Real Rad Magazine : Winter 2016

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
MATTHEW GORDAN
SALLACK
AKA
OTTER ILLUSTRATION
“The name Otter Illustration comes from when I was
still in grad school and needed a way to brand my work, my
business. I basically knew I wanted an animal as a mascot
or moniker. So I picked the otter. I relate to otters. They are
my power animal: intelligent, mischievous, good with their
hands, and they form strong social bonds. I never knew how
popular they were before I named my business after them! My
inspiration comes from so many places. Mostly movies, video
games and animals. And food. I get inspired by things that have
sensory stimulation. Bright colors and cheeseburgers, mostly.
The style of my art is called “whimsical surrealism.” I
would say it’s a combination of children’s book art, surrealist
art, and pop art. It’s usually pretty literal and meant to reference
something specific. I like to make people laugh and think about
things in different ways. I have a lot of goals and ambitions for
what I want to do with all my talents. Lately, I have really enjoyed
more about the business side of things, as well as eventplanning
and promoting. In the short term: continue to build the
Otter Illustration brand and reach out to more markets outside
of Denton. In the long term: I want to publish more books, even
have my own publishing company. I want to have art galleries.
Maybe my own brick-and-mortar shop. I also want to be able
to contribute more to the arts community on a local level and
beyond. But first, I’m just trying to hustle so I can pay rent, buy
groceries, and live a little.”
Matthew was born in Tupelo, MS and grew up in
Denton,TX and studied Communication Design at Texas State
University–San Marcos. He graduated with a BFA and moved
to Austin, TX in 2007 then on to California in 2009 where he
studied Fine Art-Illustration at the Academy of Art University
in San Francisco. He then graduated with an MFA and moved
back to Denton in 2012. Currently he is part of the co-op at the
DIME Store and serves on the Board of Directors at the Denton
Community Work. He has shown work at local spots like The
Bearded Monk and Freaks and Geeks. His upcoming project
the WILDlife coloring book, will have a release party in February
at the DIME store. He also organizes the “Arts & Craft Beer
Backyard Market at Eastside” with local vendors (which starts
back up in March), and The “1rst Annual Stout & Shout” event
on January 23 at the Bearded Monk.
To see & purchase work visit THEOTTERSHOP.COM • Follow
him at FACEBOOK.COM/OTTERILLUSTRATION
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