# Acrylic Video Game Art Artist Matthew Palladino Carves Out His Own Aesthetic Through Simplicity By Jordan Sowunmi | Published 2011-08-30 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artist-matthew-palladino References: [beautifuldecay](http://beautifuldecay.com/2011/08/26/matthew-palladino-2/#more-47991) & [matthewpalladino](http://matthewpalladino.com/) San Francisco-based artist Matthew Palladino's work is an interesting blend of video game aesthetics, surrealism, and conventional suburban living to create a style that is original, compelling, and zany. As an artist, Matthew Palladino received formal training at the [California College of Arts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-and-space-center) in his hometown of San Francisco. His technical proficiency is evident with the deft low-fi detail featured in his illustrations that resemble an old school video game. As an artist, Matthew Palladino's inventive style has earned him fans on both coasts, with his work being exhibited in both San Francisco and Philadelphia. The 26-year-old painter develops themes relating to contemporary Western civilization, pop culture, and taboo topics. Click through the gallery to see what I mean. Additional photo credits: [Juxtapoz Magazine](http://www.juxtapoz.com/Current/artist-to-watch-matthew-palladino) ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.7/10 - Popularity: 83% | Activity: 50% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Video Game Aesthetics:** Embracing video game aesthetics in art can create a unique and captivating style. - **Surrealism:** Blending surrealistic elements with conventional suburban living can result in an original and zany aesthetic. - **Low-fi Detail:** Incorporating deft low-fi detail in illustrations can evoke nostalgia and appeal to a specific audience. ### Where This Applies - **Art and Design:** The art industry can explore and embrace video game aesthetics, surrealism, and low-fi detail to create innovative and impressive artworks. - **Entertainment and Gaming:** The entertainment and gaming industry can collaborate with artists who specialize in video game aesthetics to create visually striking and immersive gaming experiences. - **Advertising and Marketing:** Brands can incorporate surrealistic elements and low-fi detail inspired by Matthew Palladino's work to create memorable and attention-grabbing advertising campaigns. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Video Game-Themed Pixel Paintings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pixel-art-collection.md) - [Pop Art Legend-Honoring Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keiichi-tanaami-1.md) - [Bi-Culture-Inspired Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bicultureinspired-art-exhibition.md) - [Deconstructed Pop Art NFTs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/matt-gondek.md) - [Photographer-Collab Card Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/artiste-series.md) - [Hand-Drawn Puzzle Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-masters-pupil.md) - [Human Duality-Themed Abstract Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/passive-aggression.md) - [Illustrative Artist-Collaborative Card Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shantell-martin-1.md) - [Virtual Craft Fusions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/arnardo-collection.md)