Artwork of Matthew Porter

Urban Craft Uprising is coming up soon!

2009-07-08T16:39:00.001-07:00

I am excited that Urban Craft Uprising has decided to do a summer event this year! I was just interviewed by UCU lovely intern the other day. Check it out here!

Cupcakes all this July

2009-07-04T16:15:00.001-07:00

Here are the cupcakes you can get at Trophy all month long.
Vanilla or Chocolate!

Trophy Cupcakes
1815 N. 45th St, Suite 209
Seattle, WA, 98103
www.trophycupcakes.com

Image thanks to Jessie of Cakespy

Upstairs/ Downstairs Show

2009-07-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

A Matthew Porter double header at Bluebottle Art Gallery & Store

Upstairs I am presenting the original art from my new book, "Flowers."
This time it's all about learning our colors.

"Following ABC and Count the Birdies, Flowers is Matthew's third board book. The book, featuring gorgeous flowers in Porter's signature style of funky acrylic and ink paintings on wood, teaches little ones their colors. Unique, vintage, and timeless, the bright colors are sure to make it a favorite of babies and toddlers (and their parents, too)." - Simply Read Books. "Flowers" will be published in the autumn.

Downstairs I will present, "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide" (Part Two)
A seriously rockin' collection of Monkey World portraits. This show features a star studded line up of musical royalty from the past 50 years. Everyone from Adam Ant and Elvis to Slash and Jimmy Page.

Artist Reception: Thurs, June 9th, 5 - 8 pm
Free + open to the public.
In coordination with the Capitol Hill Art Walk

Runs: July 1 - 30, 2009

If you can't make it in person see the full online here

Bluebottle Art Gallery and Store
415 East Pine Street, Seattle, WA, 98122
206.325.1592
Hours: Tues - Sun 12 - 7
Closed Mondays
Always free admission

Monkey Cupcakes You Say?

2009-06-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

I"ll be showcasing "A Bit of This and That" from my entire collection at Trophy Cupcakes this July!

Come to the opening and get free cupcakes with my monkeys on them!!

If you can't make it for the opening there will be monkey cupcakes all month long. Cupcakes with monkeys. Is there any better pairing?

Artist Reception: Wed, July 1st, 6 - 8 pm

Free + open to the public. In coordination with the Wallingford Art Walk

Runs: July 1 - 30, 2009

Trophy Cupcakes
1815 N. 45th St, Suite 209
Seattle, WA, 98103

www.trophycupcakes.com

Sneek Peek

2009-06-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

These are a few of the flower pieces from the next book! Flowers - a colors board book for the kiddies.

These pieces will be in my next show Upstairs/ Downstairs at Bluebottle. If you'd like to see the full series or purchase a piece check out the preview show online.

Sad News

2009-06-25T16:22:00.000-07:00

I just heard very sad news that Michael Jackson passed away today from cardiac arrest. As I mentioned before in my blog he was the very first concert I went to see as a kid and I loved his music. Cheers Michael!

Sneek peek of Creature Feature

2009-06-09T18:11:00.000-07:00

I'd be happy if you could join us in Astoria but I know many of you can't so luckily another option is available. The full show is online!

Check out my work here

and Drake's work here

Creature Feature Exhibition

2009-05-30T12:43:00.000-07:00

Creature Feature is the latest and greatest collection of painting from Seattle based artists Drake Brodahl and myself, Matthew Porter. Creature Feature showcases mythical creatures born of legend and from the artists imagination.

Runs: Sat. Jun 13, 2009 - Fri, Jul 10, 2009
Opening Reception: Sat. June 13th 5 - 9 pm

If out on the coast come visit - it is free and lots of goodies are served!
I'll be there hanging out with Drake and our lovely wives.

Drake Brodahl:
Longest Horn, 5" x 11" cel vinyl acrylic on watercolor paper, 2009

Matthew Porter:
Gnome Fishing, 9" x 9", acrylic paint on wood, 2009

Lunarboy Gallery, Astoria, OR
www.lunarboygallery.com

Banner for Seattle Blog

2009-05-20T12:59:00.001-07:00

Monkey Around Seattle is a new Seattle blog about great indie venues in Seattle. Recommendations from my wife Andrea, as well as several other small business owners. I used the image here to create a banner for the site. I originally created the piece for Drake Brodahl as a trade when he created Bluebottle's site.

Definitely worth checking out as the contributors are really on top of all the newest indie venues popping up in Seattle.

Going to Bazaar Bizarre at Maker Faire?

2009-05-13T12:49:00.000-07:00

If going to this great event be sure to sign up for the raffle - they are going to havce lots of goodies going! I will be including my Monkey World book. Here are a few I liked. I may have to get a few raffle tickets myself!

Bread and Badger's Etched Glassware

My Imaginary Boyfriend's Pillows

Danielleorama's Plushie Owl

Celebrate Children's Book Week!

2009-05-10T14:32:00.000-07:00

As a children's book illustartor and author I thought I would metion that this upcoming week is children's book week.

The 90th annual observance of Children's Book Week will be May 11-17, 2009. A celebration of the written word, Children's Book Week introduces young people to new authors and ideas in schools, libraries, homes, and bookstores. Through Children's Book Week, Every Child a Reader (the CBC Foundation) encourages young people and their caregivers to discover the complexity of the world beyond their own experience through books.

Celebrate children's book week by reading a few extra books to the kids or make a special trip out with the kiddies and let them pick a book of their choice to celebrate!

More ideas for the week at: www.bookweekonline.com

Free Desktop Download

2009-05-03T15:00:00.000-07:00

Each month Bluebottle is offering an image from the current exhibition as a free downloadable desktop! You can select a desktop that includes a monthly calendar or just the artwork. Bluebottle will also feature a few of my desktops on a regular basis. The first one is the DJ monkey!

To download this desktop + bookmark the page for future reference go HERE

Last days to see Rock'N Roll Suicide

2009-04-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

Tommorrow will be the last day to see my Rock 'N' Roll Suicide Show in person until part two opens in July at Bluebottle.

Anyone you'd like to see me create for part two?

5" x 5" print, matted to 8" x 10" $20.00
If interested in purchasing the print get it
HERE

Interview on Maker Faire Blog

2009-04-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

I am gearing up for Maker Faire and getting lots of product together. Andrea just dropped off tshirts and bags today at the silkscreeners. Yesterday we found a great set up we can use for table display at Goodwill. And just as good as getting product ready is promotion. Bazaar Bizarre the folks behind the craft section at Maker Faire have posted an interview about me on their blog. A few new bits about me that I haven't talked about before I think!
Go check it out

ABC book featured in Cookie Magazine

2009-04-25T14:08:00.000-07:00

My ABC book is featured this month in Cookie Magazine! I am really proud to be presented along side legendary illustrators such as Eric Carle and Charley Harper.

You can see my spread of S is for Swallow and T is for Tiger in the lower right hand corner.

"13. A straightforward ABC book - but the 26 wide-eyed critters on these pages are uncommonly adorable."

My very first concert

2009-04-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

I went to go see Michael on his Thriller tour at Wimbley Stadium with my sister. I had to get out of school for the day - it was pretty amazing!

5" x 5" print, matted to 8" x 10" $20.00
If interested in purchasing the print get it
HERE

9" x 9", acrylic paint on wood original, $140.00
If you'd like to purchase either original you can contact me at hello@matthewporterart.com

THE BIG WALL GRAPHICS ART SHOW

2009-04-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

I am happy to announce I will be showing my ABC and Monkey World series with Start Moving Pictures as giant respositionable wall art (it's almost like a giant sticker but it can be removed and won't damage your walls)!

The exhibition will be held on May 8th at the Hotel des Arts in the French Quarter of San Francisco. It will feature repositional wall art from premier emerging artists + designers from around the world. Start Moving Pictures is extending the concept of the original painted rooms at the Hotel des Arts, and is creating an entire collection of big wall graphics in an exciting new medium. And every piece of art in this show will be available for less than $70!

If you aren't in San Francisco no fear the pieces can be purchased online through Start Moving Pictures.

The Monkey set includes the monkey dj, pirate, drummer, punk, mototrcycle daredevil, gangster as welll as two scene originally from my monkey world calendar. Buy the set here for only $69!

This is also an amazing opportunity to get the full ABC set for only $69!
Check it out here

Sid Vicious

2009-04-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

5" x 5" print, matted to 8" x 10" $20.00
If interested in purchasing the print get it
HERE

9" x 9", acrylic paint on wood original, $140.00
If you'd like to purchase either original you can contact me at hello@matthewporterart.com

Monkey World at the Mall

2009-04-19T12:34:00.000-07:00

I am happy to announce that Monkey World clothing, prints and books are now featured at Bump in Bellevue Square. This is the second location for Bump. I have been showcasing my work with Bump/Pop Tots for several years now at their location on Roosevelt in the University District of Seattle. I am excited that monkey world has made the jump across the lake to Bellevue!

My New Monkey World Belts

2009-04-18T13:50:00.000-07:00

Getting into Makers Fair has totally motivated us to start working on some new product. In the past we had done some belts and we thought we'd refine them and give them another go.

Greg from Miles to Go Belts sent us photos the other day. I have to say I think they are looking pretty amazing!

We should hopefully get the shipment within the next week or so. If we have any leftovers after the fair we'll sell them at Bluebottle and on my etsy site!

better yet come to Makers Fair and check them out in person!

Guess

2009-04-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

So this might be a hard one for some but easy for others.
Q: Do you know who it is?

A: Jimmy Page

5" x 5" print, matted to 8" x 10" $20.00
If interested in purchasing the print get it
HERE

Guns N' Roses

2009-04-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

One of my first concerts!!

5" x 5" print, matted to 8" x 10" $20.00
If interested in purchasing the print get it
HERE

9" x 9", acrylic paint on wood original, $140.00 each

If you'd like to purchase the original(s) you can contact me at hello@matthewporterart.com

Best Designed Books of 2008

2009-04-12T12:19:00.000-07:00

My Monkey World book has receieved it's first award! The most exciting part is that it will also compete in the biggest book-design competition in the world, in Leipzig, Germany, in February 2010.

The Alcuim Society selected Monkey World as it's third prize winner for best designed children's book of 2008.

Here is a bit from the press release:
The Alcuin Society has announced the winners of its 27th annual Awards for Excellence in Book Design in Canada. The judges, Frank Newfeld, Alan Stein, and E.A. Hobart (Zab), selected 32 winning titles from 233 entries, 7 provinces, and 89 publishers.

"Designers, illustrators, typographers, printers, writers and publishers have collaborated to bring together words, images, type, paper and binding, to express themselves in these works of art," commented Leah Gordon, Alcuin Society Board member and Design Competition Committee Chair. "All the entries demonstrate that there's nothing like the look and feel of a well-designed book."

The winning books will be shown across Canada and exhibited at the Tokyo International Book Fair in Japan, and the Frankfurt and Leipzig International Book Fairs. They will compete in the biggest annual book-design competition in the world, in Leipzig, Germany, in February 2010.

CHILDREN:
Third prize: ROBIN MITCHELL (HUNDREDS & THOUSANDS DESIGN INC.), designer of Monkey World : an A-Z of Occupations, by Matthew Porter (Simply Read Books)

The Alcuin Society is a Vancouver-based not-for-profit society for the support and appreciation of fine books. In addition to the annual Book Design Competition, the Society publishes a quarterly journal, Amphora, and organizes lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and field visits on various aspects of the book.

Facebook

2009-04-11T13:17:00.001-07:00

I just started a Facebook page! I would love if you joined me as a friend

San Francisco Suggestions

2009-04-11T12:43:00.000-07:00

I am going to be heading out to San Francisco at the end of May to showcase my work at the Maker Faire and we plan to spend a few days before and after in San Francisco and I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of cute, hip little shops or galleries we might check out? I'd love to get my work into spaces down there but have not been there in about 7 years.

Had to include this image although it is now 6 years old and definitely was not professionally photographed!