I did this painting on my own in class. The idea is the three stages of a match being used.

Touch:In the first the match is new, preserved, with lots of potential. This first stage, an unlit match makes me think about the distinctive feel of the flammable part of the match.

Sight: The second stage is when the match is in its prime, using all of its potential, except the part you have to hold, the part that protects you. When the match is lit and is in a dark space, its light is the only thing that catches your attention, it blocks everything else out. Beautiful but dangerous, fire is a fickle mistress.

Scent:The third stage is when the flame dies and gives most of itself to the air. quiet but lingering. But notice that there is still a small ember in the third phase.

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In place of the traditional canvas I painted on small planks of scrap wood. I trimmed the wood in our schools workshop (the maker-space) to make them the same size which provides symmetry. You can see a photo of me cutting the wood with the band saw above on the right hand side of your screen (unless you are on the mobile view, then it is just vertically above). 

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To create these I first drew out the general outline on top of black acrylic with a graphite pencil, then I went in with various brushes and acrylics to paint the actual matches.