MARY MATSON — Soul Safari

"Keep on making stuff. Keep being surprised. Keep on keepin' on."

Mary Matson is an artist and illustrator, currently living in Los Angeles. Inspired by art, travel and cooking, she divides her time between drawing, day dreaming and working on projects with her husband Matt. She has always been attracted to classic and iconic things with a personal touch—it shows in what she makes and how she sees the world. Mary's clients include Kate Spade/Jack Spade, J Crew, West Elm, Condé Nast Traveler and Martha Stewart.

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On vacation in Mexico. A trip with girlfriends. Photo by my pal Katie Berry. It’s fun to travel and share experiences with friends.

Where were you then? Where are you now?

Then: Moving to NYC changed my life. It was a dream to work, grow, find possibilities that I never knew were actually right in front of me. Hustling. Bustling. Making friends and being part of a community. I cherish that.

Now: Moving to California from NYC. A year ago I would have never thought I’d be in California. New colors. New shapes. New things to discover. The light here is beyond inspiring.

Amazing what can happen, if you are open to it.

I have been collecting rocks form various beaches & painting on them. The collection is growing!

What's the one piece of advice you'd give someone going through their own transformation?

“Keep On Moving" by Soul II Soul has been running through my mind lately...

“Keep on movin'
Don't stop like the hands of time
Click clock, find your own way to stay
The time will come one day.”

Since moving to California, the sun has been my biggest inspiration. These are sample of my ongoing series of Sungrams I've been making.

Are you being guided by a mentor?

Matt, my soulmate. We meet at 15. He’s my guide, my inspiration and my funny bone.

Coney Island people. A little while ago, I filled a sketchbook of people on the boardwalk.

Where's your soul place?

The Beach. The Ocean.

Coney Island speaks to me, in a sentimental way. Matt & I lived in Brooklyn for 15 years. We spent many years talking & walking, dancing & tanning on that boardwalk. We took the subway down on hot days, sometimes on cold days but never rainy days.

Our new spots we are still discovering along the California coast.

I would love to spend more time in Italy w/ Matt. We have spent time on the Atlantic, now on the Pacific… someday the Mediterranean.

I love having a studio & painting in the backyard.

If you could do anything in the world, what would you do next?

Keep on making stuff.
Keep being surprised.
Keep on keepin' on.

All images used with permission of Mary Matson.