First, can you let us know where people can find your artwork and how you got started in the “Pittsburgh art world”?
Well, I own my own art business and you can find my work on Instagram @MattSPeckArt.
As a kid, I went through some tough times like a lot pf people do. Art was an escape from reality for me – it came natural to me. I did some small scale things for people – friends and family – and that caught on. I just wanted to give others some of what art did for me.
I did a mural in the Strip District on unity and racial issues and some of the Steelers came out and signed it. I asked them if they wanted me to do some custom cleats for them. Now some of those guys went from clientele to friends – guys I hang out with and are personal friends with.
What are the kinds of art projects you enjoy doing most?
I enjoy doing canvas paintings. I like running with an idea – adding my own twist to what others imagine. Opening an avenue to creativity for them to see their vision come to life. So they can tell me they may not have pictured it like I did it but that it was cool.
That translated into cleats too. They are a close second – like the Christmas cleats I just did for Derwin Grey. Those are a fun thing for me to do – to express myself and their ideas as well.
How do you usually work with players on these projects?
They usually reach out to me. It usually starts out with a simple idea – something for things like My Cause My Cleats or something like that. I map out an idea for them and then I do the base coat and then sketch it out before I start painting and run the idea by them. The Steelers – they tell me if they look good they play good!
We have a couple of conversations first – they may ask me to add this or that – it’s a back-and-forth process. They are the ones that I want to see happy – it’s more about them than me.
Any of the guys you enjoy working with most?
I’ve been getting in with the younger guys. Cody Sabol has his guys he works with too – usually once you have a guy that’s your guy.
One relationship that’s become a friendship more than a working relationship is with Derwin Grey. We hang out together a lot and do stuff together. I grew up a die-hard Steelers fan – in Central Pa. It’s been cool doing this stuff for the Steelers players and if I told my Childhood self what I was doing know he’d freak out. But getting to know Derwin – to go over to his place and talk on a personal level – that means more.
I’m also staring to work with Antoine Brooks – he’s one of the funniest dudes I have met. He’s always trying to have fun. And I’m talking lately to Anthony McFarland too. It’s funny how many Maryland guys there are on the Steelers.
What makes those relationships so special from your point of view?
It sounds so simple – but just going out to the mall or to get some food. Fans see Derwin and are like “Oh my God!” I’m sure it’s cool and I get it, but I’m sure guys don’t want to be looked at like that all of the time. I mean, I don’t do this for money. The coolest thing about this is getting to know people and talk to people who appreciate what I do. That means more to me than anything – to get to know people. It’s cool that guys like Derwin see me as a friend – not just someone they have to pay.
Any other guys you want to work with most?
It’d be cool to work with more of the veteran guys – even as just a one-time thing. Just to be considered by them is cool. I did have a project working with Cam Heyward but the timing got all screwed up with all of the scheduling changes during the season.
I wanted to ask – what do you think is behind this big uptick in player interest in custom cleats and artwork in the area?
I think athletes want to be seen on a personal level. They are good at playing in games – but they are also criticized a lot on social media and people don’t really get to know who they are as people. I think it’s dehumanizing them. A lot want people to know who they are on the personal side.
I think me – Cody – we’re helping players write their own stories about themselves so they can express who they truly are. A lot feel dehumanized and this is a way to help with that.
The cleats – I know some people think it’s all about being flashy. But I think it’s a way for them to express themselves and their interests – to be more than just players on a team. They have interests, thoughts, feelings like any person does. This gives them a chance to show people who they are as real people.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
