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St. Pius X Art Teacher Showcases Mural On The 'Rachael Ray Show'
Set designers of 6ABC's ''Rachel Ray Show asked self-taught artist, Erika Matyok of St. Pius X School in Broomall, to paint a mural for a taping of the show in South Philadelphia.
BROOMALL–Erika Matyok has had a passion for painting big, vibrant flowers most of her life.
“I can remember making a finger-painting of a red rose around the age of 4 or 5,” says Matyok, who is the art teacher at in Broomall.
Naturally, it was to Matyok’s delight when she was referred to the popular 'Rachael Ray Show' on 6ABC. The set design crew asked her to contribute her artistic skills to an urban garden built on the corner of Wharton Street and East Passyunk Avenue in South Philly. The garden served as the backdrop for Tuesday, Aug. 30th’s, taping of the “Great Philly Grill Off” episode to air in a few weeks.
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“I was referred by a former colleague who knows I specialize in, and have experience with, large-scale botanical and floral painting,” says Matyok.
Matyok, who enjoyed picking out the paint colors the most, explained, "The mural was designed based on vintage labels of fruits and vegetables. The flowers in the mural are Nasturtiums, which are edible flowers. Each is about 6-feet in diameter.”
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Impressive and undoubtedly not an easy task to accomplish, Matyok is no stranger to this type of large-scale painting assignment. Matyok has already worked on many of the popular murals seen scattered throughout Philadelphia.
Matyok has spent a good deal of time living in the city, while studying psychology at Temple University, volunteering at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and building her portfolio but her roots lie in Delaware County.
Matyok was born and raised in Chester, and attended Padua Academy in Delaware. She now lives in the Media area, and teaches aspiring young artists at St. Pius X in Broomall. She also runs Fancyhands Designs, which is a company that specializes in custom murals, faux finishes, kids’ rooms and hand-painted furniture.
The self-proclaimed, self-taught artist says her favorite things about Delaware County are Ridley Creek State Park and Linvilla Orchards, two very special places, undoubtedly, for artistic inspiration.
“I feel different every time I complete a work of art. Each piece holds a different meaning, process, or look. It’s a positive, and maybe personal, feeling that comes with completing a work of art,” says Matyok. “It’s a natural instinct for me to paint, draw and design.”
You can see Erika Matyok’s mural on the 'Rachael Ray Show' the week of Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. on 6ABC.
