GO Phils!

ugh...my beloved bo sox are finito...but the Phillies have a good place in my heart as well. Here is a sketchbook piece, along with a random illo, that I felt were fitting...



since the Phils are trying to bring in their first World Series victory since 1980...hence the snazzy sideburns, and old school uniform.

Lotsa Stuff

Wow, I haven't posted anything in weeks! Been very busy, so I guess it's a good reason to have missed a few posts. Just finished a stint with Curious Pictures in correlation with Walt Disney Productions on some character designs for a new children's TV show, which I must keep the info under my breath...but, it was quite a thrill! Also did another illo for AirTran Airlines on-flight magazine GO, along with new illustrations below for 2 Magazine in Canada, and Louisville Magazine.


2 Magazine

Louisville Magazine

IF- Memories

Good ol' memories of my younger visits to the brutal concert venues...


DRUM! Magazine 2008

Sorry for the recent lack of posts. Been working on some long term personal projects such as a comic strip, which I just recently sent out to various syndicates...here's hoping. Also did a stint with Curious Pictures, working on character designs for a new TV show on PLAYHOUSE Disney channel. Code of confidentiality at the moment, but trust me...they're looking great.

AirTran Airlines: GO Magazine

New Illustration for AirTran Airlines on flight publication, GO Magazine. It's illustrating the review on the new executive software iDashboard, giving bosses the opportunity to view all company progress in real time.

DRUM! Magazine (blood, loogies, vomit & punchlines)

Here are some new spot illos and a full page I did for DRUM! Magazine's feature on "nightmare gigs". I had to illustrate various testimonials of some of the worst stories as told by the drummers themselves. Totally fun!

The Weekly Dig

New cover illustration I just finished for Boston's the Weekly Dig. It's an illo for their summer issue, where they wanted me to show fun, summer, childish WATER games. I don't know if Super Soakers are still as popular as they were when I was a kid? They can't be forgotten!

**The Cover PDF has a lighter sky, which I actually think works better."





The open top right is for the Weekly Dig header. I was told that I could have the top left occupied where the character will go over part of the header, with the "dig" area open on the right. One of my favorite reasons for doing cover illustrations are because of the art directors creative layouts, incorporating my work into the entire page so well.

Alright WEEKLY DIG, I'm ready for a Red Sox illustration.

What a Write-Up!

Awesome article about me and my work in the new issue of Fuel Magazine, based out of Toronto. Check it out!

Time Out Chicago

Here is a new piece I did for the great folks at Time Out Chicago. It is an illo that goes along with the reviewed spa in Chicago that introduced the idea of receiving a 15 min nap after your massage; (hence the sheep). This was a super rushed job, and I only had a few hours with it...but I'm still very pleased.

Marker, Acrylic, Pen & Ink

ALSO, tomorrow is the opening of my new show in Philadelphia. See below for the gallery statement and info.

"Here we are again, almost midway through the year. We have an
exceptional show this time around with new artist Rich Kelly and
returning guest Matthew Smith...along with our residents Lisa Graf &
Rob Cortez. So grab a glass and put on some weird clothes and we'll
stand around and act cool, at the next art opening at the
Chapterhouse! Wine and cheese, beans and beats. festivities begin
Friday the 9th at 7pm."

chapterhouse cafe & gallery
620 s 9th st.
215-238-2626

Something Different

Here is a different approach to my style, that I tried about a year ago. The piece is showing the evolution of primitive species, varieties, etc., showing an only slight evolution from early antecedent types to the Homo Sapiens that roam the streets today.

Marker, Paper, Paint, Pen & Ink ©2007

The Chapterhouse Gallery: Global Warming

Here is another preview of my upcoming show at the Chapterhouse Gallery in Philadelphia (May 9th - June 30th). It's my attempt at showing the effects of our failing attempt at maintaining the environment...still it's great to see more ecological and environmental goals in todays current lifestyles. 14 x 17" Marker, ink, & acrylic

PRINTS FOR SALE!!

More prints added to the illusauri store! Along with the "goddess of springtime" print, are "The Beatles" and "Robin Hood" prints. For the online store and more info, check it out here
Go on...pretty those walls up.

Los Angeles CityBeat

Here is a new cover illustration I just completed with the wonderful people at the Los Angeles CityBeat. It's an illustration based on the cover story, discussing the growing epidemic of homeless children, throughout the country, but geographically focused on the ruins of Skid Row. Thousands of children are living in these traumatic situations, working through their extremely difficult day to day lives, along with surviving the struggles of attending elementary and middle school. The "No Child Left Behind" campaign is shown to still leaving these kids with close to no assistance, leaving them to fend for themselves...hence the idea of these kids, "missing the boat".

The Illusauri vs. Philadelphia; Round 2

Here is a preview of a new piece for my upcoming show at the Chapterhouse Gallery in Philadelphia, (opening Friday, May 9th). I based it on the horoscope piece I recently did for RIVET Magazine. I wanted to create my interpretation of a "goddess of springtime".

PRINTS OF THIS PIECE ARE AVAILABLE HERE! - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10332930
8 x 9 inches
High-Quality digital print
Matte finish
Signed
Edition of 10
$20

Happy Birthday to my sister.

A birthday card I made for my sister. I thought I would post it, in regards to the fact that I really enjoy how it turned out, and hey...a portfolio piece is a portfolio piece.

Inside Text: "Yelling happy birthday from 214.25 miles away."

*Trying to build up a card greeting portfolio. I'd love to get into that market! Here are some other birthday cards I've done in the past months.



Halloween style birthday card. I forgot what I wrote on the interior, but I really like this character.

Illustration Friday - Heavy

This heavy guy, with a heavy snore, needs some heavy coffee, and then some more.

Time to knock some socks off!

The BRAND SPANKIN NEW matthewsmithillustration.com is up and running after a much needed update. Go, explore, be stunned, enjoy.

St. Louis Magazine

New Illustration I did for the fine people at St. Louis Magazine. It's a full page illo for the featured article discussing the positive impact Wal Mart coming into this Norman Rockwell-ish town. I think I got a little carried away with this one.

From this day on you are Beatles with an A.

Personal piece I did for a friend. We both share a lifelong "membership" to beatlemania, so it was a nice opportunity to approach a project I've always wanted to do. It's goes, George (1968), Paul (1963), Ringo (1965) and John (1967).

When The Illusauri dominated television!

The Doctor Strange piece I did for The "Under The Influence: A tribute to Stan Lee" show at Gallery 1988 in LA was lighting up the background during the on air interview with Jensen, curator of the show on the channel G4, (you know...the channel all about video games and stuff). Just got the news that it sold...so it's time for a celebration.

RIVET Magazine

Illustration I did for the upcoming issue of RIVET Magazine's horoscope section.