Two full-time artists. Thirty-six years in Washington, DC.
at Artcelerate Gallery in Washington, DC
ABOUT THE SHOW: EVERY DAY, ALWAYS.
Featuring original works by Matt Sesow and Dana Ellyn, alongside their collaborative "Defiled" series, "Every Day, Always." reflects the relentless drive, daily discipline, and creative obsession that fuel their art. Painted here. Lived here.
Matt Sesow brings a raw, expressive energy to his work that reflects a lifetime of resilience and dedication. Known for his bold colors, emotionally charged brushwork, and iconic symbolism, Matt paints every day from his downtown DC studio. His pieces confront personal trauma, political turmoil, and the human experience — unfiltered and unapologetic.
Dana Ellyn uses her art to challenge, question, and spark conversation. With sharp wit and painterly skill, she tackles topics ranging from politics and religion to food and feminism. Dana’s work reflects her lifelong commitment to painting with purpose — every canvas a story, every day a new exploration.
This exhibition also features pieces from their collaborative "Defiled" series, where Dana and Matt take turns transforming each other’s work. "Every Day, Always." is a portrait of two lives lived through paint — relentlessly, passionately, and right here in Washington, DC.
ABOUT MATT SESOW
Matt Sesow is a Washington, DC-based painter known for his fierce, emotionally charged artwork and his relentless dedication to the creative process. A self-taught artist, Matt began painting in 1994 while working as a software engineer. By 2001, he committed fully to his art, launching a career that has produced thousands of powerful, unfiltered paintings collected around the world.
Sesow’s work is deeply personal — shaped by childhood trauma and driven by a raw, expressive style that often merges social commentary with symbolic intensity. His paintings explore themes of resilience, chaos, and transformation, using bold color and gestural energy to leave a lasting impact.
Matt has exhibited internationally, including solo exhibitions in Barcelona, Spain, and Cruseilles, France. His solo exhibition Shock and Awe at the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM) in Baltimore ran for over a year, and more than 20 of his paintings are now part of AVAM’s permanent collection. In 2021, he was featured in a major exhibition at Old Dominion University alongside the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat — a career highlight and full-circle moment for an artist who cites Basquiat as an early influence.
Painting daily from his downtown DC studio, Sesow continues to push boundaries — not only in his art, but in his ability to connect directly with collectors and audiences across the globe.
ABOUT DANA ELLYN
Dana Ellyn is a Washington, DC-based painter celebrated for her bold, thought-provoking narratives and her fearless approach to contemporary issues. A lifelong artist, Dana committed fully to painting in the early 2000s, building a career defined by her prolific output and her unflinching engagement with history, politics, and personal experience.
Her work is deeply reflective, often weaving satire, symbolism, and storytelling into compositions that challenge viewers to question assumptions. While unapologetically direct, her paintings remain layered — offering both immediate visual impact and nuanced commentary that rewards close consideration.
Dana has exhibited internationally, with solo and group shows across the United States, Europe, and Asia. Her work has been featured in museums, galleries, and major press outlets, and is held in private collections worldwide. Notably, she has been included in exhibitions at the American Visionary Art Museum, (Baltimore, MD), MISP Museum of Art (St. Petersburg, Russia), Katzen Arts Center at American University (DC) and Pen + Brush (New York City), underscoring her place within conversations on both contemporary art and social critique.
From her studio just blocks from the White House, Dana continues to paint daily — producing works that fuse the personal with the political and expanding a body of art that has become both her diary and her dialogue with the world.
ABOUT the DEFILED (collaborative) paintings:
Their collaborative journey began when Dana dared Matt to 'add his signature lips and teeth' to one of her finished paintings. From that playful challenge, the DEFILED series was born - a bold and unpredictable creative process where on artist 'abandons' a painting, leaving it to the other to complete.
Together, they've created a captivating body of work that's as surprising as it is powerful - each piece a fusion of two artisti visions colliding in harmony.
