Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Tomko.
Hi Matt , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been drawn to the natural world. Some of my earliest memories are of exploring outdoors, watching wildlife, and being fascinated by the beauty and individuality of the animals around me. That curiosity eventually grew into a love of drawing and painting, and over time I realized that creating wildlife art was the perfect way to combine my artistic interests with my appreciation for nature.
My path wasn’t a straight line. I earned a degree in mathematics and spent many years building a consulting career while continuing to paint whenever I could. In 2006, I became self-employed, which gave me the flexibility to devote more time to developing my artwork. As my skills grew, so did opportunities to share my work through galleries, exhibitions, commissions, and wildlife organizations.
Today, I’m a full-time artist specializing in realistic wildlife and nature paintings. My goal is to create work that not only captures anatomical accuracy but also tells a story and encourages people to slow down and appreciate the natural world. Whether it’s a familiar backyard bird or a more elusive species, I want each painting to create a sense of connection between the viewer and the animal.
One of the greatest honors of my career has been having my work selected for wildlife conservation and educational projects, including multiple state wildlife calendars and other collaborations that help celebrate and promote our native wildlife. Those opportunities have reinforced what has always motivated me: creating art that inspires people to value and protect the incredible diversity of life around us.
Looking back, every step—from childhood sketchbooks to balancing two careers and eventually building a professional art business—has led to where I am today. I still feel the same excitement each time I begin a new painting, and I’m grateful that I get to share that passion with others through my work.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many artists, I’ve had to balance my passion for painting with the practical realities of earning a living. For many years, I maintained a consulting career while continuing to build my art business, which often meant long days and finding time to paint whenever I could.
Another challenge has been learning that creating good art is only part of being a professional artist. You also have to become a marketer, business owner, photographer, framer, salesperson, and social media manager. Developing those skills has been every bit as important as improving my painting techniques.
Artistically, I’ve always pushed myself to keep learning. Wildlife is an incredibly demanding subject because viewers instinctively know when something feels “off.” Capturing accurate anatomy, believable light, and the personality of an animal requires constant study and attention to detail. Every painting teaches me something new, and I still approach each one as an opportunity to grow.
The challenges have ultimately made the journey more rewarding. Looking back, I’m grateful for each obstacle because it has helped shape both my work and my appreciation for the opportunities I’ve been given.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in realistic wildlife and nature paintings, with a particular focus on capturing both the beauty and the individuality of each animal. While scientific accuracy is extremely important to me, my goal isn’t simply to create a technically correct painting—it’s to create a portrait of a living creature that allows the viewer to feel a connection with it.
Each painting begins with extensive research. I spend a great deal of time studying the anatomy, behavior, habitat, and lighting of the species I’m painting. Whether it’s the structure of a bird’s feathers, the way light filters through a forest, or the expression in an animal’s eyes, I believe these details matter because they help create authenticity.
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is having my work selected for state wildlife calendars. My paintings have been included in the North Carolina Wildlife Calendar nine times and the West Virginia Wildlife Calendar three times, including the upcoming 2027 editions. Those opportunities have been especially meaningful because they allow my artwork to reach thousands of people while celebrating and promoting our native wildlife.
What sets my work apart is the combination of realism, storytelling, and respect for the subject. I want every painting to be anatomically accurate, but I also want it to evoke a feeling—whether that’s wonder, curiosity, nostalgia, or a quiet appreciation for a moment in nature that many people might otherwise overlook. If someone finishes looking at one of my paintings with a greater appreciation for wildlife than they had before, then I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
One project that’s especially close to my heart is a life-sized sculpture named Flossy, the Tooth Fairy Cow. When my dentist opened her new practice, Bull City Smiles in Durham, she commissioned me to create something that would make children smile before they even walked through the door. Together, we came up with the idea of a whimsical Tooth Fairy Cow, complete with wings, a crown, and plenty of personality.
Flossy is quite different from the wildlife paintings I’m best known for, but she reflects another side of who I am as an artist. I enjoy creating pieces that bring people joy and become part of a community. Every time I hear about a child who wanted their picture taken with Flossy or looked forward to seeing her at the dentist’s office, I feel like the project accomplished exactly what it was meant to do.
Whether I’m painting a wild bird, a woodland mammal, or creating something completely unexpected like Flossy, my goal is always the same: to create artwork that makes people stop, smile, and connect with the world around them.
Pricing:
- 14″x18″ – $440
- 16″x20″ – $560
- 18″x24″ – $750
- 24″x30″ – $1,260
- 30″x40″ – $2,100
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.matttomkoart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MattTomko
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattTomkoArtist/
