About Us

Matt Zidar painter bio and CV

Art is my means to observe, feel beauty, exist in joy, and to create and interpret my world.  I seek to manifest the individual emotions of the observer, whatever they may be.  

Artist Statement

I came to painting later in life because my Dad would not fund art school, saying he did not want his grandchildren to go hungry.  It was good advice at the time but stifled and closeted the inner artist who then became a water scientist and planner.  My then well fed children were an inspiration and got me to draw and paint with them. Ultimately, the creator within could not be denied and had to see, feel and manifest the beauty and joy that surround us, while also believing art is observation, social statement and recording of history.  The only sin is to not use the skills the Creator has granted us in whatever form they exist within our being.  So do it.  Go out and play with reckless abandon and find that child that is in you and let them create, sing, dance, emote, float and fly.  Use them wings. Do that, and also support your local arts community!

Bio

Matt Zidar is a mostly self-taught artist that has taken advantage of numerous seminars and workshops to develop his skills.  He grew up in Ohio, lived as a ski bum and college student in Colorado, having graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Hydrology, and where he snuck into figure drawing sessions at the art school. Matt resides in Sacramento, having lived in San Francisco and Santa Cruz.  Mr. Zidar is a member of Sacramento Fine Arts (SFA), Northern California Arts (NCA), Blue Line Arts and an affiliate member at the I Street Studios and Gallery. He works primarily in oils but dabbles in water color.  His work has been accepted to several juried art shows, where it has gained recognition. 

  Lodi Sand Hill Crane Festival 2025 Art Exhibit. Award- First Place in Fine Arts Category. 

  Artistic Edge Gallery.  Animals Show.  January 2026.

  Artistic Edge Gallery.  Show October 15, 2025 to January 15, 2026.

  Sacramento Fine Arts.

·         Magnum Opus 2026.

·         Artist of the Month. Award- January 2026.

·         Animal House Show 2025

·         NCA Member Show 2021. Award- Honorable Mention (Boston Winter).

  I Street Studios and Gallery.  

·         Black and White and Red All Over.  February 2026.

·         Second Saturday Show. Jan 2026.  

·          Flowers, The Language of Love. February 2024.         

·         Second Saturday. March 2025.  

·         Second Saturday. January 2026.

  Blue Line.  

·         New Member Showcase, March 2025.

·         Member Medley 2025. 

  Archival Gallery

·         A Rose is A Rose Show, May 2026.

·         Solo show, July 2026.

  Elk Grove Art Festival, April 2026.