Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Harris

Hi Matt, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

I’ve been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. I received my Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree from Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts where I majored in Illustration and also studied traditional drawing, Painting and sculpture. After college, I began working full-time as a graphic Designer for Mohegan Sun Casino as well as honing my skills as an illustrator working with various freelance clients and on my own personal work. Over the past seven years I’ve worked with many clients in the Tabletop Gaming industry and book illustration. Past clients Include Mongoose Publishing, Hit Point Press, Valhalla Board Game Café, Metalhead Games, and other independent clients. I’m excited to be tabling at my first ever comic convention: Terrificon at the Mohegan Sun Expo Center in Uncasville Connecticut from August 16th 18th! I’m currently working on expanding my illustration business and plan on attending many more exhibitions and conventions in the coming years.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

I’ve found that the best way to find work as an illustrator is to create the artwork that I am passionate about for my personal projects. these pieces of art attract like-minded clients that commission me to create artwork in line with my style and interests. The main struggle for me as an artist is conquering “Imposter syndrome” and the fear of not being good enough at my craft to produce work at a professional level. I overcame this by realizing that being an artist is more about the creative journey than the destination. You will always be better after you finish a project than when you started and if you get bogged down in thinking of all of the things that you could fix in a piece after it’s completed it can be frustrating, I’ve found that its more helpful to stay positive and focus more on taking the skills learned from my last piece into the next piece. I also make note of what I did well in each piece to continue expanding on my strengths. It is very fulfilling to look back at my past work and see the steady progression of my artistic growth.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

I specialize in creating digital and traditionally drawn or painted illustrations within the fantasy and science fiction genres. I am most known for creating illustrations of ancient warriors. I am heavily inspired by the ancient Celtic, Anglo Saxon, Nordic and Germanic cultures and their traditional stories. As a result, these influences show through in my work. I always try to tell a story within each piece. I am currently writing and illustrating my own book, “Core of Embers” and my goal is to do as much of the storytelling as possible visually rather than with words. I bring this philosophy into every piece of artwork that I create because a good story can be told just as well if effectively shown as it is if it is written or spoken in words. At the end of the day I view myself as a storyteller and art is my preferred tool for doing the telling.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?

The most important lesson that I’ve learned along my journey so far is to be persistent. The only person that you are competing against is yourself and by taking steps to become better at you craft each day, whether by inches or miles, you will conquer your goals. I’ve found that holding this mindset and keeping my nose to the grindstone has helped me to continue improving my skills after each piece of work that I complete. Publishing my illustrations online to be seen by prospective clients through social media as well as on my website has led to a gradual increase in demand for my artwork from clients who resonate with my work. My list of clients continues to grow as my portfolio expands and improves in quality.

Pricing:

• $95.00 for Character Designs
• $95.00 for quarter page Illustrations
• $200.00 for Half Page Illustrations
• $250.00 for Full Page Illustrations

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mattharrisart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattharrisart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Theartofmattharris/

Image Credits
Matt Harris