Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Thomas.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Based in Memphis, Tennessee, I am a multidisciplinary artist and videographer known for a diverse body of work that spans digital media, traditional oil painting, video, books, and satirical content. My backstory is a mutt-mixture of sports (track & field), a few near-death experiences as a teen, evolving from reluctanct church-boy that turned away from religion and found my own way. I won a few awards as a young artist in the 90’s that led me to believe that an art career was the best option for a decent life. I’m still waiting on that verdict. While at MICA, I fell in love with videography and produced a short film that ran the film festival curcuit of the early 2000’s. I decided to move to NYC in 2005 and got two internships (one was with Ridley Scott that turned to dust) while working nightclubs in New York and a production assistant on music videos and commercials. In 2009, I met a financial advisor named Jamil (RIP) that got me into equities and stocks and convinced me to end my couch savings account! I got fired from my club gig and started stock trading and while out partying, I met an old alumni from MICA (Jovan S.) at the Studio Museum in Harlem. I created promos for openings at the MOMA, the Guggenheim, and the Studio Museum in Harlem. A series of personal misfortunes occured and I needed to come back to Memphis, TN. My mom was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and I decided to start on a book called LSDT. It gained a bit of buzz in 2012 and launched a bit of a career for me. I was back in the game and traveling to NYC, getting crazy press and for what seemed like my break. That fizzled out and I needed to make money so I started shooting realty photos in the “hood” for Reedy & Co. while teaching at MCA (thanks to Cat P.). MCA went under around 2018 and by 2022, all of the cheap money for realty ended once the fed raised the interest rate . I applied for a corporate gig with Archipix, learned how to shoot and edit polished work and eventually started my own freelance work, shooting projects for a number of realty companies and teaching at CBU as an adjunct professor. I also got lucky with a few licensing contracts with FOX, Hilton Hotel, television and film collaborations (thanks to Coralina M.) and a few other connects in San Francisco and Chicago. During an artist talk in Memphis at CMPLX in 2018, I ran into filmmakers Sarah Fleming and Joann Selvidge and got a chance to art direct Juvenile (2022). I recently finished my second book last summer (The Book of Matthew). These days, you can find most of my work and history on my website Matthewmatics.com.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My struggles were both internal and external. My biggest downfall was my own. I played “adult” too early. I tried to snatch a lifetime of wins in 10 years or less. This caused major creative setbacks, depression periods and dark moments because I wasn’t wise enough. I simply overshot for things I was not groomed for, but colleges and people surrounding you never really tell you the truth. Only losses in life show you. Betrayal shows you. The more I ran from my losses, the more of them I created. Everywhere you go, you will eventually find yourself. The old you and the “new” often meet at the strangest times. The things I disliked about my past, my family, or background always found me in my new home. I was the carrier. Eventually, I had to face or come to peace with all of that shit. I grew to hate incompetent leadership, but it is everywhere. The issue was really my lack of self-governement. I had ambition, but no patience. I had drive, but I had no idea just what the industries of art and entertainment would take. There were a lot of sexual things went on in “meetings” and parties that I didn’t want part of. A lot of that is being dragged towards the light thanks to the #MeToo movement of 2019 and the Epstein files release of 2026. I missed those opportunites because I wasn’t willing to pay the price for admission. Gettign older, I’ve accepted the cost of being Matthew Thomas I don’t blame anyone else. I admit that I have done some things I swore to myself I wouldn’t just to survive in this world, but everything I’m not made me everything I am (Pre-Kardashian Kanye voice). I’ve learned from that. Having the conviction of a code really clears the vision of which road to take.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Matthewmatics, llc?
In Memphis, I shoot events and realty photography. Nationally, I create volume prints for hotels and produce product photography images.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Visit my website for portfolio work or send me an email at info@matthewmatics.com for more details.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://matthewmatics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewmaticsdotcom?igsh=anFjcmYydGpqdXJ3
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MatthewThomasMediaProduction
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-thomas-647b9235b/
- Twitter: @MThomasArt
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@matthewmaticsdotcom
