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

Matt, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

In 2020 I met a family with a daughter that has a genetic disorder. I created a painting of their daughter to highlight her abilities. She referred me to a friend that has a daughter with a rare disorder. I created a painting of her daughter, again, highlighting this young girl’s abilities. Her mother suggested I create a book with a series of paintings of children with rare disorders and the stories of what they can do. For the past several years I have created 14 paintings of children, and am now working on the stories and putting the book together. I anticipate completing this book by the end of 2023.

Creating this book has been a very emotional work for me. I have met with families that are dedicated to creating a supportive and happy environment for themselves, and for others with children with remarkable abilities. These families come from around the world: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It is especially touching to me as I have included the stories of my oldest sister and two of my grandchildren in this book, all three had significant challenges in their lives.

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

I have always been an artist. My earliest childhood memories in some way connect me to drawing or painting. I took art classes in summer school, and as a Boy Scout, one of my first merit badges was Art. In high school I took art classes each year, and was awarded “outstanding senior artist” my final year.

However, when it came time to decide what to study in college, my math and science grades won out, as I was told I needed to study something that I could make a living in. So, I became an engineer. I had a successful career as an engineer, developing computer hardware systems for a major computer company. I continued to draw and paint when I could, but never had much time to dedicate to my artwork.

My life got turned upside down in 2016 when I was in an accident while riding a bicycle. I ended up in the hospital’s ICU and a traumatic brain injury (TBI). At that point, After two and a half months of recovery, I tried to return to my job as a manager of computer engineers. After three months of trying to work, it became obvious that I could not do it.

During my recovery time, my wife suggested that I spend my time painting. I got out my watercolors and watercolor paper, and started to create. I am still recovering, and I am still painting.

The company I was working for when the accident occurred had conference rooms named after Northern California Lakes: Tahoe, Shasta, Alpine, Trinity, Mendocino, and Eagle. I created paintings of each of those lakes to hang in the conference rooms. At that point, I realized I could sell my artwork.

Several years after my accident and TBI, my wife and I were able to purchase some property in Northern California a few miles east of the city of Paradise. We had a small house and a workshop that I could use as an art studio, and a quiet place to rest my injured brain. In 2018, a wildfire swept through that area and much of the city of Paradise was burned to the ground. When we were finally able to go look over our property, we found there was nothing but ashes and charred wood remaining.

While looking at the remains, the words to a song from Disney’s “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” came to my mind, “From the ashes of disaster grow the roses of success.” I was determined to find the roses among the ashes. I picked up some mostly burned 2x4s from my studio, and put them into a bucket. I broke them charred wood into smaller chunks, got a mortar and pestle, and ground it up into a fine powder. I learned how to make watercolor paint from that powder. I have also learned that I can add those ashes to other paints, acrylic and oil, and make some fascinating colors and textures with the remains of my art studio. Most of my artwork has some of my studio in it, making a rose out of the ashes.

In 2019 I saw a picture of a Great Basin Bristlecone Pine, a tree that can grow for a very long time. They don’t grow tall, but they can live thousands of years. The oldest known Great Basin Bristlecone Pine is over 4,800 years old. They appear to be beaten, and half dead, but they find a way to live and grow. These trees inspire me, and taught me to recognize their resilience and ability to thrive in harsh environments. It gives me personal hope and inspiration, and has led me to paint and draw the strength of trees around us.

Late in 2019 I enrolled in a program to learn how to sell my art. Early in that program, I clarified for myself what my life purpose is. My life’s mission. This purpose has always been important to me, but I now had the words and ideas to enable me to share it with others. I have found that sharing my mission with others helps to connect me with them, and with my artwork. I want to inspire others to embrace their abilities and grow from their life challenges. My own experiences in life which turned me upside down (literally and figuratively) has taught me to create my own opportunities.

This is when I met some families with special children and started a series of paintings of children with rare disorders. Remarkable children who have amazing abilities. I am compiling these paintings and their stories into a book, celebrating there abilities, giving encouragement to them, and to other families that may be working through their own challenges with children with different abilities.

I continue to create paintings of people to celebrate the abilities or accomplishments of others, and to create paintings of the beauty and resilience of nature. I have replace the studio I lost in the wild fire with a studio and gallery outside of Placerville, California. My preferred mediums are ink, watercolor, and acrylic, and I am starting to pick up oil painting. I have shown my artwork in the Placerville Arts Association member shows, the Mother Lode National Art Exhibition, and the Rancho Cordova Arts member shows. But most of all, I love creating artwork that touches the heart of the viewer.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

As a survivor of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), I have had to adapt to a new set of physical and mental limits. Each brain injury is different. Each individual responds differently to those injuries. As a result of my TBI, I have limited mental stamina. While creating artwork is easier on my brain than other tasks, I still have limits on how long I can focus on my artwork. I am grateful for the support that I receive from my wife, my family, and my friends. I am still working on expanding my mental stamina, but I do as much as I can.

I created three paintings that represent my journey (titled “My Journey”) and another illustrating how much support I receive from others (titled “Holding Up”).

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I get to meet some wonderful people, hear about their dreams, what inspires them, and hear of the moments of their lives that they want to be reminded of each day. Then, to work with them to create a painting that they can hang in their home to represent that memory. I love meeting with my customers and hearing their reaction to their new painting. When it touches their heart, it touches mine.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.HuesOfTheWorld.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattharline/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjharline.art/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-harline/

Image Credits
All images are of original artwork of my creation.