Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Tyler.
Hi Matt, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
My journey with art started when I was sixteen. I fell in love with graffiti and tattoos during this time. This is where I started developing my drawing and painting style. After graduating high school, I accepted a job working for a metal fabrication shop. This was in no way a passion of mine but I knew this was where I was supposed to be. I worked there for seven long years and couldn’t wait to move onto something different. In 2016 I discovered a custom furniture company called Revival Supply Co. I was blown away by their work and reached out to the owner in response to an Instagram post saying that they were hiring. I started working for him two weeks later. This began a journey of honing my fabrication and woodworking skills while also developing my ability to design. I started taking on custom jobs as well as developing my own furniture brand.
Today, I am in the process of developing my first online furniture course as well as a book version. This will expand into many other courses focusing on different aspects of fabrication and furniture making. I hope to inspire the younger generation to pursue the trades and show them the creative applications to welding and the beautiful work that you can create.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has been a very long and difficult road. During my teenage years, I struggled with severe drug addiction and honestly should have either been in prison or dead. It was an absolute miracle of God intervening in my life that I came out of it. It took many years to rewire my brain and transform my life into what it is today. Most would never know my past but it definitely made me into the person I am today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work as an artist has gone from drawings to making t-shirts to furniture and much more. I intentionally set out to explore as many mediums as possible to see what I loved and what made me come alive. This has led me to now stepping into an educational role where want to give back and share my experience with others who are coming up.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up I was very into sports and thought this would be the path for my life. As I entered my teenage years, I became obsessed with skateboarding and that became my whole world. The rebellious nature and underground scene of it all became my escape and expression. This definitely had a big impact on forming my outlook on life, music I listened to, people I hung out with. I love the creative expression and acceptance that thrives in this scene.
Contact Info:
- Email: design@mattmakestuff.com
- Website: www.mattmakestuff.com
- Instagram: @mattmakestuff
- Facebook: mattmakestuff
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo_aAHnQsAIkhv8GZ6H_VKQ
Image Credits
Doug Klembara
The TX Studio
