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JJ Matthews Company Info
JJ Matthews is located in Kennebunkport Maine. Kennebunkport is a small new england town on the atlantic ocean and is the major inspirational force behind JJ Matthews. The company's online presence today is the result of many years of experience in the business of fine art.
Jill Matthews - Company Founder / Artist
Jill studied fine art and received her degree from The University of Vermont. Upon graduating she took her talents to San Diego, forming a successful business based on commissioned artwork for homes throughout Southern California. Her strong roots in New England eventually drew her back to the east coast and she is now living in the seaside town of Kennebunkport, Maine. An interview with Jill Matthews For Jill Matthews art is an adventure. “I don’t like to be stagnant,” she reveals as she stares at a freshly primed canvas. “I never want to become too predictable as an artist,” Jill continues. “I like to be challenged.”
Jill then brings her paintbrush toward the canvas and slowly begins to fill in the empty white space. This work, she explains, will be another in her series of saltwater marsh paintings, a theme she began exploring upon moving to the east coast in 2005.
“Marshes are fascinating because they are so new to me,” Jill explains, her brush strokes becoming more fluid and assured. “I didn’t see this kind of landscape growing up in Vermont or California, so it’s something new to explore.”
Jill speaks, of course, of her years studying art at the University of Vermont, where she had initially planned to major in education. However, Jill had known since she was young that art was her passion. “It was the only thing that truely captured my attention,” she recalls, the tips of the marsh weeds now forming into view on the canvas. “I can recall the feeling when I finally changed my major to art, I was now traveling down the path that was intended for me and that felt so great."
After graduating Jill moved to San Diego, California where she worked on various commissioned pieces for homeowners. While Jill welcomed the opportunity to create artwork for a living, she quickly realized painting works for others was not as fulfilling as following her own artistic vision, so she and her husband, Justin (both natives of New England), decided to return home to their roots. Now relocated in the seaside town of Kennebunkport, Maine, Jill is able to devote herself completely to her artwork.
Jill paints rapidly now, fleshing out the light blue hues of the early morning skyline. Once finished, the painting like most of Jill’s work, will possess a peaceful, undisturbed quality. “All of my paintings are sort of a moment captured in time,” Jill explains. “I am drawn to scenes or locations that have a sort of undisturbed quality, they lack a human element.”
Jill acknowledges her move to the east coast has provided her with tremendous creative inspiration, and that her saltwater marsh series will eventually give way to a new series of paintings. “I’ll wait for something new to inspire me,” she says. “Southern Maine is such a beautiful area that I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before a new scene catches my attention.”
She pauses, finally pulling her brush away from the canvas. Jill remains still, carefully examining her work, uncertain how to proceed next with the painting.
Indeed, her next adventure awaits. -Adam Marletta |