Since 1980, Mats Gustafson has been based in New York, working as a fashion illustrator. His art has graced the pages of publications like "VOGUE" and "VISIONAIRE," and has been featured in campaign visuals for numerous luxury brands. Primarily working in watercolor, his distinctive style is characterized by minimalism and delicate gradations.

He began dedicating his energy to subjects beyond fashion in the late 1980s. Seeking more essential themes, he started presenting works depicting nudes and nature. According to one interview, the escalating AIDS crisis in his community was one contributing factor. He eventually moved from his renowned Manhattan home and studio—a space frequently featured in interior design magazines—to a rural town in upstate New York. It was around this time that he began to frequently depict the waterside rocks and trees of this region, expressing a tranquility and serenity distinct from fashion, rendered with a highly sophisticated technique.

Ours is an era that tends to emphasize the value of the new and the ever-changing. Mats Gustafson's depictions of nature, however, reflect forms that have remained unchanged since before humanity's existence. The techniques he employs, such as watercolor and oil painting, are also ancient. While he mastered the beauty of the ever-evolving in fashion illustration, he also understands the importance of that which endures.