We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Evan Mattice a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Evan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Thanks for having me! So, growing up, my mom was this amazing artist, and luckily, a bit of that creative gene made its way into my DNA. My family was all about play and creativity – I was that kid with a popcorn bucket full of crayons, a glue gun (probably too young for it), and my sister’s Easy-Bake Oven was fair game for my concoctions. Later, in high school, I fell in love with drawing and painting. Fast forward to 2021, my wife decided to dive into grad school, leaving me with a bunch of free time. Enter YouTube, where I stumbled upon people starting sticker shops and art businesses during the pandemic. Intrigued, I started messing around with digital illustration and signed up for classes at the Creative Arts Center of Dallas. Those classes were a game-changer, reigniting my creative mojo. I started creating art at home, and not wanting it to just collect dust, I decided to sell prints and stickers online.It’s been a wild ride, turning a hobby into a side hustle. Huge shoutout to my family and friends for the support and for pushing me into this creative journey!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Of course! Before we dig into the details, let me give you a quick snapshot of who I am. I am from a quaint town in Iowa, famously boasting the only two stoplights in the entire county. In a community where football and wrestling are kings, I found my place in high school art class. It became my sanctuary, and I dove into it whenever I could.

When college decisions loomed, I, like many creatives, faced the classic dilemma: follow my passion for fine art or opt for a supposedly more stable career. Listening to some outside advice, I chose the path of Industrial Design at university. It did not take long for me to realize that design and fine art art not the same thing. This revelation led me down a different path, and I ended up with a doctorate in audiology, now practicing at a neurotology clinic in Dallas. A bit of a plot twist.

After a decade-long detour in audiology, I finally rediscovered my artistic mojo. It was a lightbulb moment, prompting me to dive headfirst into the world of digital art and illustration. Armed with newfound enthusiasm, I embarked on the journey of creating Ev Mat Studio. I craft my digital drawings on my iPad, transforming them into art prints and stickers that you can find both online and at various markets and art fairs. I like to say I specialize in finding the magic in the mundane. I love capturing everyday moments, especially in still life, drawing inspiration from the world of food and drink. Our lives are brimming with incredible sensory experiences, and through Ev Mat Studio, I aim to remind people that even the simplest things can be beautiful.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the coolest part about being an artist is this interesting dance between getting lost in my creative bubble and then sharing it with the world. Cooking up ideas, bringing them to life—it all goes down in the solitude of my head and my little creative nook. It took me a minute to gather the guts to put my stuff out there and actually sell it.

So, I threw together an online shop, kind of just to see what happens. To my surprise, it actually caught on. It’s wild to think that what I crafted at my makeshift desk in the spare bedroom is now hanging on walls across the globe. Seeing people dig my work enough to make it a part of their daily life by sticking it on their walls? That’s the real deal. The journey from my solo creative zone to the world appreciating and living with my art—that’s the sweetest part of being an artist for me.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Absolutely, and it’s funny how unlearning can be just as crucial as picking up new lessons. One significant lesson I had to reevaluate was centered around embracing change and allowing myself the flexibility to pivot.

Devoting a solid eight years grinding in school to earn my doctorate instilled a sense of commitment to that particular career path. While the work itself is fulfilling, the thought of locking into the same gig for the next three decades triggered a bit of restlessness. It wasn’t a full-blown “I’m stuck” vibe, more like realizing life has more options than just “Plan A.”

Luckily, my day job gives me the stability to chase my creative dreams without having a financial freakout. The gradual growth of my creative business may or may not transition into a full-time career, and that’s perfectly acceptable. I’ve learned it’s fine to pivot, to roll with new passions and opportunities. Shifting that mindset let me embrace the unknown, finding joy in the journey and realizing that the path I first sketched out isn’t the only one out there.

Contact Info:

• Website: evmatstudio.com
• Instagram: @evmatstudio
• Other: TikTok @evmatstudio