Today we’d like to introduce you to Mathieu JN Baptiste.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Mathieu. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always wanted to be an artist. Growing up in Haiti where life was not easy, for me I had to find a way to make my voice heard and my only way out was art.
Great people have entered my life to help connect me with individuals of influence as it relates to my art. The first person to invest in me and help me is my mother. I’m so lucky to have my mom, growing up, many of my friends couldn’t say to their parents, “Mom, Dad, I want to be an artist.” Many of my friends had to work and help their families, to spend one’s day creating art was considered a luxury.
I’ve been blessed with great mentors that helped me stay on my path, most importantly I was blessed with my fiancé, who has been a major source of inspiration. Art was like a religion for me and still is, I start my day painting and end my day painting. In 2009, I had the privilege to meet with the President of Haiti, which led to me having my art in The Palace (the USA equivalent to The White House). It was a dream come true for me, later opening many opportunities for commissions throughout the country. In 2010, the Haitian government awarded me the privilege to teach art to inmates, that experience impacted my life in a tremendous way.
Moving to the United States was always a dream for me as a kid. My goal was always to build with other artists that were from other countries, who had different experiences than mine. In 2013, I won first place for a painting competition titled “Climate Change” organized by APROSIFA/UUSC, this experience provided me the opportunity to have my first international exhibit in Boston, MA (USA). My experience in Boston taught me that whatever it is I want in life, the universe will create a path to help me achieve my dream.
Now I am here in Houston, Texas building relationships, sharing my art, preparing and creating for my next chapter. Houston is a city that truly appreciates artistic expression in various mediums/forms. I am blessed to be amongst artists in Houston who selflessly invite me into their creative spaces, share resources and contacts for the advancement of my art. I am grateful for all of my sources, all praises to the most high are the words I say every day when I wake up…
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Being an artist, you’re always challenged by your surroundings, it was never easy for me. When I first started selling my art, I wasn’t earning enough to even sponsor my own craft. I had to rely on my mother to be my manager and investor. It was a struggle and still is a struggle because art is life; it is a learning process, every day is a new chapter.
One of my biggest fears is having my work displayed and someone tells me “Oh your work looks like an artist I know.” Understanding that every piece of art I create has a story, I’ve always wanted my art to have its’ own, unique personality.
Please tell us about Mathieu JN Baptiste.
My art is me and I am my art and that is the business.. Everything I create is an extension of me so my reputation is of most importance to me. My interactions with people, my words, my energy as a creative is what I pride myself on being known for in my community.
I specialize in realism, portrait, mural, surrealist and abstract art as well as metal sculpture. My art is known for being very detailed and colorful. What I believe elevates me from other artist is the God-given energy that guides me when I am creating, the way I manipulate colors and shapes. Most importantly, how my art influences and moves the spirit of those who encounter one of my creations is definitely a unique experience..
I enjoy commissions, murals, art wear, and live paintings. Having the opportunities to spread my work from Haiti to France, Italy, Spain and now the USA is a blessing I am proud to be experiencing at present..
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would not have underestimated the impact of advertising and marketing my art early on in my art career. I would have did more shows and reached out to more artists who were achieving the status of artistry I desired to attain at that point in my art career.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mathieujeanbaptiste.com
- Email: contact@mathieujeanbaptiste.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mathieuartsoul
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