Tilteed

Curator’s Statement:

Colorful, fun, and unique character design this time around for the limited series. We rescued this one from oblivion and are passing the awesome on to you. Matt’s been around the illustration world for a while, but is still fairly new to the “fun” side of apparel design, so give him a warm welcome like he deserves.

Hey there, Matt. How’s it going? Mind telling Tilteed a little about yourself?

I was born in Racine, WI on February 28th, 1968. From childhood I always found solace in drawing and painting the images inspired by science-fiction, movies, and comic books. After high school I convinced my parents attending The Milwaukee Institute of Art & design was the smart thing to do. I received a degree in illustration. I now happily co-habitat with my beautiful wife and two children. When I’m not freelance illustrating I enjoy illustrating (yes I’m obsessed), eating good food, cooking, campfires, cocktails, and many others. I am obsessed with stop-motion animation. if I’m not trying to make it! I’m watching something made with it. I enjoy spending time with family, camping, old movies, and tin robots. My Clients include: Edios, Human Head, Telos Publishing, Seattle Sound Magazine, Weekly Reader, Carlton Books, Z-Man Games, GQ Magazine, FHM Magazine, Manhattan Magazine, Volvo.

We understand you’re new to the tee world. What sort of art do you normally do, and what got you interested in doing apparel design?

Actually I’m new to the Cool design side of t-shirts, I worked in the biz for 10 years designing for construction, churches, Joe’s Eats…..etc….begging for something fun!!!, although there was an occasional exciting project.

You create some pretty awesome characters. What inspires you in your character design? What inspires your other work?

I’m inspired by everything! I love how we live in a world were we have so much past media culture to rip ideas from. Art and illustration has really changed since I was in collage and I really love just searching the web looking at other amazing artists. I especially dig old nostalgic stuff and retro illustration. Tin robots, sci-fi, old ads, comic books, pulp covers, Jim Flora, Mark Ryden….just to name a few.

Some of your work seems to be just begging to be a toy line (I can already picture the Robot King combo pack). If someone approached you with that idea, what would you want to see in the product? What would you call them? And for good measure, what was your favorite toy as a kid?

I love the idea!, If someone is up for it call me. I would love to make some of my robots into a toy line although most of them are mundane so I guess you could call the toy line “Mundane Toy Robots”, that’s exciting!!! My favorite toy when I was a kid was Legos and man did I build the robots. I also recall a toy I always wanted that was a puppet of a little mad scientist who had all these disguises, I think it was called “Hugo”.

Besides being an omnipotent ruler, what are some things you hope robots will be able to do in the future?

Make me a wonderful home cooked meal, clean up my clutter…..a old English butler robot would be fantastic like Alfred from “Batman”.

Projects, links, and other exciting things: Anything of this nature you want to promote?

I love “Stumble” it has linked me to some very cool things on the internet, it compiles what you like and just stumbles through it all. I also love Drawn, Mojizu, yayeveryday, etc…....

Any final words for the world?

Yes, do what you like doing and just promote it everywhere, the internet is a awesome tool for self promotion!!!