Matt Baltay's Portfolio

Key Square: Madeline's Mountain Misadventures

Client: Self-Initiated

In this personal illustration series, I reimagine Madeline, the resilient protagonist from the beloved indie game Celeste, facing a variety of perilous situations beyond her canonical journey. Each artwork captures Madeline’s various “checkmates” as she traverses surreal and challenging landscapes, mirroring the game’s themes of perseverance and self-discovery.

Like a pawn aspiring to become a queen, Madeline faces obstacles far beyond her canonical journey. The illustrations depict her strategic moves and sacrifices across an ever-changing chessboard of trials, where each setback is merely a prelude to her next attempt. This visual metaphor echoes Celeste’s core message: in both chess and life, progress often comes through repeated efforts and learning from defeat.

This project serves as both a tribute to Celeste’s inspiring narrative and an exploration of visual storytelling through fan art, reimagining Madeline’s quest as an intricate game of chess against her own limitations and fears.

Knight Moves: Detroit Week !!!!!!

Not posters, but one of my fav series was one created for a collection of Detroit artists that came down to Dazzle.

Utilizing bold typography and a colorful palette, the design effectively conveys a sense of excitement and engagement. The layout is visually striking, drawing attention to key information while embodying the spirit of Detroit. This piece served as a promotional tool, inviting participants to join in the festivities and celebrate the city’s culture and community.