Matthew Thomas Skiba discovered his love for the arts at an early age both in music and in painting. His mother made him and his sisters take “at least three years” of piano lessons before they were free to continue piano or switch instruments. Skiba did both, going on to play alto saxophone, drums, bass, and guitar. His love for music only grew as time passed and became a passion, starting various high school rock bands and competing in talent shows.

After a year of design study at Columbia College in Chicago, he quit to form Alkaline Trio who is still an active touring and studio recording act. He also currently plays guitar and sings for blink-182. Other musical side projects have surfaced as have his paintings, the latest of which are here. Painting is something he says he has always done and always will. He now lives with a ghost in Los Angeles.