Born January 14, 1949, artist, Matthew Lovein, along with his artist wife, Mary, resides in the coffee farming town of Holualoa, located on the slopes of Hualalai Mountain, above Kailua-Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Later he owned and operated a furniture design & manufacturing business in California, before moving to Hawaii in 1989. His experience spanned more than thirty years, before he discovered his natural gift for creating art out of clay.

Matthew remembers, "I first became excited about art at the age of twelve. I used the medium of charcoal and pastels to capture inspirations during my nature walks." He was also interested in photography and liked creating metal etchings and doing wood carving.

Currently, the artist is focused on both the Raku style of firing and colorfully glazed high-fired works. His ceramic forms are original, yet classical, often with an Oriental flavor. He is also working with various metals, incorporating them as embellishments to his designs.  Fused glass is the latest medium.

"After years of being involved in art and design, I found the potter’s wheel. Here, work is play and my hands are at home. When I discovered Raku, I was fascinated and excited with the vast options available for creation of new works. Working with wet clay feels fresh and comes naturally to me. I enjoy the combination of deliberateness and spontaneity that it allows."

"When Raku-firing, I love the element of surprise, as each new piece emerges. It’s a birth, a gift of creation, formed by the meeting of fire and clay. I feel that I am fortunate to share in the celebration of an ancient art form, that is both contemporary and timeless."

Mr. Lovein attended formal training in sculpture and ceramics at the Southern California Institute of Art. He has participated in and has hosted various seminars and workshops.  The artist’s work is in numerous public, corporate and private collections, throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Europe, South America and Australia. It is displayed in Hawaii State Library, Office of the Mayor of Hawaii, West Hawaii Today Newspaper, homes and offices of many well known celebrities and art collectors. His work has been accepted into many State and County juried exhibitions, with Best of Show Awards and purchases.