How an Incurable Disease Made Him a World-Famous Speed Painter

In this episode of Give It a Nudge, Steve Grace sits down with world-renowned live speed painter Matteo Charles for one of the most unique episodes yet. While chatting through his journey, Matteo paints a live portrait of Steve right in the studio. From an old-school signwriter and Sydney club DJ to collapsing with severe ulcerative colitis, Matteo opens up about spending five years in and out of hospitals and surviving a near-fatal heart attack during an iron transfusion. He shares how picking up a sketchbook in a hospital bed sparked his philosophy that "Art Heals," leading him to bet on himself, develop his signature rapid live painting style, and turn a life-altering illness into a global career. Today, Matteo performs around the world, creating high-energy portraits in under ten minutes to music, sometimes completely upside down. He talks about performing at the Playboy Mansion for the Grammy Awards afterparty, opening for Tony Robbins and Kevin Hart, painting for Bruce Lee's family in Hong Kong, and staying grounded while working in rooms with billionaires and A-list celebrities. Watch the episode to see Steve's live reaction to the final portrait reveal. Episode Highlights Chapters 00:00:00 Painting live in the studio and Steve's reaction to being painted 00:03:19 The diagnosis: Surviving ulcerative colitis and hospital battles 00:10:45 How art became medicine: Finding purpose in the darkest moments 00:21:06 Developing the speed-painting craft on an old garage door 00:23:09 The breakthrough: From Sir Michael Parkinson to the Playboy Mansion Grammys afterparty 00:32:42 Studio secrets: Why Matteo avoids painting teeth and the mechanics of upside-down art 00:43:33 Betting on yourself, tuning out the noise, and navigating elite rooms 00:45:54 The final portrait reveal and Steve's speechless reaction