ABOUT
Steve Mataija is a Toronto-based contractor and artisan. His firm, Steve's Jobs, specializes in small to mid-scale renovations and redecorating projects. Steve is a specialist in carpentry, tiling and decorative paint finishes (murals, frescoes, venetian plasters and various paint effects).
Steve's work in the construction industry began when he was completing his post-secondary education in the 1990s. He worked with a general contractor for six years learning everything from laying brick and stone to tiling, flooring, painting, plumbing and installation projects (e.g., kitchens, bathrooms, basement renos). Steve found that he had a particular affinity for "up cycling" furniture and decorative paint finishes (including cabinet spraying). He continued to upgrade his skills, working for clients on a part-time basis but soon found he had a thriving full-time business. Villa Norse Artistry is the company through which he undertakes his decorative paint, art and furniture-related projects.
Wendy Mataija is a gallery represented, abstract, nature-focused, liquid artist. As a disabled artist, Wendy is particularly drawn to art as a form of therapy. Wendy describes her art as an invitation to contemplate our relationship with nature, and our selves.
Wendy typically works in acrylics, metallic pigments, mica powders and resins using non-traditional techniques that are themselves closely connected with nature - water, wind, fire and gravity - to create the unique and vibrant effects that typify her work. She is attracted to the aesthetics, methods and experimentation of liquid art. Wendy notes that she can carefully study and influence pigment behaviors, energy and movement, but spontaneous reactions in liquid art ultimately triumph! Fundamentally, this mirrors our relationship with nature.
Wendy finds her work with wood panels to be therapeutic. The connection between her artistic techniques and the natural panels (often created by Steve) feels primordial, earthy. She works flat, often working exclusively with palette knives and liquid techniques. At other times, she uses her breath to form a more visceral, primary connection with the substrate (wood, canvas or glass). Wendy's paintings always feature metallics to add richness and warmth, like the sun. She also uses resin to enhance the colors of her paintings, but also because it has a reflective quality representing the purity and cleansing of water, drawing the viewer further into her work. For Wendy, painting is an intimate, quiet, deeply intuitive process.
Wendy draws inspiration from her time spent in nature in reflection and contemplation. She is deeply moved by the healing, introspective and reflective nature of creating art. Taking a walk in nature or sitting near water nurtures her creative spark, and provides opportunities for calmness. Her goal in presenting her art is to help others to find a sense of calmness, but also, to consider our own place within nature.
The art featured on this website comprise unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. While it's impossible to recreate each piece, Steve welcomes and celebrates commissions for similar pieces using custom colors.
Through their "Art for a Good Cause" initiative, Steve and Wendy donate a portion of proceeds from sales of their work to registered Canadian charities that help people or rescued dogs.
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