Meet the Maker: Illustrator Matt Johnson
Matt Johnson is a Cornwall based illustrator who finds inspiration in the natural world and from Cornish landscapes. Inspired by Falmouth's maritime connections and the visiting Tall Ships, Matt helped us create a beautiful homeware range that puts his unique and magical style centre stage.
We caught up with Matt to find out more about his creative process and why he finds Cornwall so alluring.
How did your journey as an illustrator begin?
I copied my dad who painted watercolours in his spare time and handmade cards.
What elements of Cornwall's environment do you find most inspiring, and why?
I really like the contained, enclosed feeling of the bays, coves and estuaries - I am always drawn to spaces like that. I also like the contrasts like the sea and the land or places where gentle and rugged landscapes meet.
Are there any particular seasons, locations, or weather conditions in Cornwall that particularly influence your work?
I've been making lots of illustrations of my favourite places in Penwith this year for a calendar. It's great going back to the same spots, like Carn Galver, again and again, and getting to know them in all different seasons and weather.
Can you talk us through your creative process from inspiration to finished piece?
I always start outdoors, sketching from life, trying to capture the landscape and the wildlife I saw in a particular location and time. I then go back to my studio to complete the finished illustration. I first take my drawings, notes and photos from the location and use them to make a small composition sketch to get the layout right. Then I build up the final piece, usually with a mixture of drawing, painting, collage and digital media.
How did you approach creating the beautiful Falmouth Tall Ships design for National Maritime Museum Cornwall?
I wanted to try and sum up a bit of Falmouth's maritime role in the design as well as make it appealing to museum visitors. The view of the harbour mouth from Pendennis Point is really iconic, where the safety of the harbour meets the English Channel. You feel right out among all the boats arriving and departing and so many famous vessels have passed through. Visually, there's also great foreground with the castle blockhouse and background of the Roseland and St Anthony Lighthouse. I couldn't help but include lots of the wildlife that was there like the bracken and seed heads, and gulls and shags flying past. I completed the design in a very stylised way and in just 3 colours, so it can be easily screen printed on bags and t-shirts.
Explore the homeware range that features Matt's striking illustration, as well as his beautifully illustrated book Red Sails and Pilchards.