Wading the Dark Shores

Block Island is such an incredible place. It's like walking around a giant garden... that's placed atop mystical cliffs that overlook the ocean. How fortunate I am to be able to experience the surf fishing there with some of the best the sport has to offer. Surfcasters that swim out to boulders and submerged rocks throughout the night to fish distant drop offs and currents that hold big fish... only armed with dull red head lamps, a wet suit and balls of steel. As much as I'm humbled by their techniques, I'm intrigued and determined to push myself to their level. There's a degree of insanity when thinking about it logically... but put your thoughts into the mind of one of these anglers of the night, and you'll find courage, determination, strength, wisdom, spirituality... and that calm of accomplishment... finding your rock that keeps you stable within a place you have no control over. It is all about finding the one... that one giant that lurks the depths... outsmarting her old wisdom... and battling her last triumphant will for survival. To me... it's a very spiritual moment, one that I'd relate to the Buddhism term "Satori"... a brief moment of enlightenment... where all thoughts subside and you're connected not only to the big fish... but the "biggest fish." I don't believe most anglers view their pursuits as a spiritual journey... but in my opinion, it's a religion that actually serves it's purpose.

... I've been fortunate enough to befriend some great people on the island, including the innkeepers of ( The Island Home ) where I stayed. If you're ever looking for a vacation nearby, whether for fishing, romance, or some relaxation... I'd highly recommend looking into it.

Eureka

In the thick of it

... So it's been a pretty long couple days here... the snow has almost literally trapped me inside... I needed to paint something for myself. I've been experimenting with different techniques, styles, mediums... really trying to explore the possibilities and making sure no stone is left unturned, besides the nagging void within... that reminds me there is something more... something that proves so far to be unattainable. But I pursue, much like today, experimenting with different approaches to layering Oil paint... different colored underpaintings, different brush strokes... different density... just to see if some kind of Eureka experience would prevail. No such luck... but failed experiments eliminate a huge chunk of what was seemingly limitless possibilities before college, since then I've managed to play with nearly every medium and technique I can imagine. Perhaps not so ironic... I always come back to my comfortable Oil Painting technique. Learning the steps is one thing... but it's the subtleties that make it work so well, at least that's how I feel.

... I'll admit though... painting... always feels like I'm searching for something an arm's length away... but unfortunately, it stays an arm's length away. It's frustrating... it's motivating... spiritual... confusing... as my good friend say's: "it's like crawling through a swamp" ... or in my case, snow.

PRESS sure.

www.juxtapoz.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=6134

http://arrestedmotion.com/2009/05/preview-matt-dangler-searching-for-satori-gallery-1988-sf/

http://upperplayground.com/wordpress/?p=12298

http://www.formatmag.com/news/matt-dangler-searching-for-satori/

http://dailydujour.com/2009/05/24/preview-matt-dangler-searching-for-satori/

http://blog.monzuki.com/2009/05/welcome-to-world-of-matt-dangler.html

... better come see what all the hype is about. This Friday, May 29th @ Gallery 1988 San Francisco, 1173 Sutter St. (7-10pm)
- see you there