“Forgotten Treasure” by Greta Mattingly, Oil, 24x20in, 2017, $1500
Artists look at the world differently. Their eye is drawn to expressions of grace and beauty in the mundane: the awkward angle of a waiter’s arm as they carry a tray of cocktails, or the very specific light emanating from behind a bar, or the way a telephone pole and power lines frame a part of a building. Such things surround us all, but it is that ability to isolate and capture such impressions that are a foundation of an artist, whether it translates into representational, abstract, or experiential work.
“Bartender Chipping Ice” by Greta Mattingly, Oil, 10x8in, 2018, $400
Painter Greta Mattingly describes her practice this way: “Every painting starts with a leap of faith. You draw a breath of inspiration from the world around you and take the plunge. There is always that exhilaration in knowing once immersed in the experience it will be memorable.”
In “Forgotten Treasure”, how many times did Mattingly pass by this location before the relationship of winter light and bare branches stopped her in her tracks, a scene demanding to be painted.
In her observational figurative images, there often is little to no detail in the faces of the people, yet in “Pretty in Lace” she captures a haughty, insolent expression on the face of the model, communicating the inherent challenge in the subject’s attitude towards being the focus of attention, as if to say, “just try and capture me on canvas!”
Mattingly has no formal art degree, but for two years she was mentored by impressionist painter James Richards (Atlanta, GA). She has also taken numerous workshops throughout the years with artists such as James Richards, Dee Beard Dean, David Shevlino, Margaret Dyer, Collen Whissey, Charles Walls, Amanda Carder, and Allen Rodgers.
In May 2019, Mattingly will be included in a Kentucky derby themed exhibit at Kentucky Fine Art Gallery called Win, Place, & Show.
Hometown: York, Pennsylvania
Education: Associates Degree, Camden Co. College, Dental Hygiene; Bachelors Degree, West Chester University, Public Health
Website: gretamattingly.com
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“Pretty in Lace” by Greta Mattingly, OIl, 20x16in, 2018, $950
“She Needs A Double” by Greta Mattingly, OIl, 11x14in, 2018, $475
“Volunteers of Summer” by Greta Mattingly Oil, 40x30in, 2018, $2400
“Summer Pond” by Greta Mattingly, Oil, 24x18in, 2018, $1100
Written by Keith Waits. Entire contents copyright © 2018 Louisville Visual Art. All rights reserved. In addition to his work at the LVA, Keith is also the Managing Editor of a website, Arts-Louisville.com, which covers local visual arts, theatre, and music in Louisville.
