Portland illustrator Matt working in his studio, surrounded by vibrant children's story illustrations.

Portland Illustrator Matt Schu Brings Children’s Stories to Life with Rich Visual Narratives

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Written by John Oliver

2026-08-26

Matt Schu is a talented children’s book illustrator and fine artist based in the creative hub of Portland, Oregon. Known as a Portland-based illustrator, his career is guided by Chad W. Beckerman at The CAT Agency, specializing in book illustrations.

Creative Journey of Portland Illustrator Matt

Schu honed his skills at the University of Oregon, where he studied art and design. His journey took him through roles as a graphic designer and editorial illustrator before he found his passion in book illustration and fine art around 2018. Since then, he has built his portfolio with a variety of captivating picture and chapter books.

His impressive body of work includes titles such as “Cut! How Lotte Reiniger and a Pair of Scissors Revolutionized Animation,” “My Cat Does Ballet,” and the “Cosmic Collisions” series with Dr. Marc Kuchner. Other notable works from Schu include “Star and the Maestro,” “I Know the Whale,” “The Tontine Caper,” and “The Islands of Elsewhere,” with “Backpack Boy Berlin” soon to be added to this list.

Schu’s skillful narratives bring children’s tales to life, reminiscent of how French artist uses Disney for art to communicate vital themes.

Matt Schu’s illustrations for “Cut!” particularly stand out, earning a starred review from The Horn Book. The review commended him for his “exquisite digital illustrations” for their depth and luminosity, capturing a tactile quality reminiscent of paper, paying homage to animation pioneer Lotte Reiniger.

With the art of storytelling through illustrations, discover how vivid blooms inspire vibrant illustrations in enchanting artworks.

For more of his work, visit his Instagram page.

Art supplies and sketches scattered on a wooden desk.
Artist's hand painting a colorful woodland scene on canvas.
Detailed illustration of a forest with various animals.
Boy and girl reading a book under a tree.
Mixed media art piece featuring a whimsical landscape.
Studio interiors with multiple colorful paintings on the walls.
Close-up of an open sketchbook with various character designs.
Artist drawing a character at a digital workstation.
Illustration of a joyful animal parade in nature.
Color palette and painting brushes on a messy table.
Storybook spread showing a day in a magical forest.
Young artist sketching with focus and creativity.
Detailed cityscape illustration with fantastical elements.
Children's book cover featuring an adventurous scene.
Illustrator adding finishing touches to a character design.
Artist's workspace filled with colorful illustrations and tools.
Vibrant painting of a cheerful animal party in a forest.
Children interacting with large illustrated cut-outs.
A close-up of vibrant, detailed children's book illustrations.
Artist focusing on detailed painting with a small brush.
Digital illustration showing a whimsical underwater scene.
An artist drafting a concept on a large sketchpad.
Creative studio setup showcasing ongoing illustration projects.
Close-up of hands blending pastels on colorful art piece.
Illustration of children playing in a dreamy, lush garden.
Desk cluttered with paints, brushes, and sketches.
Finished artwork showing joyful characters in an animated setting.
Illustrator reviewing character sketches on a drawing board.
Children's illustration showing a colorful, playful scene.

Source: designyoutrust.com

Frequently asked questions

Who is Matt Schu?

Matt Schu is a talented children’s book illustrator and fine artist based in Portland, Oregon. His career is guided by Chad W. Beckerman at The CAT Agency.

What notable works has Matt Schu illustrated?

Matt Schu’s impressive body of work includes titles such as ‘Cut! How Lotte Reiniger and a Pair of Scissors Revolutionized Animation,’ ‘My Cat Does Ballet,’ ‘The Cosmic Collisions’ series, ‘Star and the Maestro,’ ‘I Know the Whale,’ ‘The Tontine Caper,’ and ‘The Islands of Elsewhere.’

Where did Matt Schu study art and design?

Matt Schu honed his skills at the University of Oregon, where he studied art and design.