Step inside the vibrant, layered world of Matt Bilfield, where structure meets spontaneity and every piece tells a story in motion. From rhythmic gradients inspired by nature to intricate patterns that challenge perception, Matt Bilfield shares the moments and methods that bring their art to life. Get ready for an inspiring dive into creativity, geometry, and the stories hidden within each peg.
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Your work blends color and geometry in a way that feels alive. How do you decide the rhythm of each piece?
My creative process unfolds in distinct stages, each building upon the last to bring my work to life. I begin by designing the drill patterns and board shapes in batches—these can range from grids and concentric circles to more organic, curvilinear forms. The patterns vary in density and size, depending on the piece and the effect I’m aiming for. Once the boards are fabricated and ready, I move to the next stage, where I conceptualize the color palette and gradient. I often draw inspiration from nature—whether it's the colors of a sunrise, the shifting hues of a sunset, the vastness of space, or any other natural phenomenon that captures my imagination at the time. With a clear color vision in mind, I select the boards that best align with the desired effect, carefully planning how each piece will come together during assembly. For more representational works, like my cherry blossom or floral series, I start with a reference image, selecting a board with a denser drill pattern that can hold the necessary detail. I then divide the panel into sections and approach it as if I were painting—each peg acting as a drop of paint. I build up the image gradually, working section by section, adjusting as needed, until the piece emerges in its entirety. This layered approach allows me to create not only the physical structure of the work but also the emotional and visual depth that defines my pieces. Each step is a careful balance of intuition and precision, drawing on both my technical process and my artistic vision.
Do you see your art as more of a visual song or a story in motion? How do you connect with that energy?
For me, my art is undoubtedly more of a story in motion—an evolving narrative that unfolds with each viewing. The final chapter of that story is written by the viewer, who completes the experience through their unique perspective. Whether it's their eyes that connect my vision to their perception, or the personal history and emotions they bring to the piece, I find it fascinating how two people can experience the same artwork in entirely different ways. Factors as subtle as height, the ambient lighting in the room, or the time of day all play a role in shaping how a piece is seen. Even two people standing side by side may not see the same angle, and that’s where the beauty lies. The viewer has the opportunity to move, adjust their perspective, or even view the work through a phone screen—each action subtly altering the way the piece is experienced and understood. In this way, the art becomes a dynamic dialogue between the piece itself and the viewer, with each encounter offering a new interpretation and a new chapter in the ongoing story.
Is there a color or pattern that holds a special meaning for you in your current work?
At the moment, two color palettes in particular deeply resonate with me. The first is monochromatic which gradually transitions from light at the center to a deeper, darker edge, with accents of silver, gold, and neutral tones. The contrast between the center and the surrounding colors creates a sense of depth, and when I look at it, it evokes the feeling of gazing at the night sky, scattered with stars. After creating and selling several of these pieces, I made one for my own home, and it’s become a fixture in my dining area—its presence always feels comforting, almost like a quiet reflection of the world beyond. The second palette, which I’ve named “Portal,” has a more dynamic and fluid quality. It can transition in various directions—top to bottom, edge to edge, or center outward—but the heart of the piece always begins with a delicate blend of white and soft yellow, which gradually deepens into shades of coral, rose, and purples. Finally, it transitions into a rich spectrum of blues, often merging with hints of black. The way these colors shift and flow through the piece gives me the sense of a portal—an entry point into another realm, moving through time and space. The feeling it evokes is one of endless possibilities, and it’s this sense of motion and transformation that I find so captivating.
If your pieces could emit a sound, what kind of music or atmosphere would they create for viewers?
If my pieces could emit sound, I imagine it would be an ambient, moody atmosphere—ethereal and expansive. The sound would be subtle, almost hollow, creating a vast sense of space without overwhelming or distracting the viewer. It would be a continuous, looping tone, one without a clear beginning or end, inviting the viewer to lose themselves in the details of the piece. Much like the countless painted wooden dowels that make up the work, the sound would envelop them in a journey—quiet, introspective, and boundless. Your art often feels playful yet structured. How do you balance spontaneity with precision in your creative process? While much of my work is thoughtfully planned in advance, I don’t always map out every detail down to the individual peg. I approach the assembly process in sections, as most of my pieces require many days to complete. This means I have to account for factors like drying time and working time, allowing flexibility in case I need to adjust or rearrange elements as I go. Within each section, however, there is room for spontaneity. I deliberately create space for improvisation, especially when it comes to the placement of the pegs. For example, with gradients, I focus on evenly distributing colors within a defined area, but there’s a level of freedom in how I achieve that balance. In my representational work, particularly with pieces like my floral or portraiture series, I often face moments where the drill pattern doesn’t quite align with the reference image. In these instances, I have to make on-the-spot decisions to adjust and ensure the final piece captures the essence of the subject. This interplay between structure and spontaneity is where I find the balance that brings each work to life.
What was a recent moment or experience that sparked a new idea for one of your dynamic artworks?
My recent cherry blossom series was inspired by a trip to Kyoto during cherry blossom season. The delicate yet abundant blossoms falling from the trees struck me as visual fragments, almost like tiny pixels scattered through the air. I wanted to capture the essence of this fleeting beauty using the dense drill pattern that defines some of my large-scale round pieces. To begin, I created a small 15” prototype to experiment with colors and to understand how to scale the imagery within the frame of the larger work. Once I had refined the concept, I set to work on the first piece of the series, translating the ephemeral beauty of the cherry blossoms into a dynamic, textured form.
Matt’s art invites us to move, to see, and to feel in ways that evolve with every encounter. Each piece offers a new story, a fresh perspective, and a chance to connect. Want to experience it for yourself? Explore more of Matt’s work and immerse yourself in the rhythm of their vision.
Check Out All the Pieces by Matt HERE
