Jeff Mathison

I have always been an artist. Raised in the Philadelphia suburbs, I graduated from Penn State in 1972 with a BFA degree. I so enjoyed the combination of town culture and woodsy countryside, that I never left Centre County, Pa.

I’ve worked with many media and subjects. In recent years I settled on watercolor as my primary tool. I enjoy the way it has a mind of its own and I have to collaborate with it to earn a good painting. I paint landscapes, both plein air and from photo. I also work a lot with the figure, from life or photo.

I continue to work as a freelance illustrator, specializing in illustrated maps for books and other publications. I recently provided over 30 illustrations for a popular book on genetic manipulation, "A Crack in Creation", by Jennifer Doudna and Sam Sternberg. In 2007, I created new maps for a reissue of the Princess Bride, by William Goldman.

Recent shows include:
2022 “Tangle” was accepted into the 45th Annual International Exhibition of the Houston Watercolor Society.

2022 “The Influencer” was accepted into 155th Annual International Exhibition of the American Watercolor Society.

2021 “Distant Rain” was accepted into the 5th Annual San Diego Plein Air Exhibition, juried by Joseph Zbukvic

2021 - ”The Veteran's Journey" won the Frank Nofer Memorial Award at the Philadelphia Watercolor Society's 121st Anniversary International Exhibition of Works on Paper! Mary Whyte was the juror.

2021 “Jumping In” received the The Kashiwa Legacy Award at the 40th annual Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors, NY.

2020 “The Return” was accepted into the 100th Anniversary National Watercolor Society International Open Exhibition.