Mattinson studied art at the Perth Technical College and drew his earliest cartoons for the Western Mail. He was a draughtsman at the Board of Works before serving with the AIF in France during WWI. He was art editor of the AIF paper Aussie published in France from 1918 to 1919.

After the war, he was a cartoonist in London, particularly drawing the sporting cartoons for the Daily Herald (1919-31). He contributed to London Opinion, Passing Show and Punch, with some drawings reproduced in America, Germany and Japan.

After returning to Australia, he joined Smith’s Weekly as staff cartoonist in 1936. He also contributed to the Bulletin and World's News.