TONL x Chromebook: Matthew, Hair Stylist
Meet Matthew Lawrence! Professional Hair Stylist. Hear more about his day in the life as he integrates the Samsung Chromebook Pro
------
As an American-Indian/Alaska Native we grew up on a reservation in northern Washington, very close to Canada called Neah Bay on the Makah reservation. I always dreamed of being in the big city (Seattle). I feel like where we grew up, we didn’t really have access to the technology I needed to excel in graphic design. I finally made my way to Seattle for school initially for graphic design and then started my journey into hair styling. I knew I wanted to work with my hands. I get to express myself by helping people feel beautiful.
My Culture...
Growing up in my tribe, you get kind of a mix; it's a small neighborhood of like 800 people so in school the graduating class is like 22 people..haha! They teach Makah culture in school so I took like basket weaving and cultural art and learned how to make drums and baskets. Our linguistic and cultural group is the only one in the US-the rest are in Canada. There are so many different tribal histories and their experience of colonization. Growing up in Neah Bay, you're so disconnected so we learned our specific culture. I also don't identify as an Urban Indian. People expect us to relate with POW WOWs or tee pees or round dances and we just didn't identify with those things where I grew up. Despite all of these differences, whenever I run into a Native here in the city, it is an instant bond - they feel like family.
Day In the Life...
Ummm..coffee! I get up and turn on music to get my day started. My salon is just a few blocks away so I walk to work. I love the 5 minutes I have walking to work because it is my time to center myself. It's funny because Cedar is a huge thing with our tribe. My apartment is on the corner of 4th & Cedar. I feel home when I am at home [in Neah Bay], but coming here I feel like I am home because I am surrounded by things that remind me of my culture. I split my time between the salon and working from my home. I love my salon because it's nice and beautiful. For friends and family, they usually come to my home salon. On a good day I see about 5-6 clients. I also do a lot of hair projects, most recently "Ancestral Future" with Gabriel-Bello Diaz and "Traditions of Giving" where I made some cedar bark hair pieces like bangs and a ponytail. When I am not doing hair projects I am booking up appointments for the various weddings ahead.
Staying motivated is the main obstacle that I face professionally. My Chromebook has definitely helped me with scheduling, social media, and allows me to keep my creative work organized.
What's Ahead...
I am working on a series of photo shoots highlighting Indigenous Beauty. Collaborating with photographers, makeup artists, and stylists. I am also creating a curriculum to help makeup artists with quick and easy editorial hairstyles to help them build their books.