Meet Matt Esparza | Contemporary Artist & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matt Esparza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matt, how do you think about risk?
I think the greatest rewards in life are on the other side of risks. Playing it safe or doing what’s normal is not for me and I think it makes life that much more of an adventure.

“The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice but conformity” – Dr. Rollo May

It takes a lot of courage to be an artist/ entrepreneur full time so I think if you want to live free you have to embrace a lifestyle of risks and the uncertainty that accompanies it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Please tell us more about your art. My diverse bodies of abstract contemporary works are a mixture of acrylic, polymers, oils, and aerosol paints on hand crafted wooden box frames. My travels to over 27 countries in the past 10 years plays a key influence on my work; the cultures, textures, colors of each place are reflected in my work. A large portion of my works are finished with a high gloss epoxy resin.

We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about.
What sets me apart from others is my versatility and adaptability. I believe visual artists should have the freedom to create across various styles, mediums, and genres. Much like musicians, actors, dancers and photographers whom can freely switch between genres and styles, I feel it is a challenge that many visual artist are faced with. I seek to challenge those beliefs that seek to limit visual artist to a certain genre and continue to explore various styles through my bodies of work.

How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? 
It’s been a solid but amazing journey. I began painting out of a friends 5×5 shed in Oklahoma then to painting under a carport in LA and to my dads backyard in Texas. Doing art shows at concerts, flower shops, where sometimes I didn’t sell anything and even had people steal my art. To now being able to travel the US doing shows in Santa Fe, Beaver Creek, Aspen, and Palm Springs. It definitely wasn’t easy but I’m thankful for all the support.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way.
One of the biggest and hardest lessons I’ve learned is to never give up. Which sounds cliche but it’s true. There are so many days you question if it’s worth it. The second lesson would be to believe in yourself. Also cash is king!

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I’d want the world to know that it’s more than a profession or craft. To be an artist and creator takes guts and courage daily. It takes putting a piece of my soul into every creation and allowing the viewer to participate in that process.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d send them to hang out on Lower Greenville or Bishop Arts. I’d tell them to eat at Eno’s Pizza, HG Supply Co, Wabi House, Odd Fellows. My go to taco spot in Oak Cliff is El Si Hay.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shoutout to my father, George Esparza. For giving me a space to create as a child. He gave me free range to draw and color on my walls. Then also as a college graduate, broke and moving home from some time in Los Angeles. He gave me my grandmas old house as my first studio space.

Website: www.themattesparza.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/themattesparzagallery
Facebook: www.facebook.com/themattesparzagallery
Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCN35sAxNnfgqu1nFb5qOOCg

Image Credits
Matt Esparza