Matt Grainger, 46, first found his love of art when he was a teenager living in Orford, when he would sit and draw Star Wars figures at home.
When he finished school in 1995, Matt believed that art couldn’t be a career, but without his knowledge his dad had signed him up to attend Priestley College.
It was after his dad died suddenly that Matt found out he had been enrolled and decided that he wanted to pursue a career in art in his memory.
“It was my dad that has sent me on this journey, and it’s just mad what I’ve achieved since then,” he said.
“I thought why not make a career out of it, so that’s what I did.
“You know you can draw, you know you’re creative, but Priestley allowed me to understand art. I had such good teachers at Priestley it was brilliant.”
Matt, who now lives in Woolston, started off as a graphic designer, but decided to combine his passion for music with his talent for art and started his company, Vinyl Soul, in 2016.
“It’s like a tribute to my dad, for him putting me on this journey,” he said.
“It was him that proved that I could do it, he backed me when he wasn’t around anymore.”
Through Vinyl Soul Matt has gone on to create posters for huge names, including Status Quo – which was one of his dad’s favourite bands.
“I would have taken my dad to go and see them, so to work with them all these years later is just amazing,” he said.
“I love working with the bands, don’t get me wrong, but it’s an audience of one for me – it’s basically what would my dad think, and not letting him down.
“He saw something in me, so it’s my way every day of proving that he was right.”
Some of his latest work includes designing tour posters for Paul Weller, who was a member of The Jam.
“I never thought in my wildest dreams when I started that I would be working with my musical hero, so it’s crazy,” he said.
“I’m just a kid from an Orford council estate but I’ve done well, and I know in years to come when I sit down and retire I’ll understand it, but at the minute it’s just moving on to the next thing.”
Matt is currently showing some of his work in Warrington at the Gateway, including the artwork for Paul Weller. It is available to view until Friday, August 16 between 10am to 4pm each weekday.
Looking forward, Matt hopes to one day give back to the next generation through teaching, but until then he has shared an inspiring message to any budding artists in Warrington.
“Kids can do anything. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from. Just follow your passion and believe in what you do and keep going.”
