Dreams2Reality
Matthew Jackson - Professional Artist
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About Matthew Jackson
MATTHEW JACKSON, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
Matthew Jackson was born and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1981. He has been in art since he was able to pick up a pencil. This was about the time he first discovered he had a talent in drawing. Anything he could do to push the boundaries of art is what he pursued with a fiery passion. His work combines elements from all his extensive research and practice with a fresh modern flare. Ever-evolving artist Matthew seeks extreme challenges to bring his works past what he thought was possible.
When he was in second grade, his art teacher noticed his advanced artistic abilities and put him in a special class for extra training. After winning a citywide contest (designing the USS Tortuga ship seal), in which were first graders through college-level students, Matthew's art teacher immediately recommended that he be placed into an art program at Old Donation Center (ODC), a school for the gifted and talented.
Matthew started his professional mural business Dreams 2 Reality in February 2002. Over 23 years of experience has led him into countless schools/colleges/universities, including ones in Norfolk, Suffolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach, as well as across the United States of America. Due to the successful completion and quality of those murals, Matthew is often asked to do several more projects following the initial creation.
Matthew's artistic work has led him to murals, canvas painting, logos, sculpture painting, floor murals, window paintings, carving, sculpting, creative artistic landscaping, creative home renovation, etc. He is eager to produce various styles of art and techniques from abstract to surrealism, on his quest to perfect his craft, and to continue his defining career in art.
Services Offered
Murals
Professional murals for schools, businesses, and homes across multiple states
Canvas Painting
Custom canvas artwork from abstract to surrealism
Logos
Professional logo design and branding solutions
Home Renovation
Creative artistic landscaping and home renovation projects
Sculpture Painting
Custom sculpture painting and three-dimensional artwork
Floor Murals
Unique floor artwork and specialized surface painting
How It Works
From first message to finished mural — Matthew's process is simple, transparent, and honest about timeline and cost.
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Send Photos & Details
Share photos of the surface, rough dimensions, the subject you have in mind, and your timeline through the quote form.
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Quote & Sketch
Within 1-2 business days you'll receive a fixed-price quote. Once accepted, Matthew develops a concept sketch with up to two rounds of revisions included.
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On-Site Painting
Surface prep, primer, hand-painted artwork, and topcoat — typically 2-7 days for an interior mural; longer for large or exterior work.
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Reveal & Warranty
Final walk-through, photo documentation, and a workmanship guarantee. Matthew is available for follow-up touch-ups years after install.
Schools & Organizations
Over 20+ years, Matthew's murals have appeared in schools, businesses, and public spaces across Hampton Roads and beyond.
Public Schools
- College Park Elementary
- Kingston Elementary
- Plaza Middle School
- Landstown Schools
- Virginia Elementary
Public Spaces
- Norfolk Children's Museum
- VBFD Fire Station (17th Street)
- Recreation centers across Hampton Roads
- Sandbridge VA private installations
Service Areas
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Norfolk, VA
- Chesapeake, VA
- Suffolk, VA
- Out-of-state by arrangement
If you'd like a reference for a specific project, mention it in your quote request and Matthew will connect you with the relevant contact.
Portfolio Gallery
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Frequently Asked
Common questions about commissioning a mural, custom project, or renovation with Matthew.
How much does a mural cost?
Mural pricing depends on size, surface, complexity of the artwork, and location. Most school and business interior murals fall in the $2,000-$8,000 range; larger exterior or multi-wall projects scale from there. Send photos of the surface and rough dimensions through the quote request form and Matthew will reply with a fixed price within 1-2 business days.
What areas do you serve?
Matthew is based in Virginia Beach, VA and works throughout Hampton Roads — Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth, and surrounding areas — at no travel surcharge. Out-of-state and out-of-region projects are quoted with travel and lodging included; he has completed murals across the United States.
How long does a mural take?
A typical interior mural takes 2-7 days of on-site painting depending on size and detail. Large multi-wall projects, exterior murals, or pieces with extensive fine detail can run 1-3 weeks. Matthew will give you a project timeline alongside the quote, including when surface prep needs to happen before painting starts.
Do you provide a sketch before painting?
Yes. Once a quote is accepted, Matthew develops a concept sketch (digital or hand-drawn) for your approval before any paint hits the wall. Two rounds of revisions are included; further changes are quoted hourly. The goal is for you to know exactly what the finished mural will look like before it begins.
What surfaces can you paint?
Cinder block, drywall, brick, wood, metal, fiberglass, foam, plaster, glass, concrete, vehicles, ceilings, and floors. Each surface gets the appropriate primer and topcoat for durability. Exterior murals are painted with UV-resistant paints and sealed against weather.
Do you also do renovations?
Yes — Matthew handles full creative renovations of bathrooms, kitchens, fireplaces, cabinets, and outdoor spaces, treating each as an artwork rather than a copy of a showroom. See the renovations gallery for examples, or request a quote describing your space.
Can I commission custom artwork on something unusual — a skateboard, surfboard, vehicle?
Absolutely — those are some of Matthew's favorite projects. Send a photo of the object, what you'd like painted on it, and any deadline. See the custom projects gallery for past commissions: skate decks, surfboards, school buses, sculptures, and one-off pieces.
What's your typical turnaround on a quote?
1-2 business days for most quote requests. Complex projects requiring an on-site visit (full renovations, multi-wall murals, exterior buildings) take a bit longer to schedule but you'll get a confirmation within the same window.
Contact Matthew
