When I first began making these paintings in the late 60's it represented a logical progression from the Pop Art related work I had been doing since I began painting. Realism as such was all but unheard of in any sophisticated mode and any realistic imagery based on photography bordered on sacrilege. This was prior to terminology being coined such as "Sharp Focus Realism", or "Superrealism", and finally the name that stuck, "Photorealism".
After showing for many years as an early "Photorealist" and a "Figure Painter" in major shows of the period, I became aware that only a small part of my feelings about painting were shared with other "Photorealist" painters; their work being cool and devoid of emotional content while mine tended to lean toward more visceral or emotional issues and conventional figure painting seemed to be time worn and showing it's age. These feelings have never left me and I find myself now involved and reflecting upon the same dilemma, striving to do paintings that excite me and fulfill my needs while enabling me to express my feelings in visual terms.
Jerry Ott
After showing for many years as an early "Photorealist" and a "Figure Painter" in major shows of the period, I became aware that only a small part of my feelings about painting were shared with other "Photorealist" painters; their work being cool and devoid of emotional content while mine tended to lean toward more visceral or emotional issues and conventional figure painting seemed to be time worn and showing it's age. These feelings have never left me and I find myself now involved and reflecting upon the same dilemma, striving to do paintings that excite me and fulfill my needs while enabling me to express my feelings in visual terms.
Jerry Ott
