toner Matt Wisniewski is an American artist and software engineer. Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, he attended Rochester Institute of Technology, where he studied computer science. In 2013, he illustrated a work of fiction by Charles Baxter for the May issue of Harper’s Magazine. In 2014, he illustrated the cover and liner notes art for Young the Giant’s “Mind Over Matter” and related singles. (source)
Where do you get your inspiration?
I love work that’s both technically impressive and playful. The most common names I tend to keep coming back to are Nico Krijno, Can Pekdemir and Asger Carlsen. I’m constantly searching for new work that I enjoy and maintain a blog at healthy.mattw.life.
Which is the relationship and influence between your cultural background (country, studies, etc.) and your artworks?
Both of my careers (as a software engineer and artist) were born from playful experimentation and collaboration on early Internet communities. I don’t think I would have had the same experience on today’s Internet where interaction with others is often more ephemeral. I also obsessively curate work I enjoy and love walking a lot so my art is a natural side effect of everything I enjoy.
What are you much focused in?
Art is my selfish hobby. I mostly produce it for my own personal satisfaction in pursuit of physical and mental health or just a fun afternoon. I also write software for a living which is very focused on the needs of others. I use my art to give myself the satisfaction of working on something cathartic and that I appreciate the value of easily.
Have you encountered any difficulties when you first started your art/freelance career?
Nothing major. I’m lucky that I can support myself doing something I enjoy and can keep the art a hobby.
I’m a tiny bit colorblind, so I see certain blues and purples differently than most people. It’s definitely a concern that I’ll create something that I think is absolutely gorgeous but looks like mud or like it clashes to someone that can discern certain colors better.
Do you think that a creative job is just creativity or it’s discipline too?
It’s mostly discipline. Creativity doesn’t really matter if you don’t have the discipline to finish a large project you aren’t enjoying anymore, give your customer what they want instead of what you want, or communication skills to get there.
Are you currently work on new projects?
I’m always working on new projects but I don’t have anything in particular to share at this time. Lately I tend to focus on my own photography more than anything else. I most often share work on Instagram.
“Natural elements tend to be a little simpler and fit together a bit more obviously with the portraits than urban elements.”
“Creativity doesn’t really matter if you don’t have the discipline to finish a large project
you aren’t enjoying anymore”
Artist Website > mattw.art
Facebook > www.facebook.com/mattw.artist
Instagram > @mattw.art
Pinterest > www.pinterest.com/mattw_art
Tumblr > tumblr.mattw.arth
Twitter > @mattw_art
Flickr > www.flickr.com/photos/polishmatt/sets
