Des Matthews spends her time painting in her studios in Sedona, Arizona and in Salinas, California as well as throughout the world. Her work includes pastels, acrylics, watercolor and other media, and her paintings are in many private and corporate collections. The needlepoint kneelers she designed for St. Pauls's Espiscopal Church in Salinas have received nationwide attention. Des has taught drawing and printing classes in Salinas, La Romaita School of Art in Terni, Italy as well as numerous workshops throughout the American West. Some of her instructors were Louise Marrionetti, Sir Jon Porter and Keith Lindberg.