Founder Background and Company History

Who is Matt Krivicke?

Matt Krivicke is the owner of KnightHorse, LLC. He has been a commercial artist and professional sculptor for 15 years. Matt K. graduated top of his class from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 1993 and was immediately hired by a Halloween costume manufacturer to found a sculpting division in San Diego, California. Matt has extensive background in manufacturing, licensing, sculpting, all levels of mold making, as well as extensive experience with all types of materials.

Matt K. possesses a unique set of special skills and is able to design, develop, create, build, finish and mass manufacture commercial products from the size of a quarter to more than life size. His talents range from beauty products to toys, household items to fine art, realistic representations of people and animals to complete fantasy or horror design. Matt K. has strong long-term connections to major motion picture companies as well as many support industries and licensors.

Shown to the left is an original sculpture of Poseidon poured in bronze. This sculpture was completed through every step by Matt K. personally, from original sculpt to mold making to the metal patina. A limited edition of signed, cast resin copies of Poseidon is available by special request.

What is Matt K’s background?

His position out of college was an experiment for the company that hired him. The company was not sure that this type of development would pay off so they hired    Matt K. and one other artist right out of college to head up a new sculpting department and see if it would be profitable. In the following 7 years his department grew from a 2 person staff to a full time staff of 10 people. In the time that Matt K. worked there he went from a founding staff level employee to department manager.

During Matt K’s employment he hired Matt McMullen, the future owner of RealDoll as an entry level support technician. For 5 years Matt K. trained McMullen in sculpting and mold making. When McMullen sold the first RealDoll in 1996, he enlisted the help and guidance of Matt K. to construct the first doll molds. During the course of the history of RealDoll McMullen has routinely approached Matt K. for assistance and guidance. Over the years Matt K. has done sculpting development as well as mold making and other services for Abyss.

In 1999 Matt K. was offered a position with a competing costume manufacturer in a new facility in San Diego. This was another start-up division looking to Matt K. to head up the sculpting development. This company is the largest costume manufacturer in the world with production facilities in many countries but only one sculpting studio, in San Diego, where high end as well as licensed goods would be developed. From 1999 to 2006 Matt K. was the lead sculptor and manager of his department and the creative liaison to many mainstream licensors. He worked closely with creative teams to develop licensed product for mass manufacture. He also worked closely with a production facility in Tijuana and helped introduce new methods of manufacture and mold making and finishing techniques. Matt’s outstanding craftsmanship, integrity, professionalism, and attention to detail made him an invaluable asset to this company. Many of the relationships that he made during that time have been maintained and continue to flourish.

In late 2005 Matt K. was again approached by McMullen and after many months of negotiations elected to accept the offer to run Abyss Creations, maker of the RealDoll. In June 2006, Matt K. started his position as CEO and Creative Director for Abyss. During his time at Abyss, Matt K. made changes to the employee base, retrained existing employees, introduced new product, and set higher standards for quality control and product presentation. He also focused employees on sourcing products to get the best possible prices while maintaining and even improving quality. Matt K. was also the face of the company in any media opportunities during 2006 and 2007. It was his objective to make the company more visible in mainstream culture as well as reducing the stigma of doll ownership.

In May 2008 his position with Abyss Creations ended. After a few months of uncertainty Matt K. decided to develop his freelance company, KnightHorse. KnightHorse was formed as an LLC in mid 2008. Through the KnightHorse companies, Matt K. is able to focus his desire to work with the best team and create the highest quality products available as well as pushing the silicone doll market into new areas.

Why should I buy from KnightHorse?

Throughout his career Matt K has consistently maintained good relationships with his business contacts. He has a large database of trusted sources he can approach for special projects and assistance. Matt K also has an extremely rare set of skills which are necessary for success in the industries he has been a part of, including the silicone doll industry. Matt K has strong awareness of new market potential for this type of product and is actively pursuing ways to push dolls into mainstream awareness for use in new markets. All of Matt’s background has instilled in him an undying attention to detail, quest for quality, and awareness of client needs. The client’s best interests drive every decision Matt makes and every directive he gives in his businesses.