Matt Tommey
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I was made to be a maker
With busy hands and thoughts and dreams.
I see the things that no one else sees
And wonder why not me.
I begin in places not understood
Just to end in places of unexpected joy.
I dream of beauty yet manifested
And wake to craft the wind.
I hear the sounds of life blowing through ideas
As I quiet my soul and quicken my hands
To make, create and release the dreams
Of the One who dreams with me.
I am a Maker.
Visit my website at http://www.MattTommey.com.
Matt Tommey is a world class sculptural basketry artist working in Asheville, North Carolina's River Arts District. His interest in fine craft and handmade baskets began as a teenager, growing up in southern Georgia. His passion for using natural materials began to center around creeping southern vine, kudzu while in school in the North Georgia mountains at Young Harris College and the University of Georgia. Now an Asheville, North Carolina resident, Matt's handcrafted baskets are a whimsical collaboration of traditional techniques and wild, rustic, natural materials including natural vines (kudzu, honeysuckle, bittersweet, wisteria, grapevine) and bark (poplar, hickory, mimosa and others). His most recent work focuses on sculptural basket art vessels using a combination of bark and vines, metal and encaustic wax.
As a professional craft artist, Matt is a leader in the contemporary basketry movement, serving on the Board of Directors of the National Basketry Organization (2011-2014), the River Arts District (2013) and as an instructor at schools, guilds and conventions around the country including Arrowmont, the John C. Campbell Folk School and the North Carolina Basketmakers Association Convention.
Matt is the author of 5 books and leads an online artist mentoring program called Created to Thrive, where he mentors artists in how to thrive spiritually, artistically and in business. For more information, visit www.MattTommeyMentoring.com