Matthew Mattingly

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Clothesline

Another one from the Cape.

Oil linen panel, 10" x 12"

The light on the clothesline and trees was one of the first things I noticed on arrival. I did this in three sessions on site plus some little touches at home.

Oil painting of old clothesline consisting of two rops between T-shaped support posts, with large tree and distant ocean on background. The late afternoon light casts a golden aura on the scene, creating a strong value contrast between the light and shadowed areas. One of the T-posts is grouped with the light side of the tree, the other is in contrast with the deep shadow.

Propane

The propane tank lurking like a submarine in the bushes caught my eye, along with whatever that rusty metal cylinder is next door.

Grass Spider Web (Precipice Pano)

Another take on the view from the precipice, this time in a vertical pano format to get in the entire sweep from the cliff edge beneath my feet to the horizon and sky. I noticed a bedewed grass spider web at my feet and was struck by the dramatic sense of scale created by this tiny spider setting up shop atop a 128 foot bluff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the edge of the planet, and beyond.

Watercolor in vertical panorama format depicting view from edge of cliff overlooking beach and ocean stretching out to horizon and sky. In the foreground is grass and bracken and the web of a grass spider.

Cape Cod precipice

Our rental at the Cape was perched atop a 128’ bluff. I attempted to render the view down to the beach in a watercolor sketch. It was challenging to indicate the height and steepness. I did consider adding a Wile E Coyote silhouette at the bottom.

Watercolor sketch looking down on beach and surf from high vantage point atop bluff. Scrubby foliage in foreground and in patches on steeply descending cliff face.

Monday, August 25, 2025

75th Annual National Exhibition of Traditional Realism at Arts Center East

Very gratified to learn that my drawing Rebecca has been accepted to the 75th Annual National Exhibition of Traditional Realism at Arts Center East.

Exhibition Dates: October 12th – November 2nd, 2025

Reception/Event: October 12, 2025 1pm-4pm. Awards announced at 3pm.

Location: Arts Center East, 709 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon, CT

www.academicartistsassociation.org

I’m totally chuffed to report that my work will be part of the inaugural Hampden Gallery Triennial exhibition, Reflecting on the Past/Dreaming the Future, a featured exhibition of the Fine Arts Center’s fiftieth anniversary celebration. The exhibition invites viewers to reflect on the past, engage with the present, and imagine what is yet to come.

Hampden Gallery

On view: September 12 – December 3

Reception: September 12, 5-7 p.m.

Friday, July 25, 2025

7th Annual Northeast Fine Arts Exhibition.

River Valley will be included in the upcoming 7th Annual Northeast Fine Arts Exhibition.

Pencil drawing of young woman with short dark hair looking back over her shoulder. Behind and below is a river valley with a small city, bridge over river, and distant hills.

Workshop 13

13 Church Street

Ware, Massachusetts 01082

Show Dates and Times:

August 23rd to September 7th, 2025

Fridays 4 to 7 pm, Saturdays & Sundays | 1 to 4 pm

Opening Reception Saturday, August 23rd | 1 to 4 pm, awards at 3 pm

https://workshop13.org/

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