Matt Austin
ARTIST, MATT AUSTIN STUDIO
Brooklyn-based artist Matt Austin has built a career as a designer and decorative painter, outfitting the spaces–and most commonly the walls–of creatives all around the world. He also works with wood, creating handmade children’s toys and ornamental objects, and fashions one-of-a-kind fine art pieces and lighting fixtures. In short, he does it all. If you’re looking for a weekend itinerary that’s out of the ordinary, he’s your guy. Below, Austin shares his favorite haunts and what a Saturday in his world looks like.
9 a.m. Start the day with a good breakfast and a strong cup of coffee at Cafe Ghia, a great neighborhood spot in the heart of Bushwick. I tend to order the Lumberjack Stack: scrambled eggs and bacon between waffles.
10:30 a.m. Visit David&Schweitzer Contemporary in Brooklyn to view the works of Heather Morgan, a modern figurative painter who is largely influenced by German expressionism.
12 p.m. Dash off to Kremer Pigments Inc., a hidden gem in Manhattan for anyone who likes colorful paint. I shop here for glorious pigments for my mural projects, and I often buy a jar to give to clients as a gift to place on a shelf; lapis lazuli is my current favorite.
1 p.m. Get cozy at a table at La Bonbonniere, a diner with all the essential old-school Greenwich Village charm. Order the BLT; it’s one of the best in the city.
2 p.m. Walk the High Line and stroll to the Whitney Museum of American Art. On display now are 1980s paintings and the “Whitney Biennial,” a collection of works from 63 contemporary artists.
4 p.m. Go to the West Village and stop into Maison Margiela for something chic to wear. This French fashion house has the best and most interesting accessories and clothing, and it always keeps me looking ahead of the game.
5:30 p.m. Take a ride on the new Second Avenue Subway, and check out the giant Chuck Close mosaic murals at the station. His works are beautiful colorful portraits.
6 p.m. Exit the subway at Canal Street and pop over to Aux Epices for dinner. It’s low-key, handsome and delicious–perfect!
