2020 Surf Art Calendar
May
“ICON”
By: Matt Allen
STORY BEHIND THE IMAGE
From the Artist: The icon print was inspired by my pure love of surfing. I carved the linoleum block and brought it with me to Japan to the Greenroom Festival. There I live printed a limited edition of prints at the festival and sold them on sight.
PERSONAL CONNECTION
I’ve admired Matt Allen’s art for many years through my connection with the Surf Music community. When I was the manager of musician Todd Hannigan and partner in Brotheryn Records, the music we promoted was very connected with this scene and I ran across Matt’s art and inspirations consistently. To tie it all together, Matt designed the poster art for the 2020 Beach Life Festival that was set to take place in Redondo Beach and feature musicians that we worked with at Brotheryn. I am very grateful that he was willing to contribute to the 2020 Surf Art Calendar and please check out his Instagram page to see more of his great work!
ARTIST BIO
Southern California artist Matthew Allen is a former Surfer Magazine Art Director who has also 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, pencil, linocut prints, and watercolors. His latest work takes discarded marine canvas and sails, and repurposes them into pieces of art. Matthew began making 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.
www.matthewallenart.com / IG @MattAllen_Art
