiianart #surf #surfer #sbx007 #paintedwatch #oilpainting #flowers

“Sakura with bird” 27mm x 27mm oil on watch dial. This 1979 King Seiko had a heavily stained and broken dial across a few inconvenient areas. A large yellow stain in the middle, and foxing around the top right edge, bottom and far left. The design covers these separate areas. Sakura is the famous annual period where the pink chery blossom flowers transform Japan. King Seiko are one of the best watches from one of the best periods of Seiko (1970s), and this has a gold medallion in very good condition (hard to find). #vintageseiko #seiko #sakura #oilpainting #art #vintagewatch #kingseiko

“Sakura with bird” 27mm x 27mm oil on watch dial. This 1979 King Seiko had a heavily stained and broken dial across a few inconvenient areas. A large yellow stain in the middle, and foxing around the top right edge, bottom and far left. The design covers these separate areas. Sakura is the famous annual period where the pink chery blossom flowers transform Japan. King Seiko are one of the best watches from one of the best periods of Seiko (1970s), and this has a gold medallion in very good condition (hard to find). #vintageseiko #seiko #sakura #oilpainting #art #vintagewatch #kingseiko

Bought this watch to paint, what design should I do? Will decide on Friday, DM me with your suggestions! #vintagewatch #dialart #vintageseiko #watch

Bought this watch to paint, what design should I do? Will decide on Friday, DM me with your suggestions! #vintagewatch #dialart #vintageseiko #watch

Delivered a talk yesterday as one of 10 外国人 creatives and artists at the Proverse gallery in Shanghai’s fantastic art hub, M50. I introduced my background and key themes of both my oil paintings and painted watch dials.There was a good buzz around the watches in particular. Definitely feels like a good time to get back into exhibiting! #art #shanghai #m50shanghai

Delivered a talk yesterday as one of 10 外国人 creatives and artists at the Proverse gallery in Shanghai’s fantastic art hub, M50. I introduced my background and key themes of both my oil paintings and painted watch dials.There was a good buzz around the watches in particular. Definitely feels like a good time to get back into exhibiting! #art #shanghai #m50shanghai

“Giant Squid”, oil on watch dial, 27mm x 27mm. I love Seikos and Citizens from the 1970s as they produced some of the most colorful and creative designs during that era. Advan was a line that Seiko did that specialist in really funky dials, case shapes, markers and cut crystals. There’s a massive array of styles. I picked up this one last year, before I painted dials, as I thought the case shape was incredible, like a vipers head and I thought I’d be able to find the matching bracelet (impossible). When i bought it I couldn’t see the damage on the dial, so it sat in my tool box for a while. As soon as i started painting dials I thought this would be a perfect candidate but the location of the problems in the top right and the different colors (green, white, blue) made it a real challenge to design for; then added to that the distinctive case. I then had the idea of an vintage diver fighting a squid, 🦑 but couldn’t think how to integrate with the case until I realised I could get the case plated in copper to reflect the diver’s helmet and paired it with this green bund strap to complete the Jules Verne vibe #art #diver #diverwatch #julesverne #vintageseiko #advan #oilpainting #art #upcycle #steampunk

“Giant Squid”, oil on watch dial, 27mm x 27mm. I love Seikos and Citizens from the 1970s as they produced some of the most colorful and creative designs during that era. Advan was a line that Seiko did that specialist in really funky dials, case shapes, markers and cut crystals. There’s a massive array of styles. I picked up this one last year, before I painted dials, as I thought the case shape was incredible, like a vipers head and I thought I’d be able to find the matching bracelet (impossible). When i bought it I couldn’t see the damage on the dial, so it sat in my tool box for a while. As soon as i started painting dials I thought this would be a perfect candidate but the location of the problems in the top right and the different colors (green, white, blue) made it a real challenge to design for; then added to that the distinctive case. I then had the idea of an vintage diver fighting a squid, 🦑 but couldn’t think how to integrate with the case until I realised I could get the case plated in copper to reflect the diver’s helmet and paired it with this green bund strap to complete the Jules Verne vibe #art #diver #diverwatch #julesverne #vintageseiko #advan #oilpainting #art #upcycle #steampunk

lue Koi- Oil on watch dial 30mm x 30mm
The blue koi is done in a kind of tattoo style, monochromatic, chosen to link to Omega’s relationship with the sea. I estimate the war CG to be late 1960s/early 1970s but to be verified. The fish and water pattern was to cover up the swirl that had developed in the dial which was a little awkward to design for. I’m pleased how the water works with the very bulbous crystal and round shape to resemble a fishbowl.
#vintageomega #omega #upcycling #japanesetattoo #koi #koifish #vintagewatch #dialart #oilpainting

lue Koi- Oil on watch dial 30mm x 30mm
The blue koi is done in a kind of tattoo style, monochromatic, chosen to link to Omega’s relationship with the sea. I estimate the war CG to be late 1960s/early 1970s but to be verified. The fish and water pattern was to cover up the swirl that had developed in the dial which was a little awkward to design for. I’m pleased how the water works with the very bulbous crystal and round shape to resemble a fishbowl.
#vintageomega #omega #upcycling #japanesetattoo #koi #koifish #vintagewatch #dialart #oilpainting

Grey blossoms- oil on watch dial, 27mm x 27mm. I found a 1970 Seiko with the a fantastic grey sunburst dial that is in great condition for its age. I wanted to design something subtle and unisex that reflected the Japanese style. I was painting another also with birds and flowers (to be shared later) so went for a monochrome.
#vintage #oilpainting #seiko #vintageseikowatch #vintageseiko #dialart #japaneseart #art

Grey blossoms- oil on watch dial, 27mm x 27mm. I found a 1970 Seiko with the a fantastic grey sunburst dial that is in great condition for its age. I wanted to design something subtle and unisex that reflected the Japanese style. I was painting another also with birds and flowers (to be shared later) so went for a monochrome.
#vintage #oilpainting #seiko #vintageseikowatch #vintageseiko #dialart #japaneseart #art

White and gold koi. Oil on watch dial; 27mm x 27mm. This is a 1962 Citizen Ace dive watch. The dial normally is a beautiful opal black but this one had tarnished to create some spots in the centre, and some degradation around the edge of the dial. These to me resembled the stones you see at the bottom of a shallow pool and along with the dive-watch provenance it naturally lent itself to a Japanese style fish theme. Due to the delicate design and age I went with a simple monochrome design for the fish. Initially I was going to have the lotus flowers as white however it looked a little flat so I chose a light ochre colour to match in with the antique lume spots next to each hour marker. Swipe to see the photos in reverse #vintagewatch #vintagecitizenwatch #vintagecitizendiver #vintagejapan #art #artwatch #fishart #oilpainting #monochrome #koi #koifish

White and gold koi. Oil on watch dial; 27mm x 27mm. This is a 1962 Citizen Ace dive watch. The dial normally is a beautiful opal black but this one had tarnished to create some spots in the centre, and some degradation around the edge of the dial. These to me resembled the stones you see at the bottom of a shallow pool and along with the dive-watch provenance it naturally lent itself to a Japanese style fish theme. Due to the delicate design and age I went with a simple monochrome design for the fish. Initially I was going to have the lotus flowers as white however it looked a little flat so I chose a light ochre colour to match in with the antique lume spots next to each hour marker. Swipe to see the photos in reverse #vintagewatch #vintagecitizenwatch #vintagecitizendiver #vintagejapan #art #artwatch #fishart #oilpainting #monochrome #koi #koifish

Some more AI interpretation of idioms… there is one in here that I guarantee no one will guess (because it has no resemblance to anything, and that is the one with the boy sitting down in front of some kind of donkey/tapir. I included it because it made me laugh out loud. It was “Don’t put your foot in your mouth” - meaning, “Don’t say something you shouldn’t” #ai #english #englishlearning #surrealism

Some more AI interpretation of idioms… there is one in here that I guarantee no one will guess (because it has no resemblance to anything, and that is the one with the boy sitting down in front of some kind of donkey/tapir. I included it because it made me laugh out loud. It was “Don’t put your foot in your mouth” - meaning, “Don’t say something you shouldn’t” #ai #english #englishlearning #surrealism

Playing with an AI image generating app, I typed in a few English idioms/sayings to see how it interpreted them. See if you can guess the idiom from the picture…
#ai #english #idiom #language #languagelearning #surrealism

Playing with an AI image generating app, I typed in a few English idioms/sayings to see how it interpreted them. See if you can guess the idiom from the picture…
#ai #english #idiom #language #languagelearning #surrealism

Oil on watch dial, 27mm x 27mm. This is a late 1970s Shanghai watch. A Chinese watch so as the year of the Dragon is nearly upon us, I’m trying out some dragon designs (more to come shortly). #shanghai #shanghaiwatch #dragon #dragonart #vintagewatch #chinesewatch #art #oilpainting

Oil on watch dial, 27mm x 27mm. This is a late 1970s Shanghai watch. A Chinese watch so as the year of the Dragon is nearly upon us, I’m trying out some dragon designs (more to come shortly). #shanghai #shanghaiwatch #dragon #dragonart #vintagewatch #chinesewatch #art #oilpainting

“60 beats per minute” oil on vintage watch dial, 27mmx27mm. This one is specifically be donated to the “Heart to Heart” ❤️ charity later this year. They hold a charity art sale each year in Shanghai to raise money for operations to correct congenital heart defects for kids whose families have no other way to pay for such procedures. The watch is a vintage Shanghai watch, 7120. The Chinese watch industry has a really interesting past, and hopefully this one makes some good money to help a child now to have a long and healthy future (thanks to my friend @sammcmorran for the awesome photography!) #hearttoheart #watchart #oil #oilpainting #art #shanghai #shanghaiwatch #charity

“60 beats per minute” oil on vintage watch dial, 27mmx27mm. This one is specifically be donated to the “Heart to Heart” ❤️ charity later this year. They hold a charity art sale each year in Shanghai to raise money for operations to correct congenital heart defects for kids whose families have no other way to pay for such procedures. The watch is a vintage Shanghai watch, 7120. The Chinese watch industry has a really interesting past, and hopefully this one makes some good money to help a child now to have a long and healthy future (thanks to my friend @sammcmorran for the awesome photography!) #hearttoheart #watchart #oil #oilpainting #art #shanghai #shanghaiwatch #charity

Latest dial painting, oil on dial 27mm x 27mm. I liked the case shape of this May 1974 Seiko 6139-8030 chronograph that was being sold for parts. I had a friend clean up the innards and replaced a few parts. The problem was that the blue dial was pretty tarnished and there was some oxidation around the indices. I thought that the discolouration looked like shallow water in a pond so it was natural to fill that Japanese pond with Japanese koi fish. The orange and white works well with the blue. The challenge was fitting them naturally on the dial as with the white ring, the day/date window and the chronograph subdial occupied a lot of the dial. #art #dialartist #dial #seikowatch #seiko #vintageseiko #vintageseikowatch #vintageseikochronograph #fish #japanesekoi #oilpainting #watchart

Latest dial painting, oil on dial 27mm x 27mm. I liked the case shape of this May 1974 Seiko 6139-8030 chronograph that was being sold for parts. I had a friend clean up the innards and replaced a few parts. The problem was that the blue dial was pretty tarnished and there was some oxidation around the indices. I thought that the discolouration looked like shallow water in a pond so it was natural to fill that Japanese pond with Japanese koi fish. The orange and white works well with the blue. The challenge was fitting them naturally on the dial as with the white ring, the day/date window and the chronograph subdial occupied a lot of the dial. #art #dialartist #dial #seikowatch #seiko #vintageseiko #vintageseikowatch #vintageseikochronograph #fish #japanesekoi #oilpainting #watchart

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