When the idea of creating gameday posters began floating around Orlando City HQ last season, in-house graphic designer and local artist Matt Stone was one of the first people to jump on board.
“It was something new and inviting and fit our brand really well,” said Stone. “With the way our community supports local art it was just the perfect fit.”
So Stone took it upon him himself to create the inaugural poster, the now famous “Lionaut”. It was a huge success when it went on sale last season during the LA Galaxy match, and kick-started what would amount to $60,000 in charitable donations to the Orlando City Foundation over the course of the year.
“I’ve never sold something of mine in volume like that,” said Stone. “I love seeing people with the stuff I’ve created. It’s a good feeling.”
So when the Foundation launched the artist series for this year’s poster collection, Stone was one of the first to jump on board. The talented artist will create both posters for the month of April, with his first one debuting this Sunday when the Portland Timbers come to town.
“It’s an image of Kingston chopping down a tree that resembles Timber Joey. It’s kind of slapstick and just taking a little jab at the defending champions. Just showing that the new team on the block isn’t afraid to go out there and give them our best shot.”
Stone described the intricate twelve hour process of creating Sunday’s poster. “A lot of times I’ll do a descending intercross, which is where you find the form of what you’re drawing, and then I’ll do a basic contour by hand. I’ll scan that in and then start working on some of the line work and coloring digitally.”
This poster is available at Sunday's match or online here.
While his next poster hasn’t been revealed, Stone told us that it will be a tribute to an Orlando City fan favorite who will be celebrating a special milestone.
You can find more of Matt Stone’s artwork here.
