About | Sanctuaryofechoes

The Full Story

Matthew John's distinctive art style is built upon the foundation of anthropomorphism, skillfully depicting a wide variety of animals—from mammals and reptiles to primates—as sophisticated, upright, human-like subjects. The central conceit is the fusion of familiar animals with human contexts, behavior, and emotion. A consistent thread of whimsy and gentle humour runs through the collection, transforming each piece from a mere animal study into a narrative character portrait.

The technical execution of the portraits showcases a masterful blend of realism and stylisation. Matthew anchors the work in reality through the highly detailed, almost photographic rendering of the animals' heads, fur, and natural textures (e.g., a mouse's ear or a langur's ruff). This realism is counterbalanced by the deliberate stylisation and occasional exaggeration of the bodies and postures—such as the elongated form of the fox or the muscular bulk of the gorilla—which lends the subjects a distinct, character-driven quality reminiscent of illustration.

Visually unifying every piece is the signature gold background, typically executed in a heavily textured metallic leaf or rich gold paint. This is the style's most defining characteristic, acting as a dramatic, luxurious, and timeless backdrop. The gold background elevates the whimsical subjects, transforming them from simple animal studies into theatrical, high-art portraits that convey a sense of opulence and ceremony, providing a rich, classical frame for the humorous or eccentric modern characters within.

Finally, the meticulously chosen costuming and persona further define's each subject. The animals are dressed in human attire that often combines cultural and temporal styles, such as vintage dapper clothing (the fox and the mouse), contemporary casual wear (the gorilla), or rich ceremonial garments (the gazelle and the langur). This attention to dress assigns each creature a clear, well-defined personality, allowing the viewer to immediately recognise the suave gentleman, the dedicated athlete, or the quiet royal. The overall effect is a masterful blend of whimsical fantasy and technical realism, resulting in opulent yet charming animal portraiture.

Matthew’s paintings of gay couples has a Classical Realism or Academic Realism, often with Romantic or Neoclassical overtones. Matthew demonstrates exceptional technical skill, using highly detailed, polished figure work that idealizes the masculine form, emphasising muscularity and tone, similar to 19th-century academic painters. Key features of the style include dramatic use of chiaroscuro (strong contrast between light and shadow) to create depth and drama, a preference for historical or mythological settings (like classical columns, Roman armour, or lush wilderness), and a consistently warm, golden, or earthy colour palette. Where abstraction is used (as in the blue and white pieces), it employs an expressive, impasto technique with heavy, visible brushstrokes, though still focused on rendering the intimate human form.

The Wedding Card Collection.

Gay Weddings, like all weddings, are a celebration of love, commitment, and partnership, which are fundamental human experiences that bring joy to those involved and their communities. They are a powerful expression of personal happiness and a milestone in a couple's life journey together.

They represent a hard-won victory for equality and acceptance, symbolising a society that is becoming more inclusive and just. For many, seeing a same-sex couple publicly and legally celebrated validates their own identities and relationships, fostering a sense of hope and belonging. The act of a gay wedding itself becomes a joyful testament to social progress, a moment that was unimaginable for many just a few decades ago. It's a public celebration not just of two people's love, but of a collective movement towards a more open and welcoming world.

We offer Designs for LGBT wedding cards, providing a more inclusive and representative alternative to traditional cards with diverse and creative designs. We want to reflect a broader cultural shift towards acknowledging and celebrating a wider spectrum of relationships and identities.

As a small, independent designer, our manufacturing and shipping are handled by a print-on-demand company called Prodigi. www.prodigi.com

Cards are supplied with a blank envelope addressed to your address, allowing you to post or hand-deliver to the person you care about.

Each one is produced on Fedrigoni one-sided Symbol gloss paper (330gsm) and coated with a gloss UV varnish.

- 330gsm

- Envelope(s) included

I hope these cards give joy to the person they are delivered to.

Fine Art Prints.

For Fine Art Prints please go to the Saatchi and Saatchi Gallery.

https://www.saatchiart.com/en-gb/sanctuaryofechoes

Kindest regards

Matthew

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