Pasadena Vendor Spotlight: Mike Matola
1. How did you get your start in the handmade community?
I was poor! And necessity is the mother of invention. I literally had a pen from my job washing dishes in North Ridge and a pad of newsprint paper. The original concept of handwriting full albums of song lyrics to make a portrait was for a friend's birthday present. She loved it. The rest snowballed out of control from there.
2. What do you feel makes your work unique and truly your own?
I hand write them! People always ask me if I ever make a mistake. Of course I do! If I wanted it to be perfect I'd do it on the computer. It's interesting that my work is extremely relatable but at the same time extremely foreign to people.
3. What or Who Inspires you?
I don't know anymore! I'm in a middle ground right now and still figuring a lot out. I think I used up my inspiration a long time ago and now I'm running on hard work and determination. What was that quote? "Good work is one percent inspiration, ninety nine percent perspiration" I'm in perspiration mode! But I do enjoy long afternoons chit-chatting with my small group of friends and peers whom I love, troubleshooting ideas, getting new data, and figuring out "What's next?!?" People put too much stock in inspiration and not enough into hard work.
4. What is your creative process like?
-figure out what the people want
-figure out what I want
-lay it out
-WRITE!
-repeat
5. What is the coolest artistic tip you have ever received?
Too many! I did a magazine spread for a graphic design class years ago that featured a torn paper edge (because I was in college and 'edgy') I took a really long time digitally creating the torn paper effect. My professor told me "Next time just tear a piece of paper in half and scan it." He was right. It's an old engineering adage: K.I.S.S. Keep it simple stupid.
6. What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?
More prints! I was barely able to bring half of my collection last time. This time I'm all in!
7. Where can we learn more about you?
You can follow me on twitter and instagram @mikematola :)