Matthew Innis

After attending a university art school, where I was almost entierly self-taught in the practices of drawing and painting, I went on to enjoy a commercial career in the arts. I created bookcover art for several publishers in NYC, art for several collectible card gaming companies, CD covers, and interior book art. I also sculpted action figures and accessories for toy companies, and created costume prototypes for several toy lines. After leaving the commercial field, I have concentrated on portraiture and fine art.
Since college, I have had the opportunity to study and grow under some very talented artists and teachers. I was very lucky to have had the illustrators Daniel Horne and Eric Peterson act as my mentors early on, for without them, I don't think I would have experienced much success at all in illustration. Dan is the "larger than life'" type like N.C. Wyeth, who lives his paintings, and tries to pour his love into them. Eric is the "artist's artist" whose knowledge of art, art making, and the world in general, is phenomenal. I thank them for every thing they gave to me.
Other artists with whom I was fortunate to have studied include Anthony Ryder, Juan Martinez, Jeremy Lipking, and Marvin Mattelson. All of them have been great teachers and inspirations, but I thank Marvin most of all for the recent growth I have seen in my own art. His ability to communicate his knowledge of painting to students is, in my mind, unsurpassed.
Currently, I live and work in New Jersey, just a few short miles from where I grew up. My beautiful wife of nearly thirteen years, Jennifer, and I recently had our first child, Kieran Noah. We share our crowded house with two cocker spaniels, and a quantity of cats so obscene, that most therapists would have us immediately committed if they were to know the true number.
Cheers!