During the pandemic, like many others, Jill Pearson found herself growing tired of looking at screens. A professional illustrator with a fine arts degree from the University of the Arts, she created freelance work using Photoshop from her home in Downingtown but sought something more fulfilling.
While her career as a freelance Photoshop illustrator helped pay the bills, it wasn’t the artistic life she envisioned, especially after starting a family. In 2021, fueled by a desire to reconnect with her artistic roots, Pearson began painting again. She had no intention of winning awards or creating a masterpiece, yet in 2024, she claimed first place in the mixed media category at the Lititz Outdoor Fine Art Show near Lancaster.
Pearson’s background in Photoshop offers her a distinctive perspective within the contemporary art scene. Despite the increased media and technological proficiency among artists today, many traditional artists lack the comprehensive digital art experience that Pearson possesses.
In her mixed-media artwork, Pearson employs a combination of acrylic paint, drawing tools, and collages created from found materials like paper, books, and palette sheets. Her style blends abstract and landscape elements, evoking a sense of familiarity within the unfamiliar, drawing viewers in.
“I start off completely intuitively and I build layers and I remove layers,” she said. “I’ll use an orbital sander to create textures. The process is iterative; I work out the composition on the canvas rather than beginning with a sketch.”
An old saying distinguishes between two types of creatives: architects, who plan thoroughly, and gardeners, who allow their work to evolve organically. While no artist fits neatly into one category, Pearson leans more toward being a gardener.
“I find abstract art to be more challenging because you’re not starting with an idea, you’re not following a sketch,” she explained. “As I approach the end of the painting, I refine it using my design skills to enhance the composition. It’s a journey where I want the entire history of the work to be visible on the canvas.”
This method has led Pearson to showcase her art in various venues, including Wayne Art Center and the Malvern Retreat House Art Show, culminating in her recent achievement at the competitive Lititz Fine Arts Show. She had been preparing for this event since winter 2023, submitting a booth photo to the organizers, and finally secured her spot in May.
On July 27, Pearson set up her exhibit at Lititz Spring Park. As the event unfolded and awards were given, she momentarily dismissed her chances. However, when a visitor approached her booth with a blue ribbon, she was taken by surprise. The recognition sparked her joy.
Winning an award not only instills a sense of pride but also serves as a validation of her work, enhancing her credibility as an artist and facilitating opportunities for exhibiting and selling her art at more prestigious events.
“I hope to leverage this victory to gain access to better galleries in the area. It’s only been three years since I resumed painting, so I believe there’s much more I want to achieve,” Pearson shared. “I aim to apply for higher-caliber art fairs, including the Long’s Park Art Festival in Lancaster, which is known for its quality. I hope this award facilitates those goals.”
While the win at Lititz represents a significant milestone for Pearson, she views it as a stepping stone rather than the pinnacle of her artistic journey. With new opportunities opening before her, she is ready to embrace her ambitions and grow into the artist she has always aspired to be.