Born under the Arkansas sun into a generational Dutch household, his grandmother’s garden was his playground. His ancestors tilled the fertile soil with their hands whispering secrets from the earth before him.

Inheriting this legacy, Matthew learned the language of flowers. In 2018, he established his Peony Farm ‘Valley Peony’ in Alexander, NY, continuing his family’s rich Dutch agricultural heritage. However, Matthew’s spirit held a different rhythm. While his calloused hands mastered the art of cultivation and floriculture, his soul yearned for a canvas beyond the fields. He dreamt of weaving floral narratives, not just nurturing blooms.

Matthew moved to NYC, in August of 2022, to partner with ‘Flower School New York’ to further his floral mastery. Under the world’s most renowned florists, he’s learned to dance in masterful floristry, the choreography of color and texture. Devouring the city's creative energy, soaking in the artistry of museums and the whimsicality of street performances, his floral works aren’t just arrangements or installations; they were stories whispered in petals and emotions painted with blooms.

A true peddler of emotion.