My name is Matt Stanton and I am an illustrator and fine artist living in the Chicago area. I am a recent graduate of the American Academy of Art. Ever since I was a child I have always had an affinity for creating art, which I guess is why that I have never stopped. The world around me is fascinating to me and translating what I see into paint has always been one of my greatest and most welcomed challenges. I always strive to create something that will transcend the canvas. I welcome my viewers to make connections to things in their own lives, something that they have seen or imaged or have always wanted to see. Interactivity with the viewer is one of my ultimate goals.

Perhaps the most fascinating thing to me is the human figure. The subtle variations in tone and the interplay of light and shadow, provide a form rarely paralleled in beauty. It allows me to juxtaposition something from the everyday with the fantastic. There is always something new and exciting when you are painting a person. My fascination with the human form has allowed it to become a constant theme in a lot of my artwork. Working with the figure also allows me to work very realistically. My extreme attention to detail grants me the ability to convey exactly what I see to my viewers, making it more accessible to experience my characters and their situations vicariously.

In my free time, when I am not creating art, I can usually be found scouring store shelves looking for the newest PEZ dispensers. My collection has grown to over 800 and it is something that brings me hours of endless enjoyment.

EXHIBITIONS AND SHOWS

Rembrandt Society Art Convention
Springfield, IL - 2005 & 2006

American Academy of Art Student Juried Show.
American Academy of Art -2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

The Art of Democracy
Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, Chicago, IL -2008

Faceless
Harper College, Palatine, IL -2010

HONORS AND AWARDS

Excellence in Painting Award
Streamwood High School -2006

Best of Show in Painting
Rembrandt Society - 2005

First Place in Drawing
Rembrandt Society -2006

First Place in Painting
Rembrand Society -2006

Honorable Mention
American Academy of Art Juried Show -2009

Chosen to represent the AAA in the Society of Illustrators Zankel Scholorship.
American Academy of Art -2009

Cover Artwork for the AAA Open House mailer
American Academy of Art -2010

Commendation Medal
American Academy of Art Juried Illustration show -2010