Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Dancy.
Hi Matthew, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Art has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Even though I was heavily involved in sports and other extracurricular activities growing up, I always found my way back to creating. Some of my earliest memories are sitting at my parents’ kitchen table drawing the cartoon characters I watched on TV. What was different, though, was that I wasn’t just drawing the characters. I was creating my own comic books and stories around them. Looking back, that was an early sign that storytelling would become a central theme in my artwork.
My art journey began during my senior year of college. I painted a design on a shirt and wore it around campus, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. People were constantly asking about it, complimenting it, and wanting to know more. Around that same time, I came up with the name “Somebody,” which would eventually become both my artistic identity and the foundation of Somebody Art Co. That was the moment when art shifted from being a lifelong passion to something I could build a business and community around.
After college, I pursued a career in business, sales, and hospitality while continuing to develop my professional art career. Rather than seeing those paths as separate, I learned how to blend them together. Today, Somebody Art Co. is built on that intersection of creativity, storytelling, community, and business. Through exhibitions, partnerships, public activations, and immersive experiences like Somebody Secret Gallery, my work is designed to inspire people to recognize the unique purpose that exists within each of us.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Like many entrepreneurs and artists, I’ve faced seasons of self-doubt, insecurity, and financial uncertainty. There were times when I questioned whether I was good enough, whether my work would resonate with people, or whether pursuing art as a business was even realistic.
One of the biggest challenges was learning how to believe in myself before there was any external validation. When you’re building something from the ground up, there are often long periods where you’re investing time, energy, and resources without seeing immediate results. There were moments when money was tight, opportunities didn’t materialize as expected, and I had to balance growing my art business while maintaining a professional career.
At the same time, those challenges became some of my greatest teachers. They taught me perseverance, stewardship, patience, and faith. They forced me to focus less on comparison and more on the purpose behind what I was creating. Looking back, every setback helped shape both the artist and the person I am today.
The journey has reminded me that purpose isn’t proven by the absence of obstacles. Often, it’s revealed through the willingness to keep moving forward despite them.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in creating artwork and experiences that transform spaces into conversations. Whether through original paintings, public art installations, immersive exhibitions, brand collaborations, or community events, my goal is to create work that resonates beyond aesthetics and leaves people reflecting on their own story. Storytelling has always been at the center of my creative process. Every piece begins with a message, and every project is designed to communicate an idea that people can see themselves in.
What I’m most proud of is building Somebody Art Co. into more than an art business. It has become a platform that brings people together through shared experiences and meaningful dialogue. From producing immersive events like Somebody Secret Gallery to partnering with developers, businesses, and community organizations, I’ve created opportunities for people to engage with art in unexpected ways.
What sets my work apart is the intentionality behind it. While many artists focus primarily on the visual outcome, I focus equally on the story being told and its impact on the viewer. The message of Somebody is rooted in purpose, stewardship, and servanthood. Every project is an opportunity to remind people that they were created with intention and that their unique gifts have value. My hope is that people leave not only remembering the artwork they saw, but also the story they discovered about themselves along the way.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a creative and adventurous kid with a big imagination. I loved sports, comic books, movies, and art, and I was always drawn to storytelling in one form or another. Looking back, many of the themes that inspire my work today were already present in my childhood.
I’ve always had a joyful, lighthearted personality and enjoyed making people laugh. Bringing positive energy to others came naturally to me, and I loved creating moments that made people smile or not take life quite so seriously.
Family was at the center of my upbringing. I have one older brother and grew up with close who also felt like brothers; I grew up surrounded by people I loved. We were always exploring, competing, and getting into new adventures together, which helped shape my curiosity and willingness to try new things.
More than anything, I viewed life like a movie. I was fascinated by stories and always felt like there was an adventure waiting around the corner. That perspective still influences my work today as an artist and storyteller.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artbysomebody.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_gregmatthew?utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/somebody-art-co/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZNObi5DaSCw&is=8ndwWJkI5RO6ZKiB
