Making It Interview...with Matt Kawika Ortiz
Matt Kawika Ortiz, contestant on NBC's Making It. Interview series highlighting makers who share their advice and why they make.
By Scott Mathson, Makerviews
Makerviews exists to share the stories of and advice from a variety of talented makers, designers, and artists.
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Maker interview with Matt Kawika Ortiz
Having recognized the passion, drive, and pure enjoyment of making things that each Making It contestant illustrates, Makerviews is excited to have the chance to highlight, feature, and share insights from each contestant. This Making It series gives a deeper look into these makers lives through their answers to a few, quick questions. Learn more about this series.
Matt Kawika Ortiz is a muralist, father, surfer, husband, longboarder, skater, and artist. Matt draws upon his Hawaiian culture within much of his artwork and he and his wife run a business together, Wooden Wave, and are most known for their murals and unique artwork.
Check out this interview with Matt Kawika Ortiz, maker from NBC’s Making It.
Making It Interview...
with Matt Kawika Ortiz
What inspires you to keep making things?
"I love building fun narratives into my work! A little storytelling can go a long way and the potential for art to bring joy should never be underestimated. I find my inspiration in the challenge of imbuing each project with a sense of humor and personality."
What one piece of advice would you give to other makers?
"Trust the process and stay positive! Break it down into stages. Especially with more complicated projects, I like to sketch out my idea first and make a list. The practice of organizing these steps creates a mental rehearsal that keeps me focused and moving towards a goal."
What is your biggest takeaway from Making It?
"Makers are creative problem solvers at heart. Being on 'Making It' pushed me artistically to places that were outside of my comfort zone! Building these projects under such tight timelines taught me to trust my instincts and to embrace each challenge with a willingness to learn. It can be so much easier to shy away from situations that stretch our abilities. But new territory is where some of the most exciting growth happens!
Also, I just want to say that the friendship bonds that developed between all of the makers on this show was and is LEGIT! I'm so very thankful to have met these wonderful and talented makers. Especially in these times, the power of positivity and good vibes cannot be discounted. Aloha!"
"The potential for art to bring joy should never be underestimated." — Matt Kawika Ortiz
Follow Matt Kawika Ortiz’s work: Wooden Wave website • Facebook • Instagram profile.
View and learn more about the Making It interview series. Thank you all for reading this interview - get out there and make things!
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Next up on Making It series:
Making It Interview...with Lilly Jimenez
Lilly Jimenez, artist and contestant on NBC's Making It. Interview series highlighting makers who share their advice and why they make.
More about NBC's Making It:
Presented, produced, and hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman with judges Dayna Isom Johnson, Simon Doonan, and featuring other guests. Season 1 was set in a serene cabin near Malibu, Season 2 premiered during 2019's Holiday Season, and Season 3 started airing on NBC on June 24, 2021.
"In this six-episode competition, eight of the most talented makers from across the country will take on a variety of handmade projects with the hopes of impressing Poehler, Offerman, and judges. Poehler and Offerman both share a love and passion of craftsmanship, albeit from different perspectives. Poehler is a self-proclaimed crafting novice who has long harbored a secret appreciation for those who can imagine and execute incredible things by hand. Offerman is a New York Times best-selling author in the woodworking space and is well known for his love for making a variety of objects himself.
Every show will revolve around a central theme that draws inspiration from hugely popular, nationwide trends in crafting and DIY, which the whole family can enjoy.
Each episode of the competition will consist of two projects that allow the makers to demonstrate their specialized talent, while sharing skilled insights and touching personal stories. First, the "faster-craft" round will be a timed challenge that will test their ability to not only work quickly but imaginatively as well. Next, the makers will move to the "master craft collection," a one-of-a-kind themed challenge in which the competitors will need to use their expertise and get inventive in order to assemble a winning craft that fits the theme of that week.
Blending the atmosphere of a serene outdoor setting and innovative cinematography designed to showcase the beautiful craftsmanship at work, this friendly competition will focus on the character and camaraderie of the crafting community and through it all, Amy and Nick will provide heartfelt encouragement, guidance and plenty of laughs."— sourced from NBC's Making It
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