The Polaroid Project - Matt Campos
Artist As Brand® is excited to present The Polaroid Project, which features interviews and conversations with creatives and entrepreneurs that are invested in their craft and offer a unique perspective in their respected industries. Our first episode highlights, Matt Campos from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Matt is an incredible beader, artist, creative, and craftsman. What sets Matt apart is his personality and soul, allowing him to grow his personal brand and enlighten those in the Southwest.
Tell us about your Creative Journey! Where you started, where you were, where you are, and where you are headed!
I studied art in college and when I graduated life took over and I didn’t have an art practice for DECADES. It was only when I started studying shamanism that creativity came back into my life. I lost a lot of years but I don’t regret it. I feel like all the experiences and skills I gained during that time have influenced what I’m doing now. Every year since regaining my art practice has been a process of shifting, focusing, and refining which direction to take my work. I’ve come a long way and I don’t think I’m even close to my potential. But that “potential” really isn’t the goal. I just try to be better than I was yesterday.
How do you get in the creative zone? Do you practice meditation, explore nature, collaborate with others, ect?
If I have a creative block I stop everything I’m doing and go do something completely unrelated. Or I clean out my studio to shift the energy. Giving away or throwing out things that no longer serve a purpose creates space for other things to come into your life. I also like looking at things that are unrelated to my usual interests. It’s good to step out of your bubble once in a while. And I don’t do well collaborating because I’m very bossy.
What piece of advice do you have for creatives just getting into the industry?
Well I don’t think I’m part of any industry. But an old friend once gave me some great advice… If someone gives you an opportunity, even if you don’t think you can do it, always say yes!! You’ll figure it out later. And the simplest advice from me is…Be nice!!! You never know who’s watching. You never know who’ll give you your next opportunity.
Tell us about something you are proud of either a piece of work or a moment in your creative journey! How and why does it make you proud?
My primary medium right now is beadwork which I’ve only been doing for the past 8 years. It’s always a proud moment when well known and more experienced beaders will compliment me on my work. That never gets old.
Any projects that you would like to highlight that you are currently working on?
Within the past year I’ve shifted my main focus to creating jewelry. I’m setting my beadwork in metals like gold vermeil. They’re bold pieces. Definitely not for the shy.
Anything else we should know about you? Any fun quotes or mantras you live by? Anything you would like to express about yourself, your vision of the world, etc.?
When I was in art school, “craft” was always looked down on. But I am proud to call myself an artist AND a craftsperson. I’m not gonna concern myself with how other people define one or the other. I think I identify more with being a craftsman. It implies mastery of a particular skill and that is always a great goal to have.