Mattie sculpts, paints, and fires his works in a large, well organized studio nestled in the forested foothill region of Santa Cruz County known as Bonny Dune.  Upon arrival the visitor is greeted by the unassuming facade and loading platform of the studio, a rambling wooden outbuilding that disguises the treasure within and the artistic wonderland beyond.  Entering the studio is the beginning of a surreal journey into Mattie’s world. 

The first, and one of the most impressive features encountered is the kiln, an elegantly constructed brick structure capable of firing works up to 6 feet tall. In front of the kiln, set in the middle of a poured concrete work area, is a sliding platform mounted on steel rollers and faced with firing brick, which facilitates inserting large works into the kiln.  An ample walk-in interior, and a huge swinging door allow for the handling and firing of the ambitiously scaled works Mattie creates. 

The kiln area is surrounded by nooks and crannies filled by ceramics in various stages of completion. The mood is completed by a rugged exposed beam ceiling, and  fingers of filtered sunlight shining through dusty windows.  Rows of vessels in various stages of completion create a mystical feeling reminiscent of an Arabian Knights treasure chamber or an ancient Chinese tomb.  The forms he chooses for his works are classical, most notably amphorae-like forms, as well as forms similar to ancient storage jars and water  jugs.  Most have a Mediterranean flare although some have a more eastern influence, particularly his lidded vessels which feature teardrop shaped crowns similar to decorative elements on Asian temples, Moorish architecture, or Chinese perfume bottles.
 

Even Mattie's small scale works are large in comparison with most ceramics.  His vessels are robustly proportioned, thick walled terra cotta, providing an expansive surface for painting.  Mattie uses the surfaces of his works like a painter uses a canvas. Although some are purely figurative, and some are abstract, the majority of his works are portraits, painted in intense colors that express facets of the personality of the subject. 

Much like a painter working on canvas, Mattie lays out his designs by drawing in charcoal directly on the surface of the vessel before applying glazes.

Many exude an undeniable and sometimes expicit sexuality, as well as a sultry sense of humor.  Some of Mattie's most engaging pieces are narrative scenes that combine portraiture with a montage of related objects and images that define a moment or tell a story.  These works almost always include engaging elements of design in the clothing of the subject or in the background drapery, such as the leopard spotted hat and striped stockings in the pieces shown here.