Catching Up with Shining Wizards Design’s Matt Charlton
Steven Jackson meets Matt Charlton, an artist and wrestling fan who successfully combined his two passions.
Photo: Matt Charlton
Writing for The Wrestling Estate has given me the opportunity to speak with many different people in, and around, the wrestling industry; from wrestlers to promoters, fellow writers to photographers.
The list is endless!
This interview is one I feel very lucky to be able to bring you. Matt Charlton is a fantastic artist and the brains behind the highly celebrated “Shining Wizards Design” brand.
Chronicling professional wrestling in artistic form, Matt has currently authored three books, as well as published countless amazing artistic works on his social media profiles for fans to enjoy.
Our discussion touches on Matt’s artistic inspirations, what drew him to Japanese wrestling, his aims for the future and priceless advice for anyone thinking of taking up art themselves!
STEVEN JACKSON: When did you first become a wrestling fan?
MATT CHARLTON: I remember wrestling always being around. From being very small, there was still World of Sport on TV. And I remember being sucked into the syndicated WCW Worldwide show, which took its time slot, with the larger-than-life Vader and Sting firing up my 9-year-old imagination! But I guess I wouldn’t say I was a real fan until a few years later. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin gave his 3:16 promo when I’d just turned 16, so I was the perfect age for the consequent boom period to hook me for life.
SJ: What struck out to you most about Japanese wrestling?
MC: From the very first moment I became aware of Japanese wrestling, what struck me was how much more legitimate the environment was; from the audiences who actually watched the match and understood the dance, to the wrestling itself. We all break into wrestling fandom the way that most people get into music; we listen to the radio or turn on the TV, then think that what we hear or see is all there is.
Japanese wrestling, from the very first moment, opened my mind to the limitless possibilities of the art form.
SJ: Have you ever travelled to Japan and if so, what was that like?
MC: I’ve been to Japan about eight times. It’s unquestionably my favorite place in the world. I’ve loved every moment of each visit.
SJ: Do you have any favourite matches or moments from Japan that stand out?
MC: That I’ve seen in person or in general? If it’s the latter, then I’m afraid there’s far too many to even begin! It’s a long history of awesome stuff across dozens of promotions. If it’s the former, I’ve been lucky enough to have seen NJPW, AJPW and Big Japan Pro Wrestling, as well as Michinoku Pro and Pro Wrestling 666, along with some amazing moments. But my forever standout moment will always be Minoru Suzuki’s anniversary celebration in Yokohama in 2018. Standing in the pouring rain with my brother (NJPW English commentator and wrestling author Chris Charlton), watching Suzuki and Kazuchika Okada go to a time limit draw. It was one of the best days of my life!
SJ: Did you draw wrestling sketches growing up?
MC: No, not at all actually! It only occurred to me quite recently to combine wrestling with my drawing. I had all my interests and pursuits in their own little boxes. Whenever I tried drawing or painting something, it was in an effort to communicate in that medium. I’m extremely fortunate to have wrestled and run my own promotion. I consider myself lucky to have been able to communicate in that medium too.
SJ: What do you look for when drawing a wrestler or wrestling situation?
MC: That’s a good question! To be honest, I’m not sure I have much of an answer. I’m certainly conscious of sometimes being a source of news. If someone achieves something, like a championship or tournament win for example, they’ll surely be on my radar to draw. Otherwise, I’m just driven by the need to catalogue the vast history of the sport. Thousands upon thousands of people have sacrificed their physical and mental health in the pursuit of their wrestling careers.
All I can do is honor that sacrifice by bringing their name to the attention of a few more people.
SJ: Your work is defined by your black and white style. What appeals to you most about the B/W drawings?
MC: Working with ink on paper there’s a strong focus on craftsmanship. Not my own, just in general. When my pictures come out well, they have a clarity about them, which I fear they would lack if I started playing with colour.
SJ: Who are your main artist inspirations for your work?
MC: Chuck Close and Henry Darger are lifelong inspirations. Certainly, in terms of perseverance and staying true to a vision.
SJ: You’re currently working on the J-Crown series of books. What is it like producing a book chronicling Japanese wrestling in art form?
MC: The J-Crowned series has given my work a much-needed framework. It’s been so good to be able to go into more depth by providing biographies for the images. I’m very happy knowing that I might be keeping someone’s achievements alive. And, in the present tense of writing these books, hopefully providing something for the reader, whatever the depth of knowledge you approach the books with.
SJ: Who have been your favorite wrestlers to draw?
MC: Minoru Suzuki is always fun. The Great Sasuke is always therapeutic. Maki Itoh tends to turn out well most of the time too haha! Although I try to be as mechanical about the process as possible, I guess my favourites tend to come out looking a little better than others.
SJ: Are you surprised by the strong responses you get from industry professionals to your drawings?
MC: To be honest, with all the incredibly talented people showing what they can do across all social media, I’ll always be grateful that anyone gives what I do a second look. Of course, I’m always very happy if the subject of a picture sees it and likes it. The idea behind the pictures is to generate positivity toward the subjects. So as long as they’re doing that, then I’m happy.
SJ: Have you ever suffered from drawing block (similar to writer’s block), and if so, how do you combat this? Do you have hobbies outside of wrestling that help?
MC: Because I’m working constantly; commissions, books and social media drawings, to be honest I can’t afford to suffer from a block as such. It being a daily operation, I have days where it seems nothing goes right. But it has to be salvaged one way or another, before hurtling forward to the next. I long for the day where I am able to take the time every picture requires in order to do everyone justice. But for now, life remains a whirlwind and quality may vary. I kind of hope sometimes that the act of producing a picture with love, and as much focus as I can muster is victory enough. Regardless of the outcome.
Outside of wrestling, I’m very lucky to have an incredible partner and daughter, so whenever possible I enjoy spending time with them. I try to read as widely as possible. I’m passionate about music too! Though I’ll confess to having very little time I might describe as “spare.”
SJ: Do you have any future plans for your work as well as producing your books?
MC: I don’t know. I’ve always bounced from one all-consuming project to the next. I have no doubt there’ll be something new at some point. But for now, the focus is on the J-Crowned series.
The second volume was produced 100% myself. But then, that was followed up quickly with a book done in collaboration with someone else. That is perhaps the direction I’d like to go in more. I always wanted “Shining Wizard Designs” to be a collective. It’d be cool within the next five years or so to have established a regular group of artists, writers, video makers and/or podcasters who’d be happy to work under the name. Just a thought. But it’s a thought I come back to a lot!
SJ: For anyone interested in taking up drawing/art, what is the one piece of advice you can give them?
MC: One piece of advice? The only advice that matters is just do it! Literally everyone can draw; pick up a physical, or digital, pen, pencil or paintbrush and just go! If you enjoy doing it, that should be the only important thing.
Don’t worry about being “good” because there’s always going to be someone better. It’s not a competition. Just focus on finding the medium that allows you to say what you want to say, in a way that you enjoy. And, if you ever find yourself doing something just to create content, then stop doing it!
SJ: Finally, where can people find you on social media and purchase your work?
MC: I post daily on Twitter @shiningwizardds, kind of regularly on Instagram @shiningwizarddesigns and the J-Crowned series of books are out there on Amazon in physical and digital formats.
SJ: Thank you, Matt, for this awesome interview and make sure you all buy the ‘J-Crown’ book series on Amazon!
You can follow The Wrestling Estate on Twitter @thewrestlingest and Steven Jackson @SteJay215
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