Working in mixed media, Jay Deady Matthews’ work examines the relationship between human and non-human, animate beings, drawing parallels between human and animal behaviour and instincts.  She explores ideas of the innate connections and instinctual patterns between them, picking apart the animalistic tendencies of humans and explores animal centered phrases, and terminology in sport, hobbies and everyday life. With a focus on the animals that we include in our family life and their evolution from “vicious animals” to beloved pets, she creates colourful, primal images using acrylic, chalk, coloured pencils, crayons, charcoal and watercolour. The scale of the works acts as an artificial environment of confinement for the subject, with larger scale work allowing for greater freedom and flexibility in movement while the smaller scale calls for much more restricted and precise movement throughout the process. Regardless of size, every piece starts within the sketchbook, with loose, purely instinctual sketches, where the technical aspects are allowed to develop as each layer evolves.