A local Fort Worth artist was selected to collaborate with the men’s t-shirt company Psycho Bunny as part of its new Artist Series. The series was created to highlight local artists across the country.
Matt Cliff, an illustrator from Fort Worth, was the third artist selected.
According to NBC, Cliff collaborated with Psycho Bunny to create a line of limited edition t-shirts, which debuted on March 24 in NorthPark Center in Dallas.
“It’s true what they say, artists are the lifeblood of every city,” the Psycho Bunny website states. “The Psycho Bunny Artist Series celebrates local talent, colorful self-expression, and the cities we call home. This ongoing series is set to serve up originality, self-expression, and local pride. For the program’s inaugural year, Psycho Bunny has worked with Mich Miller, an artist with deep ties to Chicago, Jason Naylor, renowned optimist and street artist from NYC, and Matt Cliff, an illustrator and type artist out of Texas, to name a few.”
Matt Cliff told NBC he had heard of the Psycho Bunny brand before they approached him about collaborating. The trademark logo featuring a bunny skull on top of crossbones rang true to Cliff’s illustrative style.
“I’d seen it around,” Cliff said. “They reached out to me, and I did a little more research on what their company was about, and I felt like we mirrored each other as far as our interest in letting people express themselves.”
Matt Cliff first painted a mural inside the Psycho Bunny store in North Park Center. According to NBC, the mural showcases the Psycho Bunny style with a touch of Texas flair.
“The central point of the design is, it’s kind of like a horse, like a horse up on its hind legs, almost Will Rogers style, but the horse’s head is the Psycho Bunny logo,” Cliff said.
Cliff’s art has been featured on the merchandise, posters, and album covers of several musicians. On the Psycho Bunny website, he stated that he wants to create art that inspires future generations.
“Being able to share what is in my head with people makes me happy,” Matt Cliff said. “Whenever I have an idea in my head, I feel the need to share it with others.”
He added that his style is a product of artists he has admired and looked up to throughout his life.
“As time went on, I use all these colors and designs inspired by everything I’ve been surrounded by throughout my life, into what my unique style is today,” Cliff said.
Cliff’s journey as an artist started when he was 15, and he offered to design an album cover for free for the Denton-based band Brave Combo. At 19, Cliff was given his first paying job.
The artist told NBC he is excited to see who will be wearing the new Psycho Bunny design.
“I’m excited to be able to go out and see people wearing my T-shirt, that never gets old,” he said. “Never gets old. Seeing people in the stuff you make. So, super excited about it.”
Each t-shirt design from the artists will only be available for a limited time.