We recently connected with Matthew Robinson and have shared our conversation below.

Matthew, appreciate you joining 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’ve learned how to do what I do (painting) on and off throughout my life. My parents would pin brown paper to the wall for me and my younger sister to paint on when we were little kids. Throughout my childhood and elementary school, I would paint and do crafts in school programs. Since 2022/2023, however, I’ve been working with a professional instructor to improve my craft. We paint still lifes and subjects in plain air, my main approach at the moment.

Knowing what I know now, there are different things I could have done to speed up my learning process (for example, joined workshops or programs). But as a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the early 1990s, my parents and I unfortunately encountered many obstacles along the way. Long story short, there were frequent stops and starts with opportunities for me to develop certain skills, and countless things we had to figure out alone, especially when it came to me getting quality support and instruction. But I am grateful to be on the other side now with consistent support and instruction based on something I truly enjoy doing! Through all this, I think perseverance, patience, forgiveness, optimism, and love have been key skills.

Matthew, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got into my craft by working with my instructor, Mitchell Smith, to sharpen my artistic skills and techniques with painting: watercolor, acrylic, and so on.

As far as the creative works I provide, I’d say still life paintings, paintings completed in plain air, and sketches of natural subjects are my main works right now. Original paintings are on canvases but I will soon be producing prints!

I think a combination of authentic expression and simplicity in my artwork is what sets me apart from others. I am proud that I have been blessed with the opportunity to finally engage in my artistic interests and build my artistic strengths. I’m happy to do something that satisfies me and pleases others. And I’m happy to make artwork that people appreciate and enjoy. I hope my brand and my work reflect these aspects of myself.

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

I can share many stories, though I think stories of when I had opportunities to develop my artistic skills and interests are most relevant to this interview.

For instance, when I was a pre-teen and teenager, my parents enrolled me in great programs with artistic instructors who were trained in everything from drumming to opera singing. I was progressing well in those programs and incredibly happy to participate. But these opportunities only lasted so long before other things intervened, such as my school district forcing me to leave one program, and my instructor in another program relocating and thus no longer being able to provide services.

I took these transitions hard as a kid, and it required much resilience for me to not only move forward into finding and embracing new opportunities but also to trust that sudden changes would not take them away.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Yes! To continue honing my artistic style and approach and to create an artistic foundation, not just financially but personally. I would like to enjoy art-making as a real outlet for me to express myself through, be myself through, feel free within, and connect with others and the world.

Contact Info:

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Image Credits

Carolyn Robinson