Matthew Bartsch

Bartsch, Matthew
41, of Las Vegas passed away on October 27, 2012. Son of Susan Lacy Bartsch Glynn and Dr. Robert Bartsch of Phoenix, Matthew was born in Pretoria, South Africa, and raised in the Moon Valley area of Phoenix. He graduated from Thunderbird High School, and attended University of Arizona, Arizona State University, as well as Scottsdale Community College where he studied art with Robert You. An abstract artist, Matthew created over 1,000 paintings, many of which were exhibited in galleries, cafes, restaurants, and at the popular First Fridays in downtown-Phoenix. He was the first artist to graduate from Art Awakenings, a non-profit agency that provides creative support for artists with mental illnesses. The National Alliance on Mental Illness and National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) honored him by selecting one of his paintings, "Angel Behind Bars," to be on the cover of the Spring 2009 edition of "The Schizophrenia Bulletin." He started painting at age 27, the same age as Vincent Van Gogh. He called his style "Popolo Kafka." Matthew's subject-matter included abstract cubist musicians, ominous minds, and young couples. His inspiration came from Pablo Picasso; Jackson Pollack; Ernst Ludwig Kurchner; and the local surrealistic painter, Daniel Kuester. "I have painted like a true starving artist in some very strange places during difficult periods of my life," Matthew said. "The Kafkaesque darkness of mental institutions, overcrowded homeless shelters and halfway houses in drug-infested neighborhoods have all influenced me. My greatest support and hero is my beautiful fiance, Nadine, who has stayed with me through many difficult times. I believe that keeping God close in my heart and following my passion and bliss are very important to my survival." Matthew is survived by his father Robert Bartsch DVM (Marjorie); mother Susan Bartsch Glynn (Joel Glynn); brother Brennan Bartsch (Lynda) and their children, Zoe and Zach; step siblings Kelly, Stacy, David Westhoff, Janel and Jennifer Glynn; dear friend, Nadine Sokolowski; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Services will be held at 5:00 p.m., November 19, 2012, at Shadow Rock United Church of Christ, 12861 N. 8th Ave., Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: NARSAD Artworks, PO Box 941, La Habra, CA 90633 or Shadow Rock UCC's "Momentum at Work," 12861 N. 8th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85029.