Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Brown.
Matthew, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In the grand scheme of this life, I am insignificant, but I what I accomplish through my cartoons impacts each individual in a positive way. I didn’t get where I am today without hard work and hanging with people who are more talented and seasoned within the comic book industry. Each person that I know has even more of an amazing story, I’m just humbled to be in their life. I feel that after many years of heartache, disappointments, and life’s setbacks, that I am given this awesome opportunity to live and impact each person, positively, with my cartoon art. But I can’t forget those who saw potential and supported me through my growth as a comic artist: My adopted mom and dad Ali Henson and Chuck Hinson, who took me in when I had nothing, McLain McGuire of CCP, Chris Hays of Pastime Comics, Marty Rosin with Gabe’s Cave, Ken Salinas with Voodoo’z, Aaron Williamson comic artist, Melanie Kohn the voice actress of Lucy in Peanuts, The Owners of Cicis Pizza in Arlington Mark, Mike and Skylar, Ed Hernandez with Goldmine Collectables, Geoff Cupid Comic-Con event planner, Central Bible Church, DJ Hall artist, Steve Garcia animator of the Simpsons and Iron Giant, David Sanchez artist, Shawn Besaw with Sanctuary Books and Games, all the fans at the cons and comic book stores that bought my artwork and saw an art style that spoke to them personally and lastly my wife Andrea Brown, who sacrifices each day in order to make the business side of BlAz N Art runs smoothly. Each of these people that I mention had a major influence on where I am today and how I operate BlAz N Art. It wasn’t just me who built this company, it those that were around me that had a major influence on how to grew to became the entrepreneur that I am today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like any company that is started or vocation that is pursued, there’ll always be struggles. I have to make sure that each and every struggle is an opportunity for those around me to see a stable, trustworthy and confident individual who can find solutions to each problem that arises.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As an artist, I specialize in traditional cartoon art with pencil, pen and markers, and sometimes paint; it all depends what I’m feeling at the time. I do a lot of traveling throughout the Central part of the United States attending various comic cons and making guest appearances at various comic-book stores. When I am not on the road, I spend my weekends at Cicis Pizza in Arlington, Texas on Little Rd, handing out free 8x10s to children and families. Even though I meet various celebrities’ and voice actors throughout my travels; I get the most joy meeting people through my extensive travels throughout the Central Part of the United States while handing out free 8×10 artwork to children and their families. I guess you can call it a calling, but the scripture verse that propels me forward is Ephesians 2:10 Amp, 10 For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set] so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]. Ultimately, I want to let people know that we are a masterpiece, a work of art, and how I do that is through drawing and coloring cartoon.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I learned that through a tragic, whether from loss of my adoptive mom due to Covid-19, loss of our house (Moving into an Apartment), and losing a business (that I invested my entire teacher’s retirement fund); that my Faith and Christian walk would be stretched. I realized that God always has something better down the road, I just had to be prepared for the ride that was to come. Through crisis can either refines a person or refrain a person to move forward. Through the Covid-19 confinement, it became a refinement process. I drew a lot of pictures for it helped me to avoid going towards a very dark place in my life. It was one of my good friend Chris Hays, at Pastime Comics, in Watagua, Texas, that he introduced me to an awesome entrepreneur, Mclain McGuire of CCP. Mclain and Chris has been very instrumental on where I am today as an artist. Not only do they give me helpful business advice, they are great to make sure the laughs are abundant when were all together. But ultimately, the person who gave me the inspiration to draw and sell my artwork was my wife. Andrea doesn’t realize how much she sacrificed in order for BlAz N Art to become a success during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was because of her that I started to sell my artwork at small, outdoor high school events, in the cold, windy, rain. Just to have finances, I would sell my original 22×24 paintings for $25. Was it hard, yes but it was fun. I got a sense of what I am willing to go through in order to provide for my family. I love my wife and family very much. My mentality is for my wife to know that she and our family are taken care of. Even more than the financial end of BLAz N Art, I need to make sure that I am reading my bible daily, praying, tithing to our local Church, Central Bible, and making wise, ethical, business connections on a daily basis.
Pricing:
- 12×18 Print $10
- Starting Price Custom 12×17 Commission $150
- Starting Price Custom 12×18 Commission $180
- Starting Price Custom 16×20 Commission $220
- Starting Price Custom 22×24 Commission $260
Contact Info:
- Instagram: BLAz_N_Art
- Facebook: Matthew Brown Fort Worth Texas
Image Credits
Linda Young
Vic Mignogna
Gabe’s Cave
Pruitt Taylor Vince
Ray Park
Lexi Rabe
Melanie Kohn
McLain McGuire
Ken Salinas
David Sanchez
Marty Rosson
William Russell
Cole Hays
Rob Broussard
Zack Spivey
Darren Rosson
Lisa Cossentino
DJ Hall
Chris Reed
Tone Rodriguez
Chris Hays
Andrea Brown
Mike Hinson
