Origins
1966
Born in Omaha, Nebraska
Matthew Sesow is born and grows up in rural Nebraska.
1975
The Airplane Accident
At age 8, while playing a game called "spud" in a field near his home, Matt is struck by the propeller of a silently landing airplane. His left hand is amputated. Heavily dosed with morphine in the hospital, he's visited by what he describes as an angel who gives him a choice: die and go to heaven, or fight and have an interesting life. He chose the interesting life.
Life-Changing Event
Early Career & First Paintings
1988–1993
Software Engineer at IBM
Works as a software engineer and begins making short experimental films. Moves to Washington, DC in 1990.
1994
Begins Painting at Age 28
Self-taught, with no formal art training, Sesow starts painting — finding it faster and more direct than filmmaking. Begins selling work immediately and painting daily, a practice he continues for 30+ years.
Career Begins
1996
First Group Exhibition
"State of the Union" gallery in Washington, DC. Also lectures at Georgetown University on painting and film. Short film "The Box" wins Best Experimental Film Award.
Exhibition
1997
Asia Travels
Travels to and paints in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore.
1998
Peace Corps & Solo Exhibition
Volunteers with Peace Corps in the Solomon Islands. Solo exhibition "American Self Taught Visionary" at The San Jose Art League, California.
Solo Show
Full-Time Artist
2001
Becomes a Full-Time Artist
Leaves software engineering career to paint full-time. Begins selling directly to collectors through his website sesow.com — no galleries, no agents.
Major Milestone
2002
GeekCorps Bulgaria
Travels to Sofia, Bulgaria with GeekCorps to help set up software testing processes for Bulgarian industry. Paints prolifically during the trip, inspired by Soviet-era statues.
2003
"31 Days in July" Project Begins
Launches the annual "31 Days in July" project — one large painting per day in response to that morning's news. Created in response to the Iraq War. The project continues annually through 2013, producing 310+ paintings over a decade.
Signature Project
2004
First AVAM Appearance
Included in "Holy H2O" group exhibition at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. Paintings begin selling in the museum's gift shop.
Museum
International Recognition
2005
France: Art Singular Festival
Featured in 8th Annual International Art Singular Festival in Roquevaire, France.
International
2006–2008
DC Gallery Scene
Multiple exhibitions at Gallery Plan B, Longview Gallery, and other DC venues. "Brushfire: Political Awareness" group show. Featured at Arts on Foot and Adams Morgan Day street festivals, selling hundreds of paintings directly.
Exhibition
2009
Barcelona & Slovenia
Solo exhibition "Sesow in Barcelona" at Gallery ArteVistas. First American representative at the annual conference of self-taught artists in Trebnje, Slovenia, at the Galerija likovnih samorastnikov.
International Solo Show
2010
Marriage & Denver Exhibition
Marries artist Dana Ellyn at Long View Gallery, DC — the ceremony includes an art exhibition. "Pet Project" solo exhibition at VSA Colorado / Access Gallery, Denver. Keynote speaker at "Unique Perspectives: The Healing Power of Making Art" symposium in Takoma Park, MD.
Personal
2013
United Nations Stamp
Matt Sesow's artwork is selected for a United Nations postage stamp — a singular honor recognizing his artistic contribution on the world stage.
Major Honor
Museum Recognition & Legacy
2016–2017
"Shock and Awe" — Year-Long AVAM Solo Exhibition
150+ paintings exhibited on the 3rd floor gallery of the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore for a full year. This marks one of the longest solo exhibitions in AVAM's history. 20+ works enter the museum's permanent collection.
Solo Museum Exhibition
2019
Documentary Film: "Join Hands"
Documentary film about Sesow's life and art is released and becomes available through the AVAM gift shop and on Amazon.
Film
2021
Exhibition with Basquiat at Old Dominion University
"Life and Limb" exhibition at Old Dominion University's Baron and Ellin Gordon Art Galleries. 150 Sesow works exhibited alongside 13 original Jean-Michel Basquiat paintings from the university's permanent collection. Features a MagicBox interactive display.
Museum Exhibition
2023
Record Output
Creates 697 paintings in a single year — one of his most prolific periods. Total career sales surpass 15,000 original paintings.
Record
2026
17,000+ Paintings Sold & Counting
Sells 60 paintings in January alone — his best month ever. Total career sales exceed 17,000 unique original works distributed across 40+ countries. Begins working with AI tools to document, promote, and share his life's work globally. Continues painting daily from Washington, DC.
Current