Pears with Money Plant
30x28, Oil |
Matthew Zoll was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1968. From a very early
age Matt acquired a liking for fine art and especially realism. Throughout
his childhood, Matt drew and painted with the encouragement of his parents.
At the age of thirteen he was introduced to oils and began studying under
artist Bob Browne. His new teacher kept him from painting, and for the
first year Matt only drew from casts with charcoal. Around this time,
Matt recalls taking a trip to the Brandy Wine River Museum, seeing exhibits
from artists N.C., Andrew and Jamie Wyeth. It was at this moment when
Matthew knew he wanted to dedicate his life to becoming a painter. After
several years, Browne took notice to Matthew’s advanced abilities
in painting and encouraged him to enroll in The Schuler School of Fine
Arts in Baltimore. Matthew graduated high school, took the advice from
Browne, and in the fall of ’87 he began his formal training at Schuler’s.
While there, Matt immersed himself in the studies of anatomy, watercolor,
cast drawing, sculpture, portraiture and still life. During his four years
at Schuler’s, largely influenced by teachers Ann Schuler and Will
Wilson, Matt began concentrating on still life and classical realism.
He was taught the painstaking techniques of the old Flemish masters, applying
and manipulating the Flemish medium. Matt discovered that he had an appreciation
for drawing and still life; and insists that they are the foundation of
all art. Through the teachings of Schuler and Wilson, Matt learned that
he could always take his painting a little further in contrast and detail.
 The
Schuler’s provided Matthew with the formulas of the Flemish medium
rediscovered by Jacques Maroger. By hand grinding powder pigments with
black oil, made from linseed oil and litharge, Matthew achieves remarkable
color and vibrancy to his paintings. The Flemish medium, also made in
the studio, allows the artist to produce a rich luster and an intense
luminosity throughout his paintings. Matthew applies the techniques of
the masters to his contemporary realistic paintings. The techniques are
tried and true and have not changed for centuries; but life, art and artists
do. Matt uses classical subjects and places them in more contemporary
settings and compositions. This classical style of realism is not to be
confused with photo realism. Matthew feels that painting strictly from
life he can achieve a certain mood and drama to his work that is sometimes
overlooked in photo translations.
Matthew was accepted into his first gallery
at the age of eighteen and had his first one-man show at twenty-two. Since
then he has sold out six one-man shows, making Matthew Zoll one of the
most sought after emerging young artists among art collectors and enthusiasts
alike.
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