Triple threat and WHBHS student, Matt Martines is a man of many talents!
He is an artist (a remarkable one, if I may), a DNB step dancer, and has learned how to “pen spin.” Most of you readers out there don’t even know what a “pen spinner” or a “DNB step dancer” is! But get this, he taught himself, via YouTube. “I taught myself with online videos, because I’m a dork like that,” Matt laughs. And his excitement and passion to share with you all is extraordinary.
Pen spinning (see video to the right), has become a sort of addiction for Matt. “It’s the worst habit I have. I do it all the time, whenever I have a pen.” But where’d he get the idea? “I think, ever since that one James Bond movie, there’s that one villain who does it,” he chuckles. He has also noted that though he’s gotten pretty good at it, it isn’t something that he takes extremely seriously, it’s just more of a habit.
“It’s almost a sport in China. They have actual leagues! I’m not that into it, but there are people who are. I do it when I’m bored, or thinking,” he says. “People always want to be taught; it can get a little distracting in class.”
DNB step is a type of dance that involves fast movement of the feet (see video link below). “I came across a tutorial video on accident, tried it, and I was hooked!” Matt was determined, and taught himself through YouTube and a music video titled “Stars Get Down” by Subwave on hospital records.
“A year ago, I tried it and almost broke my leg,” he says. But, he didn’t give up easily. He studied the dance and the music, which is known as “Drum and Bass, DNB, or D&B.” He advises you listen to the “Polygon Dirtyphonics Remix,” and he recommends you keep an open mind.
“I tried teaching Joe Caggiano but he’s giving up. He doesn’t like the music enough to continue,” stated Matt. The coolest thing? He’s got guts! When asked if he would ever consider starting a group, he said, “Yeah, I would, very much so. I would totally perform!”
As if all that isn’t enough, he’s also an incredibly talented artist. He excels in art classes, and has his own website. (visit: www.barnowlzerozero.deviantart.com) He’s inspired by artist Ashley Wood, an oil based painter who creates “steam powered robot looking things.”
His favorite tools to use while drawing or paintings are India ink, brushes, and inkwell. “Inkwells are like a feather thing, you know?” Matt said, “But I don’t actually use a feather.”
When asked about his favorite painting, he pondered deeply and said, “That’s so hard! I can’t pick. I like drawing portraits of girls, I mean, without sounding perverted. I’ll have to get back to you on my favorite.” And, I’m still waiting to hear what it is!
The most captivating detail of his success so far has to be that he’s got stickers that he created from his artwork all over the world! Some of his friends brought them around on vacation and stuck them on subway walls, chairs, etc. He’s got his artwork represented in Canada, Australia, and Italy. However, no passer-by will know it is his work, because there is no proof of his name. It’s more powerful like that though; it leaves to the imagination.
