Andy Mathis

AHA FOUNDING MEMBER

Bio

I strive to create paintings that are both interesting to view and technically challenging. Watercolor is my favorite medium. I love when colors bleed together with transparent luminosity. I would describe my style as "loose with a bit of restraint"- combining fluidity and detail together. I try not to overwork the painting and lose its freshness. Subjects vary from florals, stilllifes, people, and architectural subjects. I vary the subjects, mediums (wc, acrylic, and egg tempera) and supports (paper, clayboard, and canvas) for collectors to choose as my paintings are created to share and enjoy.

II began painting as something to do in an adult education, once a week class, through a local junior college around 1994.  I had previously admired others work at art shows and festivals, yet didn't care to try to paint.  Too busy I guess!  I signed up for this class and I became excited and challenged.  The class consisted of several people -some beginners, others a bit more experienced.  This was much more difficult than I had believed.  I hadn't taken any art classes in high school or college, with the exception of required humanities classes in college.  Yet, I always had a knack for creating great and colorful posters for school projects.  In fifth grade, I won a poster contest for a local production of the Atlanta Ballet.  Everyone else's poster was made out of crayons, markers, etc. -my poster was made out of oil pastels that my mother had stored away from a short stint as a school teacher. 
     During 1994-96 I became a "sponge" reading lots of books and artists magazines  to learn more about the medium of watercolor.  It took a while to train my eye to see the details of things and images- the color and values and how they  relate to the other.  I found that by entering local festivals and exhibitions, my paintings  improved by staying focused and motivated to get them  started and finished. 
      I began entering national juried watercolor exhibitions in 1998.  A painting was selected as the official image of the 1999 Atlanta Dogwood Festival.  By spring of 2000, I had enough entries accepted into Georgia Watercolor Society national and member exhibitions to obtain signature status.  My painting subjects vary- florals, still life, landscapes, people.  Some images are very personal (my cat, my family) while others have more commercial appeal. 
     Memberships include several local artists guilds and Georgia Watercolor Society.

• Blog
• Shop
• Web Site