For the past decade and a half Dorrien pursued a career in music and songwriting, releasing several albums to some critical acclaim. However, the Covid Pandemic in 2020 derailed Dorrien’s burgeoning music career, and soon after he made the decision to pivot careers to his first love of illustration. 

Growing up, Dorrien’s father, who was a carpenter and set artist for the film industry, encouraged his son’s passion for the arts. Dorrien, who showed an inherent talent for illustration and music, was enrolled in some drawing and illustration classes in his teens, and was briefly hired as a caricature artist for an amusement park, but later decided to pursue music instead. 

Matt Dorrien’s illustration style is whimsical, inventive, and familiar, though distinctly Dorrien’s. It pays homage to some of Dorrien’s favorite picture book artists of the past, namely Arnold Lobel, Maurice Sendak, Charles Schultz, and Richard Scarry to name a few. 

Recently Dorrien received a full scholarship to attend the SCBWI Oregon Spring Conference, where he will be showcasing his portfolio. He loves to work primarily with pencil, pen and ink, and watercolor, as well as Photoshop and Procreate for efficiency. Up until now, Dorrien has only worked on private commissions but is hoping to sign with an agency soon and begin working with publishers.