Today we’d like to introduce you to Matty Blissard.
Matty, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The goal was always to make a living by being creative in some capacity.
From a young age, I was fairly gifted at (and very much enjoyed) drawing. Whether it be absentmindedly doodling in math class or learning new mediums in my art classes – illustration and painting were my go-to escape from the mundane. Thankfully, as a child, I had a supremely supportive group of adults around me that recognized both my talent and passion for the artistic pursuits. I count myself lucky in that respect.
I attended Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA after graduating high school, having been accepted into their widely-respected Art Foundation program with the intent to major in some type of painting or fine-arts degree. Eventually I applied to be admitted into the Communication Arts major with a focus on Editorial Illustration. It was an enlightening experience because the program itself didn’t apply many guardrails to the mediums in which you were expected to submit assignments – so the art world was an open book to explore in that sense. That was where my focus shifted from traditional pen & ink pieces over to the digital realm – of which I had no prior knowledge or experience.
After graduating from VCU in 2010 (woof) I picked up shop and moved to Austin, TX to pursue a lifestyle of music having fallen in love with a spur-of-the-moment attendance of SXSW. It was the perfect place to land because the city is such a powerhouse of creative talent across multiple disciplines. I was able to engage in a plethora of different endeavors – from music to floristry to graphic design to illustration to film production.
For better or for worse, I am very much a jack-of-all-trades. But curiosity and a willingness to learn have served me well for the time being.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think any person in a creative field will agree, there is no such thing as a ‘smooth’ road to ‘success’.
That statement can be twisted in any way you want to perceive it. Financial limitations, creative blocks, self-doubt, slow periods, lack of inspiration – the ebb and flow of energy, funds, and confidence rarely arrive pre-leveled.
That being said, the reward of inventing something from nothing (and making a living from it!) is an enormously fulfilling feeling.
It’s worth noting that ‘success’ is defined by the individual and comes in many forms.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As I said earlier, I would consider myself a jack-of-all-trades in a sense. However, I have definitely found success in a few different fields that align with my creative sirens.
My background is in illustration and design with a focus on aesthetically pleasing visuals while maintaining utility for the user or observer. I think many of my other occupations have benefitted from this initial leaning towards both function and taste. I still maintain many clients today who hire me for print and web design exclusively.
The aesthetic and practical nature of my work led me to the film industry in Austin where I enjoyed multiple years working for or in the Art Department – sometimes as a set dresser all the way up to Art Director depending on the project. I continue to work in the industry in multiple roles spanning different disciplines – though Film Graphics has been a staple income source as of late. (Sidenote: film is hard. I don’t think people realize how difficult production is, having only observed it from the outside – it’s wildly complex).
More recently, I’ve been pursuing photography and videography as mediums to empower clients to promote their own brands and ideals. I always had an interest in the photo/video realm but I didn’t start seriously applying them until a few years ago. There’s something beautiful in capturing moments that are irreplaceable once they conclude.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Try most everything and be kind. Curiosity and a willingness to learn is essential. And you never know who may pop back up in the future in your career pursuits.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dreamboat-media.com/
- Instagram: @bummertownband
- Other: @dreamboat_media (insta)
