JILL MAYTORENA

MEDIUM

Mixed Media

ARTIST STATEMENT

“Working with classical portraiture and non-traditional materials, my purpose is to create vibrant, complex, and unexpected art that enchants the eye of the viewer and draws them in for a closer look.”

ARTIST BIO

Jill Maytorena’s portraits reveal figures who emerge through a glow of pastels and vibrant patterns. She has a unique style of capturing beauty through textural representations and forms.

Sewing patterns, patterned fabrics and papers, charcoals, and soft pastels blend in collaged layers to illuminate the topography of her figurative art. While the portrayal of the figures is achieved by meticulous drawing techniques, the deconstruction (and reconstruction) of the background is achieved by a juxtaposition of different media. In a state of unlimited possibilities, she surrounds herself with visual chatter as she sifts through piles of fabric, paper, and found appliqués. The creative process is deliberately chaotic in the beginning yet geared towards the achievement of a sense of harmony, as well as the creation of a visually engaging imagery.

After completing a BFA from Laguna College of Art & Design, Jill’s creative path moved from graphic designer to art instructor. While active in her studio, she longed to immerse herself in her art practice full time. Returning to LCAD to pursue her MFA in Drawing solidified her commitment to her artistic journey. She has not looked back. Jill has won many awards for her drawings, has participated in numerous group exhibitions, and a solo show in Texas. Her works are in public and private collections, including the Hilbert Museum of California Art.

“There are no rules… that is how art is born, that is how breakthroughs happen. Go against the rules or ignore the rules, that is what invention is about.”
Helen Frankenthaler