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JANNE MATTER - ARTIST
BIOGRAPHY AND MISSION STATEMENT
1983 found me face to face with Leukemia, no cure and a short time to make some major decisions about what I wanted to accomplish on this earth. The largest void was a wish to paint beautiful images of the flowers in my gardens. At that time I was the director of an art gallery in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and I asked two of the artists if they would take me on as a pupil. Michael Heberlein was my first instructor. I set up an easel in his atelier and we began. David Brumbaugh would contribute to the critiques and soon I was sent to work in my own studio, entered a juried show immediately and was accepted. A passion for painting has remained with me throughout life’s journey and I feel that having much to say with a paintbrush helped me fight and overcome my battle with cancer, recieving a clean bill of health in 2005.
1997 found me facing the new challenge of being divorced and living on my own. Immediately I went back to Michigan State University, changed my major to painting, graduated in 2000 and set out across the United States in search of the perfect painting venue. Port Townsend and Seattle Washington introduced me to wooden boats and combined my love of the ocean, mountains and foliage. My “day job” as a manager of fabric stores and designer led me to Boston and more wooden boats, Sarasota and lush tropical foliage and now, best of all, family in Phoenix. The decision to paint full time came about in 2004 giving me more time to explore new painting opportunities.
Painting representational images is the most rewarding aspect of my life. Whether it is a magnificent flower, resting wooden boat, fresh fruit, powerful ocean, snowcapped mountain or life’s quiet scenes, I want to draw the viewer into the image for a closer look and contemplation. Upon entering my painting surface the image begins to break down into masses of shapes and colors with a conscientious use of color wheel opposites. My use of acrylic paints allows the most vibrant of colors to emerge, maintaining the high saturation level I desire while maintaining color-fastness. Color is reflected back through numerous layers of washes to create the blend in the eye.
Gallery Exhibits and one woman shows have occurred in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Washington, Massachusetts, Maine, Florida, Arizona, California and Oregon.
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