Tell us a little about yourself?
I'm 38 years old. I've been making mosaics for 15 years. I'm obsessed with art, science fiction and motorcycles. In fact, I just purchased a motorcycle with funds primarily acquired on Etsy.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Where does anyone's inspiration come from? It's a total mystery to me.
Who or what has been most influential in your craft?
The biggest influence in my craft has been my mother, who supported us as a stained glass artist as a kid, and has always supported my art (and given me access to her scrap glass!)
What does handmade mean to you?
Handmade means designed and executed by the artist, what else?
Life-size Dia de los Muertos Skull |
When did you know you were an artist/maker?
I started approaching visual art with seriousness when I was about 17. I'd always been creative, but that's when I decided to pursue art to the exclusion of everything else. That's also when I discovered (not coincidentally, in retrospect) that girls dig artists...
How would you describe your creative process?
My process is two-fold. In the long run, I'm always pursuing virtuosity. With each individual piece, I'm pursuing that "zone" where time slows down and new ideas and techniques manifest themselves seemingly out of thin air. That's a strangely detached and powerful feeling.
Mosaic Skull made with tumbled stained glass tiles |
When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?
I was raised hardcore Jehovah's Witness, so I was prohibited from dressing up for Halloween. As a result of that upbringing, I've spent my entire adult life jaded and faithless, and obsessed with faith, religion and spirituality; but always as a perpetual outsider looking in.
What was the first concert you ever attended?
AC/DC's "Razor's Edge" tour, 1991. It was deafeningly loud and my ears were ringing the whole next day, but it was so worth it!
Visit Jiveworks:
Etsy Shop - http://www.etsy.com/shop/Jiveworks
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Art-of-Matthew-Alexander-Mosaics-Drawings-and-Paintings/257380511780
Those skulls are so neat! I love mosaics. :)
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