Jody Mattison, Evening Light
At times I struggle to appreciate realistic paintings by contemporary artists because cameras have spoiled me. If I want realism, I can always look at a photograph. But Jody Mattison’s work at the Epperson Gallery caught me off guard.
Her paintings drew me in because of their authenticity. The people she paints aren’t idealized or romanticized. They look like people I know and may be people she knows. Her paintings remind me of the early 20th century realists, like Edward Hopper, who found quiet poetry in everyday life.
I like the color palette she uses. It feels natural and luminous. Her work has a simplicity to it that conceals the technical challenges of painting realistically. And even when her subjects appear posed, the poses feel unpretentious.
She shows that realism, when done well, isn’t merely about imitating life, it’s about revealing it. Her work suggests that it’s possible to capture the beauty, color, and dignity of ordinary life through the ancient and venerable art of painting. Camera be damned.
