PATRICIA HARPER MATHEWS

Practicing for over 30 years, artist Patricia Harper Mathews is best known for capturing coastal scenes, historic buildings and other, well-known local landscape areas. They are among her most favorite subjects.

St. Catherine’s Island can be seen in many of her landscape paintings. Mathews’ ties to the island runs deep. Her grandfather and uncle were former caretakers. Her mother was raised on the island. Her father, paternal grandfather and brother also worked there. Ultimately, her paintings reflect the beauty of St. Catherine’s, each inspired by cherished memories that often reveal a very personal connection with the island.

Her Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival Shrimp (right) remains a highly recognizable image to locals.

Preferring oil painting for its translucent and sensuous qualities, Mathews often tones her canvas with red orange before painting to represent our wonderful sunset hues and glow that grace our marshes.

Mathews has also meshed her artistry with sharing her love of teaching children. She designed a prototype for a Down’s Syndrome doll, and illustrated a college book on science and thinking skills.

She earned a Bachelors and a Masters Degree in art from Georgia Southern University, has taken graduate classes in studio art at Savannah College of Art and Design, and the University of South Carolina.

Mathews’ works have been shown at the Columbia Museum of Art, City Art and the Workshop Studio in Columbia, S.C., at the 3rd Floor Gallery and Savannah Gallery in Savannah, Ga.

Patricia Harper Mathews lives and creates in Richmond Hill, Ga., and is a member of the Arts on the Coast.