Matthew Stults, a senior at Campbellsville University, is leaving a lasting impression with his captivating artwork that reflects his deep passion for the outdoors. Over the past four years, Stults has poured his heart into his creations, using his art to inspire others to connect with the natural world. Through each piece, he hopes to ignite a love for nature in everyone who experiences his work.
During his time at CU, Stults has developed into a new artist he never thought he would be. After taking classes for his degree, he found himself using and working with different materials and techniques he never thought he would use. Stults has even found himself adapting different styles when it comes to his work.
“The creative process for my landscape paintings is very different from my digital designs and graphite drawings, among others,” Stults said. “I’ve always been a little bit of a perfectionist, obsessing over the smallest details and spending hours looking at my work, thinking about what can be changed. I found a lot of relief working on my paintings as I decided to take a step back and approach it differently. Instead of worrying about copying every detail exactly as I see it, I opted for a looser, more gestural painting style.”
From a young age, Stults has always been intrigued by art, as it provided him with the fulfilling joy of seeing what he has created and being able to share that with others. To Stults, art is more than just a career path. It’s also a passion that allows him to express his vision.
“I was lucky to have a family that supported and encouraged that interest my whole life,” Stults said. “I’ve always loved the satisfaction of looking at a finished piece and knowing that I created it. It’s really important to me to be able to do something that I enjoy as a career, to do something that matters to me and doesn’t just feel like I’m doing it to make a living.”
From trying new techniques, to expanding his previous expertise, Stults has always been a dedicated student, willing to go above and beyond to improve and learn new things. CU alumni Ben Burnison recalls admiring Stults not only for his talents but his character.
“Matt not only is a phenomenal artist, he is a great guy,” Burnison said. “His talent and hard work has no bounds. His portrait work always amazed me. His use of different media and contrast is top-notch.”
Campbellsville University Art and Design Assistant Professor Corey Cundiff has recognized Stults’ talent since he entered the program. His growth throughout the years, as well as his efforts to evolve, have never gone unnoticed.
“Matt Stults, in particular, came into our program with innate skill,” Cundiff said. “Even with media that he had never attempted before, he was impressive to watch. He is a great student that is constantly putting in time outside of class to perfect his craft. He has the skill and ambition to be a great artist after graduation, I am sure of that.”
Upon graduation, Stults hopes to pursue a career in graphic design.
“Having my artwork displayed in an exclusive exhibition is definitely a step in that direction,” Stults said. “It provides me with work to include in my portfolio as well as the experience needed to secure a job in the arts industry.”
Stults has been nothing but grateful for his time at CU, as he feels it has prepared him with a great portfolio and the experience he will need when looking for a job in the art industry.
