Southern California artist Matthew Allen is a former Surfer Magazine Art Director who has moonlighted as a clothing designer and photographer. Much of his fine art and photography revolves around beach and surf culture. Matthew works in a variety of mediums including pen and ink, linocut prints, and watercolors. His latest work takes discarded marine canvas and sails, and repurposes them into pieces of art.
Matthew began marketing art in high school after suffering a seizure while surfing in Hawaii. Ordered out of the water for over a year he used the down time to foster his creative gifts. Matthew’s work is inspired by quiet moments at sea, the joy of surfing, the tools of the trade, and the characters who enjoy the pastime. When he’s not making art, or traveling the world showing his art, Matthew can be found in the water surfing, tooling around on his guitar, working with foster kids, or doting on his niece and nephews.
Honors & Awards
2019
– Featured Artist at The Greenroom Festival in Yokohama, Japan
– Art Pop-Upa† Inspiration LA in Los Angeles, CA
– Art appears on “Man with a Plan” Super Bowl commercial
2018
– Art Pop-Up at West Coast Craft Winter Show in San Francisco, CA
– Art Pop-Up at Renegade Craft in Los Angeles, CA
– Art Pop-Up at Unique Markets in Los Angeles, CA
– “Fair Winds and Following Seas” Art Show at Greenroom Gallery in Yokohama, Japan
– Art Pop-Up at West Coast Craft Summer Show in San Francisco, CA
– Featured Artist at The Greenroom Festival in Yokohama, Japan
– “Party Wave” Art Show with Jonas Claesson at Greenroom Gallery in Yokohama, Japan
– T-shirt Collab with Global Brand Uniqlo
– Feature in Sunset Magazine for “Count Your Blessings Mural”
2016
– Featured Artist at The Waterman’s Ball
– Featured Artist at The Greenroom Festival in Yokohama, Japan
– Feature Article Blue Magazine for Matthew Allen x Lightening Bolt Collaboration
2015
– Art Installation at Aloha Superette, Kailua, HI
– “Aloha” Art Show at Greenroom Gallery, Waikiki, HI
– “Aloha” Art Show at Greenroom Gallery, Haleiwa, HI
– “Echoes Above The Sea” Art Show at Sawyer Land & Sea, Santa Cruz, CA
– Interview and Art Show Coverage – Sandy Magazine
– Interview and Portfolio – SurfCareers.com
– Artist Profile “Essential Possessions” Greenroom New Beach Culture Guide 2015
– Solo Art Show Matthew Allen x Lightning Bolt x Greenroom at the Greenroom Gallery, Kamakura, Japan
– Featured Artist at The Greenroom Festival in Yokohama, Japan
– Matthew Allen x Lightning Bolt Collaboration Launch Show at Ciaopanic in Tokyo, Japan
– Featured Artist at The Showcase 100, The Framers Gallery London, UK
2014
– HOW Magazine “Behind The Design: Popping Type” article featuring my work for Crate and Barrel
– Solo Art Show “My California” at Ron Herman, Sendagaya, Japan
– Featured Artist at The Greenroom Festival in Yokohama, Japan
– Solo Art Show “Water Ways” at the Greenroom Gallery, Shibuya, Japan
– Artist Profile Blue Magazine
– Photo Feature Blue Magazine
2013
– Featured Artist at The Greenroom Festival in Yokohama, Japan
– Featured Artist at The Waterman’s Ball
– Featured Artist at California Gold Art Exhibit
– Artist Profile Nalu Magazine
– Interview and Portfolio – Edition 29 Magazine
– Artist Profile – On The Board Magazine
– Artist Profile and Portfolio – TheInertia.com
2012
– Featured Artist – Blue Magazine
2011
– Artist Profile and Portfolio – Blue Magazine
– Interview and Portfolio – The Magic Bus
2010
– Interview and Portfolio – BestSurfBlogs.com
– Interview and Portfolio – Liquid Salt Magazine
– Artist Profile and Portfolio – TheInertia.com
Clients
Ford Motor Company, Surfer Magazine, Anaheim Ducks, Pottery Barn, Bon Appetit, Crate And Barrel, Lightning, Bolt, 72AndSunny, Verve Coffee Roasters, Conde Naste, Swell.com, Clorox, Red Digital Cinema, Harper Collins, 10 Speed Press, Ron Herman, The Greenroom, Champion, Food And Wine Magazine, Harlequin, Converse, Alexia, OnStar, Love & Magazine, Islands Restaurant, Georgia Tech, The Washingtonian, Thalia Surf, DDB, LiveStrong, Campbell – Ewald, Orange Coast Magazine, Ghost Robot, The Ryde, Andrew McMahon, Jack’s Mannequin, Something Corporate, Hour Detroit Magazine, Mountain Hardwear, Icebreakers, Teva, Simple Shoes, Foodland Ontario, Boarding For Breast Cancer, Swanson, Brand Image, Uncovet, Fab, Palmer Cash, First, Descents, PB Teen
Please contact us to learn more about Matt Allen.
Wholesale Sales
+1 (808) 536-8660
Sales@BlackSandPublishing.com