About Us

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 Polaroid emulsion lifts, pen and ink, pencil, linocut prints, acrylic paint, and watercolors. 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.

Contact
For art, design work or other inquires please contact me directly.
 
Matthew Allen
Costa Mesa, CA
P: 949.735.8583
E: matt@mattallen.com
Instagram: mattallen_art

If you would like to join a mailing list to receive updates when new things are happening in my world please send me an email and I'll put you on the list. Thanks!

Honors & Awards:

2026 - Art residency Thalia Surf - Laguna Beach, CA
2025 - "Kook" Solo Art Show - OCN Culture - San Anselmo, CA
2025 -  "Offerings" Group Art Show - Folklore Santa Fe, NM
2025 - Feature Article Scout Motors Blog
2025 - Guest - Salt + Stories Podcast
2025 - Guest - A Life of Creation Podcast
2025 - Featured Artist SIMA Watermans Ball
2025 - Featured Artist at The Greenroom Festival in Yokohama, Japan
2024 - Artist Featured in Waves and Woods Magazine
2024 - Cover Photo and Artist Feature in Pacific Longboarder Magazine
2024 - Featured Artist SIMA Watermans Ball
2024 - "Surf Object" Solo Art Show at Daydream Surf Shop
2023 - "You Are Right Where You Belong" Solo Art Show at Daydream Surf Shop
2023 - Blue Magazine Messages from 100 Surfers Feature
2023 - Art Installation collab with Mananalu and art show at The Twin Fin Waikiki, HI
2023 - Featured Artist SIMA Watermans Ball
2023 - Solo Art Show at Greenroom Gallery, Haleiwa, HI
2023 - Featured Artist at The Greenroom Festival in Yokohama, Japan
2022 - Featured Artist Surfrider Foundation Auction
2022 - Featured Photography "Midlength" Article Blue Magazine
2022 - Art Installation May Martin, Costa Mesa, CA
2022 - "High Line" Solo Art Show at Thalia Surf, Laguna Beach, CA
2022 - Featured Artist at The Greenroom Festival in Yokohama, Japan
2021 - Solo Art Show - at Willbo, Laguna Beach, CA
2021 - Featured Artist - Coast Film Festival, Laguna Beach, CA
2021 - Featured Artist - Art By The Sea Gallery - South Korea
2020 - Art Installation Zebrahouse Coffee, San Clemente, CA
2020 - Featured Artist - Coast Film Festival, Laguna Beach, CA
2020 - Art Installation The Soul Project, Laguna Beach, CA
2020 - Guest - The Road Less Traveled Podcast
2020 - Collaboration with Journeux
2020 - Art Installation Seabird Kitchen, Costa Mesa, CA
2020 - Featured Artist "Art of Epilepsy" Newport Beach, CA
2019 - Art Installation Huit, Laguna Beach, CA
2019 - Featured Artist - The Sawdust Festival, Laguna Beach, CA
2019 - Featured Artist at The Greenroom Festival in Yokohama, Japan
2019 - Art Pop up at Inspiration LA. Los Angeles
2019 - Art appears on "Man with a Plan" Super Bowl commercial
2018 - "Fair Winds and Following Seas" Art Show at Greenroom Gallery Hawaii
2018 - Featured Artist at The Greenroom Festival in Yokohama, Japan
2018 - "Party Wave" Art Show with Jonas Claesson at Greenroom Gallery Yokohama
2018 - T-shirt Collab with Global Brand Uniqlo
2018 - Feature in Sunset Magazine for "Count Your Blessings Mural"
2017 - Featured Artist at Noosa Surf Film Festival Art Show
2017 - Feature Article "Artists in Amami" Blue Magazine
2017 - Featured Artist at The Greenroom Festival in Yokohama, Japan
2016 - Cover Art for Greenroom Beach Culture Magazine
2016 - Feature Article Blue Magazine for Matthew Allen x Lightening Bolt Collaboration
2016 - Featured Artist at The Greenroom Festival in Yokohama, Japan
2015 - Art Installation at Aloha Superette, Kailua, HI
2015 - "Aloha" Art Show at Greenroom Gallery, Waikiki, HI
2015 - "Aloha" Art Show at Greenroom Gallery, Haleiwa, HI
2015 - "Echoes Above The Sea" Art Show at Sawyer Land & Sea, Santa Cruz, CA
2015 - Interview and Art Show Coverage - Sandy Magazine
2015 - Interview and Portfolio - SurfCareers.com
2015 - 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
2015 - Featured Artist at The Greenroom Festival in Yokohama, Japan
2015 - Matthew Allen x Lightning Bolt Collaboration Launch Show at Ciaopanic in Tokyo, Japan
2015 - Featured Artist at The Showcase 100, The Framers Gallery London, UK
2014 - Collab with Vans Japan and ABC Stores 
2014 - HOW Magazine "Behind The Design: Popping Type" article featuring my work for Crate and Barrel
2014 - Solo Art Show "My California" at Ron Herman, Sendagaya, Japan
2014 - Featured Artist at The Greenroom Festival in Yokohama, Japan
2014 - Solo Art Show "Water Ways" at the Greenroom Gallery, Shibuya, Japan
2014 - Artist Profile Blue Magazine
2014 - Photo Feature Blue Magazine
2013 - Featured Artist at The Greenroom Festival in Yokohama, Japan
2013 - Featured Artist at The Waterman's Ball
2013 - Featured Artist at California Gold Art Exhibit
2013 - Artist Profile Nalu Magazine
2013 - Interview and Portfolio - Edition 29 Magazine
2013 - Artist Profile - On The Board Magazine
2013 - Artist Profile and Portfolio - TheInertia.com
2012 - Featured Artist - Blue Magazine
2011 - Artist Profile and Portfolio - Blue Magazine
2011 - Interview and Portfolio - The Magic Bus
2010 - Interview and Portfolio - BestSurfBlogs.com
2010 - Interview and Portfolio - Liquid Salt Magazine
2010 - Artist Profile and Portfolio - TheInertia.com

Clients Include:
Ford Motor Company
UNIQLO
Freaks Store
Surfer Magazine
Anaheim Ducks
Pottery Barn
Bon Appetit
Crate And Barrel
Lightning Bolt
72AndSunny
Conde Naste
Swell.com
Clorox
Red Digital Cinema
Harper Collins
Ron Herman
The Greenroom
Champion
Food And Wine Magazine
Harlequin
Converse
OnStar
Love& Magazine
Islands Restaurant
Georgia Tech
The Washingtonian
Thalia Surf
DDB
LiveStrong
Campbell - Ewald
Orange Coast Magazine
Pavilion Books
Brine & Byway
Ghost Robot
The Ryde
Andrew McMahon
Jack's Mannequin
Something Corporate
Hour Detroit Magazine
Mountain Hardwear
Split
Independent Trading Co.
Workman Publishing
Icebreakers
Deckers
Teva
Jedidiah
Simple Shoes
Concepcion Studios
The Authorites
Foodland Ontario
Boarding For Breast Cancer
Bravado International Group
Sanctuary Group
Sherwood
Sacred Craft
Swanson
Brand Image
CoreShops Direct
Trans Surf
Uncovet
Fab
Tidy
Palmer Cash
Hotel Current
First Descents
PB Teen

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