Matthew Matott was born in upstate New York. He developed a love for art and drawing early in life and spent his youth exploring, developing, and refining his skills using multiple different styles and mediums.  His passion for art and interest in working with children led him to pursue a career as an art educator. While at college, Matthew focused primarily on oil painting and the techniques of Baroque and Renaissance artists. In 2010 he obtained a B.F.A. from Sage College of Albany. Matthew graduated summa cum laude from Sage Graduate College and obtained his M.A. in art education in 2012. He spent a brief time teaching elementary art. Matthew and his wife Heather enthusiastically welcomed their daughter into their family late in 2013 and their son in 2017.  Through his children, he began to realize that being a kid can be tough and the world can sometimes be a big scary place. The physical, mental, social, and emotional demands of growing up can sometimes feel overwhelming. Children need a safe space to find happiness and feel calm; for Matthew’s children, that place was their nightly story time routine. Matthew focused his artistic endeavors towards the goal of sharing joy through art created for children. His style has evolved to embrace a clean and simple design that mimics the unpretentious characteristics of childhood drawing sensibilities while incorporating traditional painting techniques. His playful nature and refusal to take himself too seriously can be seen in his silly characters, lighthearted visual narratives, and absurd situations. Matthew endeavors to share joy, calm, and humor through his art. He hopes that his art can provide a safe space where the troubles of the day fade away for both child and parent alike.