True artists never bow to the demands forced upon them by politics and ideology. The idea that artists need to hide from the world in order to create beauty is repugnant to me. Truth is beauty; even when it is sad or disturbing. I must prospect and dig for my own personal truths, sharing them through my art without giving into convention or politics. That is where the moniker, Spadecaller, originated. Let me always strive to call a spade a spade. This is the beast’s burden and the artists’ - the freedom and challenge that comes with being true to one’s convictions. Copyright: Matthew Schwartz 4.25.2010