LINK: meet matt q + a
Previously on: meet matt
First off, I want to thank Matt (@iMartist) for taking the time to answer my questions. This was such a fun experience for me and I hope for Matt as well. I loved the bona fide, vulnerable, and engaging stories that were shared. It reminded me of my high school yearbook editor days, when I’d interview students and staff, trying to craft stories that went beyond the surface, giving people a chance to be seen and known.
In a way, this Q&A felt like stepping back into that role, but only now, instead of high school hallways… it’s the internet. We’re all neighbors here in this virtual world, scrolling past one another every day. Why not pause and actually get to know the person behind the posts?
art and creativity
- your blog shows a range of drawings and artwork. Do you have a favorite piece you’ve created thus far? And what makes it stand out to you?
There was a post done on April 8th called Doing the lindy hop. The lindy hop was an African American style of dance from the 1920’s Harlem Jazz scene. https://martist1970.com/2025/04/08/doing-the-lindy-hop/
I tend to draw a lot of movement pieces, usually dance but this was the first time I utilized Siser Vinyl Pattern & Color Sticker paper. So it’s a collage of sorts. I started creating more pieces with that paper.
- what inspires your art?
Other artists & writers I follow on WordPress, general interests, sometimes even music.
Other favorite pieces of art appeared in the 3rd incarnation of my blog the Art of M. This acrylic cat painting.
And this Film Noir pen & ink drawing this drawing ended up on a billboard display on the South Bethlehem Greenway sponsored thru an exhibit at Lehigh University Art Galleries.
Like a lot of my work, they were part of a larger series of work, the cat painting was 1 of 10 and the drawing was the first in an illustrated short story.
- what’s your go-to meal to cook when you really want to impress someone?
I don’t often cook to impress but when Jess and I were dating, I made both a mean roast pork & a chicken lasagna, after those two meals she was sold on letting me cook 99% of our meals 
- do you write mainly for yourself, or do you have an audience in mind when you make a post?
I suppose it depends on the post. When I am writing for prompts or contests, film or book reviews it’s written for an audience. Anything opinion or rant related, I am writing as a means of release to alleviate stress. I recently created a photo and wrote a poem called Enough https://martist1970.com/2025/09/20/enough/ , in regard to dealing with a clueless public who misgenders me at times. I do have an extra female chromosome thanks to Klinefelter syndrome but I identify as 100% male.
- is there a project you’ve created that felt especially personal or healing for you?
The previous incarnation of my blog was called iMpart or I am part…every post was memoir related, both written and at times illustrated in comic form. It felt good to get some stuff out of my head, but I eventually grew bored with the idea. And restarted under the current name iMartist
blogging and expression
- you write about your experiences and thoughts openly on your blog. What made you start sharing publicly versus keeping it private?
I wear my heart on my sleeve. Almost everything I’ve created at one time or another had been personal. Be it writing, short films, animations, plays, music, painting, photography, drawings & comics. I like to read memoirs ya know, I like to learn about people through different life experiences. Maybe what I put out there will resonate with someone enough to want to open about themselves.
- has writing online helped you connect with people you might not have met otherwise?
I have met quite a lot of interesting local people offline through different creative endeavors, but blogging has broadened my audience/friendships to a national & international level I have never experienced before. I love that aspect of a far reaching community.
- which blog post was the hardest for you to write, and why?
Back in February not even two after turning 56, a blogger I followed died unexpectedly. https://martist1970.com/2025/03/01/facing-fear-dedicated-in-memory-of-james-alan-tater-simpson/
I have always had a problem facing the uncertainty of death. You would think that would push me harder to stay on both a healthy eating and fitness path but it has not. I’ve known quite a number of people who have died too young, a few of which by their own hand.
identity and life journey
- what’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about marriage over the years?
Nothing comes to mind, our marriage is young (12 yrs) even though I’m 55 and she’s 43 now. Just feels like a work in progress. But a bit more challenging because I have Generalized Anxiety & Depression and she has Bipolar 2. Quite a few times, I have had to make the hard decision to have my wife committed into inpatient due to attempted suicide. I suppose communication is key and patience and understanding, we are at times each other’s rock.
- if your blog could leave one lasting impression on visitors, what would you want it to be?
That my sense of humour tickled someones funny bone and turned their frown upside down.
- if you could give advice to your younger self, what would you say?
I’d say seek help my friend. Be it when struggling in school, follow Dad’s advice to talk to a teacher or try to convince your parents that how you feel at times could be a serious issue. Don’t date Alicia because you enjoy the idea of having a girlfriend as opposed to any real feelings, walk away from JoAnn when she tells you she thought you were someone else (trust me this will save you 3 years of the worst emotionally abusive relationship of your life) and lastly when you got chosen for the 2nd test in Chicago of the Assistant Directors Training Program, face your fear of solo traveling and take that test.
fun and personal touch
- you clearly have a soft spot for cats. What first sparked that love?
My brother had a cat named Fluffy, when we were kids but we developed allergies. Later at 13 another cat entered my life and well I don’t know I just love cats. Even got a tattoo on my left arm that is based on my cat painting with Matt the cat in English & Spanish.
- what’s one quirky fact about you that most people don’t know?
For new people who I get to know, even though I get pissed off about being misgendered, I have a fond memory of portraying Francine Fabulass and the Fabulettes with my brother and his husband in a drag fundraiser. https://youtu.be/NGQTFF0TIXo?si=Z2QVa_82P-v5fcf9
That’s a look into me Rojie.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to share my life to your readers.
Matt aka M Snyder
Liberal yet politically unaffiliated
80 % God Fearing Non-Religious man of Faith
Straight & Slightly Bent
Olive Skinned
German/Welsh/Polish/Syrian American Mutt
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