John Matson

John Matson is an Associate Professor at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD). His career in fantasy genre art was influenced by 1970s book cover artwork, sci-fi/fantasy movies of the late 1970s/80s, and Richard Amsel’s Raiders of the Lost Ark poster. After graduating from MIAD in 1994, he contributed hundreds of illustrations to games, magazines, and books while maintaining a freelance career. He teaches illustration courses at MIAD alongside his professional work.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree from Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (1994)

Matson's research focuses on blending traditional and digital illustration techniques for fantasy narratives. His work reflects influences from cinematic storytelling and pulpy sci-fi aesthetics, evident in his contributions to game cards, book covers, and Spock’s Bad Fortunes project. He maintains an active creative practice through freelance commissions and instructional teaching.