Image via Jill Pearson Art.
After picking up her paintbrush again, Downingtown artist Jill Pearson is winning awards in the art scene.
A professional illustrator with a degree in Fine Art from the University of the Arts, Jill Pearson worked as a freelance Photoshop artist, writes Ben Silver for Main line today.
Although her freelance work paid the bills, Pearson longed for more. In 2021, she rediscovered her love of painting, something that had brought her joy in her youth. In 2024, she took first place in the mixed media category at the Lititz Outdoor Fine Art Show.
Pearson’s Photoshop background gives her art a different touch, as most classically trained artists do not have a strong knowledge of digital art. Pearson creates her mixed media works using acrylic paint, drawing mediums, and collage. It’s a unique style that alternates between abstraction and landscape.
“I start intuitively and build up layers and remove them,” Pearson said. “I use an orbital sander and sand through the material to create texture.”
Pearson’s art has been sold at the Wayne Art Center, historic Yellow Springs, the Malvern Retreat House Art Show, and now the Lititz Fine Art Show, where she took home first prize.
“I’m hoping that this will allow me to expand into some better galleries in the area. It’s only been three years since I started painting again, so I think I have a lot more up my sleeve in terms of my goals,” Pearson said.
Pearson hopes to apply to the Long’s Park Art Festival in Lancaster next year.
Read more about Jill Pearson’s artistic journey and creative process at Main line today.
______
