Meet Samrin Matin | Visual Artist and Curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Samrin Matin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Samrin, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
In all honestly, this is something I am still struggling with. However, I have perfected it a bit since I first started, but I am constantly learning new things on how to work smarter, not harder,

Currently, I work a 9-5 for a company that is in the tradeshow industry; it’s a love-hate relationship because the tradeshows are fun, but at the same time that’s 40 hours a week so time management can get rough. At work, I get to network and learn so much from other vendors, designers, and other miscellaneous entrepreneurs. The downside is that it’s still a job where I have to put in work and set aside time for making my art, implementing self-care, and spending time with family and friends.

How do I think about the balance?

My art started as a hobby and I do my best to not let it consume me as a small business or become too transactional. Once it starts to become that way, I dread it, I try to make the most of the creative process and use it as a tool to unwind, it makes it feel less like work. Before, I used to take on more than I could handle, and it would have me in a really bad mood and overworked. Now, I compartmentalize certain tasks and try to make more space for errors so I’m not being overly critical of myself.

Over the years, I have learned that it’s better to just do something instead of waiting for the perfect time.
I work, and then afterward I’ll either work out (if I don’t do it before work,) and if I still have enough energy in me, I will try to work on my art little by a little bit each day or space it out where I’ll reserve an entire day or weekend to work on my stuff. Sometimes I’ll even schedule art dates with my friends too and that way I get some quality time in with the people I love.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think every artist has their own quirk or unique element of their own.

Creating my tie-dyed pieces and my moss walls take strenuous work and a lot of time being crouched over, burning my fingers with hot glue, and also wearing out my arms in wringing out the dye from cloth. It’s draining. I don’t just make stuff to sell and make money off of, but rather carefully design a piece in my head or create a draft of it before I decide to make it. When I make something, I intend to be proud of it and I want it to be something I would want to buy myself.

My marketing strategy focuses on my branding, networking with other artists, curating my own events, and the multiple different products I make and sell. In preparation for art shows, I focus on showcasing my original art and prints, so canvases and moss walls, and sometimes I also bring my tie-dyed pieces if I have any available. For vendor markets, such as plant meet-ups, I focus on my succulent terrariums and moss walls.

As of recently, I am most excited about my moss walls, I think people are really warming up to them compared to when I first started making them. I love the variety in the different types of pieces I make and the way it still gives the same benefits as if I were to buy a plant, but this time with zero maintenance.

Getting to where I am now wasn’t easy; People doubted me or made slick comments that obviously indicated that they didn’t think I was serious enough. However, the biggest enemy at the end of the day was me. Self-doubt will creep up every now and then, but I refuse to allow those thoughts or other people’s opinions of me to affect my goals.

The common denominator in my branding is nature. I incorporate flowers, plants, trees, moss, and the divine feminine into my art. The divine feminine is the feminine aspect of the divine power that connects and binds the Earth together. Remember it’s MOTHER Earth, not Father Earth!

I want people to know that I really do love what I do, and my works of art mean the world to me.

At the end of the day, my goal isn’t to be famous or super rich but to be able to say that I did what I wanted while I was here.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So I actually really struggled with this question the most because I typically hang out in Decatur and the Chamblee area, with East Atlanta, also being included.

Monday: Jeju Sauna in Duluth because it’s way less crowded and then hit up Thai of Norcross for lunch/dinner because the food at Jeju is very tasty as well!

Tuesday: Botanical Gardens in Midtown and then Rumi’s Kitchen in Colony Square.

Wednesday: Take the MARTA to Lenox (I promise it’s actually improved A LOT) and then take it to Grindhouse.

Thursday: Pregame at the Painted Duck in west midtown and then hit up Feels ATL, a live R&B Tribute experience that’s just great vibes all around.

Friday: Visit All Fired Up, a pottery studio in downtown Decatur, and then grab a s’mores cookie from Ali’s Cookies next door. I would probably do some shopping afterward and catch a movie at Phipps or Atlantic Station to end the night.

Saturday: Brunch at Another Broken Egg Café and then tag the bridge on the Beltline before checking Eventbrite to find an art show going on in the city (chances are there will be one.)

Sunday: Go thrifting in Little 5 Points, and hit up Rag-O-Rama in Little 5 Points and Psycho Sisters. I would also do some browsing a bit at Criminal Records and then grab some lunch at either the Vortex or Hattie B’s. The energy and people in Little 5 Points are just magical.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shout out my family as they are incredibly supportive as well as my friends and colleagues, who constantly hype me up and show up for my events.

Website: https://linktr.ee/artbysaka

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbysaka