Everyday People: Astoria artist finds depth in two dimensions

For Matthew Palmgren, the process of art and design is a way for him to work out his thoughts.

The two-dimensional art hanging in his studio at 14th Street Studios in Astoria has a similar style. Paper, transfer and paint are layered on top of each other on wood with a ground and finish that makes some elements pop forward.

“I started making paintings on plexiglass that would sort of step back into space,” Palmgren said. “And then I sort of condensed all that into one single plane.”

His most recent work also layers images, but on paper, which Palmgren said requires him to be even more calculated.