New Ipswich artist Matt Patterson hosted an open studio tour on Saturday, Dec 1, 2018.

Matt displayed his latest work, a painting of a Radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata), a critically endangered  species from Madagascar. Matt explained that they are being driven to extinction by poachers. He may get the opportunity to travel to Madagascar to assist in a tortoise conservation program.

In the warmer months it is not uncommon to see Matt kayaking at Water Loom Pond observing snapping turtles.

Matt is so intrigued with reptiles he might very well metamorphose into one.

Matt works in several disciplines including wood carving, print making and even carpentry.