Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Zaremba.
Matthew, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always been creative in some way, whether that meant producing music, shooting photos, painting, or writing. When my father passed away in 2011, I started writing down daily thoughts accompanied by small drawings, mostly as a means of catharsis. It was a way for me to clear my mind and create something tangible out of the emotions I was processing. Over time, the style of drawings became more refined and the subject matter began to grow. Running themes in my work include relationships, communication, the mind, and the human condition. I’ve been fortunate enough to garner attention over the years, and have the opportunity to collaborate with a variety of brands and publications.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being an artist always feels like you’re on an unsteady path… Or at least for me. Creativity itself comes from some subconscious place and there’s always this voice in the back of my mind wondering if I’ll lose that talent or inspiration someday. We live in a time where we all increasingly get our sense of validation from social media followings and press hits, so I’m always balancing that awareness with the fact that I could care less. When you’re making art based on your reality, there’s really no plan b. I’m going to continue creating pieces whether thousands of people see them or only a handful.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
As a freelance artist, I am often hired by brands or publications. I don’t do personal commissions, and I’m hired for my specific style and approach to subject matter, so I retain full creative control more or less. If it’s not something I can stand behind, I’m not doing it. That’s a nice freedom to have. I’m also an exhibiting artist, which gives me the opportunity to show my work across the country and abroad.
What were you like growing up?
I’ve realized recently that I’m still basically interested in all the same things I was when I was a teenager: Skateboarding, graffiti and art, music production, and the outdoors. Now that I’m a new father and my wife and I are raising a son, I’ve been spending a lot of time looking back on my life, finding a new appreciation for the things my parents instilled in me. They were huge supporters of our creativity (my brother Nick is also an artist) and always encouraging adventure. While other kids were playing soccer and baseball, we were building ramps in abandoned military bunkers covered in our own murals, making films, producing beats, walking train tunnels. It certainly didn’t make us the most popular, but we were constantly being inspired. We were hungry for experiences and to cement some sort of legacy in this fleeting life… Whether that was wishful thinking or not, only time will tell.
Contact Info:
- Website: xiii-xxvi.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/matthewzaremba
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