Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Matt Adams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Matt, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I taught myself photography and painting. I’ve never been to school or taken any classes. Drawing and art in general is just something I’ve always loved to do, so I’ve spent a lot of time trying to get better and practicing over the years. I bought my first “real” camera back in maybe 2019 and then spent months reading everything I could find online and then going out and using shooting what was around me locally and I think that’s had a big effect on my style in general.
I don’t know if there’s anything that I could have done to speed up my learning process, but I do wish that I had start practicing more seriously when I was younger.
I don’t think there’s an essential skill necessary to be able to learn a craft but what is necessary is a drive and a desire to learn for yourself. The only way to learn or get better at something is to practice and spend time learning and applying your knowledge to your craft. That and learning to be patient with yourself.
The biggest obstacle for me would have to be time, not having enough free time, like a lot people. I have a full time job working with my family business, so finding time and energy to work on things for myself can sometimes be difficult to do.

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

I’ve been doing some kind of art most of my life. Inspired by my fascination with anime, I began teaching myself to draw in the sixth grade. Art wasn’t exactly valued at my school. I grew up in Alabama, in a town with less than 2000 people. The only art class offered at my highschool, that I recall, was arts and crafts where teens were making things like paper mache bowls. While I’ve always appreciated and been curious about different ways of making art, that wasn’t a form I was particularly interested in, so everything I know now is self-taught.

When a certain form pique’s my interest, I get a little obsessed and will consume anything about it that I can get my hands on. Back in 2016, just after the end of a long-term relationship, I moved back home to Ashford after living in South Dakota for a few years. Moving back hadn’t been part of my original plan. A bit disappointed and uncertain about my future, I found myself craving an artistic outlet to immerse myself in; a mental escape, I guess, since physically leaving Alabama was no longer an option for me. That’s when I started learning how to paint and do photography.

I started by giving friends paintings as gifts, doing portrait photography for people I knew, and eventually doing photography for local dance and theater companies. I was also hired as a photographer for a local production company and photography studio. People in my community were noticing my art more and were really encouraging. I started getting requests to create more. Suddenly, I was being offered opportunities to display my art in local small businesses and sell it at festivals and art walks.

In both my photography and paintings, I do a lot of portraiture. While I’m able to do more traditional styles, I prefer a more creative approach. I’m really interested in what’s happening in the background–the little details, textures, and shapes. I also love doing art photography. I tend to gravitate toward abandoned and rural landscapes, forgotten things, dilapidated buildings, and spaces where the natural and the manmade interact in unexpected ways.

I think what sets me apart, at least in my hometown, is my artistic approach to portraits and headshots. I have a lot of fun shooting in unique locations, playing around with different lighting, perfecting little details in the background, and collaborating with the individual to create something really unique to them. For example, I did a photoshoot with an author, recently, in the attic of an old farmhouse. That was a lot of fun.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Sharing my art with people and hearing how and why they appreciate it and connect to it.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Getting out and finding local artists they like, buying and displaying local art, hosting and showing up to events that support local artists, and encouraging their towns and cities to include art in city planning.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoobs_irl/