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

Alright, Matthew thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes. I currently earn a full-time living as a professional artist. I started my creative journey a long time ago, but it wasn’t until a few years ago or so, that I’ve been able to embrace this concept fully. I have always had a desire a propensity to be creative. It was and still remains to be a life force that I can’t imagine living without. My path really began in Baltimore, MD. where I attended The Maryland’s Institute College of Art. My concentration was painting and continues to be today. There are always “ebbs and flows” in every aspect of business. I’ve always heard that the best thing is to continue making your work regardless if you are in those peaks or valleys. Through lots of discipline, hard work, focus, desire/love, and lots of coffee; I’m currently happier than I’ve ever been with my career and “this is just beginning”!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Matthew Hance. I’m a full-time professional fine art painter. I’m originally from Maryland. I believe that I was born into this industry or at least never wanted to do anything else. I’ve never had a plan B. Over the years, I’ve managed to make some brilliant connections with people in this industry. I’m an advocate of building a solid community and surrounding yourself with like minded individuals. Making the work is the most important part of the process and secondly having a No Fear attitude helps a lot. I’m constantly learning and taking risks, whether it’s with each painting I produce or with each individual I reach out to connect with. “You never know until you try”. As mentioned earlier, I’m a painter. My medium of choice is oil painting. This is my current artist statement: The concept of alchemy stems from the creation and transformation of an idea. This is perhaps at the very core of my artistic philosophy and always a great starting point to building a composition. I believe in the importance of staying both rooted in one’s own artistic values, and at the same time open to improvisation (ie. color/energy/form). This dynamic is another important element in producing a great work of art. I have always been inspired by the human form. Themes that I love to explore are: anthropomorphism, dynamism and synaesthesia(a union of the senses). Another one is anthroposcopy, which is defined as the act of determining character or personal characteristics from the form or features of the body, especially the face. Artists, to name a few, I’ve been inspired by are: Ingres, Mozart, Gauguin, Picasso, Matisse, Edith Piaf, Nina Simone, Miles Davis, DeKooning, Joan Mitchell, Miro, and Francis Bacon.

The most important aspects to me, as an artist, is to remember to stay consistent in your practice, to absorb/ be inspired by the world around you, stay open to experimentation, and to love what you do.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is having the ability and opportunity to create something from nothing and sharing it with people. That act has lots of potential to make a difference, whether big or small, in someone’s life. Being an artist has always been a great therapeutic experience for me and has helped shape the world around me.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Currently, a particular goal that is driving my journey is an international one. I’ll be traveling to Paris in the fall. Let’s just say, I’ll be researching a new artistic chapter. .

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Matthewhanceart

Image Credits
I took every photo