The studio in winter, with good light streaming in from window doors, makes a happy place to be as wild and crazy, bold and risky, unexpected and original as any artist could desire. Neatness does not count! The important thing is to try something new. Trust oneself.
This is the first painting of 2021 completed in the studio. The January chill in the air mandates bundlng up in painted layers of silk, flannel, wool, and down quilting. Perhaps that explains the choice of white and icy blue in Sara, above. The rust-red helps to impart a warmer feel to this free-wheeling painting. I think we should all be celebrating the move into a new year promising hope and change. Fingers crossed!
Three new pieces in the studio. Left to right: Jesse 20×20; Sonny 36×36; Sigrid 20×20
Love the feel of these three pieces. Each carries his/her own personality and character, filled with ambiguity and charm, strength and concern. Their commonality lies in their uniqueness – a singular take on modern life and survival. Each individual is one of a kind, exceptional and extraordinary. Every human being carries a unique signature, like DNA, that reflects how life has been lived and how it’s to be continued. Rare, strange and different are high accolades, not something to be shunned. Better to stand out than fit in.
Contact the artist for details: leslie@leslienolan.com
Or, gallery@callowayart.com
See more paintings on instagram @leslienolanstudios
There’s something about September in the studio. With the door open to the woods outside, the air feels different. Like the coming of fall. Full of hope and refreshing cool breezes. One of my favorite collectors left the studio yesterday with a captivating large artwork for a new space. As always, I’m humbled when collectors knock on my door for more. And, I’m on fire to do more…
I’m so honored to have my enigmatic painting on the cover of the September 2020 issue of American Psychologist Journal. Now in the custody of one of my collectors, this painting has always been one of my favorites. I like the color, the movement, and the ambiguity. I feel yellow always conveys hopeful and positive emotions
The title comes from a poem by Theodore Roethke, a Pacific Northwest poet much beloved during my undergraduate years. Both poem and painting exude a sense of loss as well as moving on into the future. The image imagines a confidence and purpose as the figure continues on the journey. More on this in a future post.
Happy fall to all of you.
New pieces completed during the lockdown when everything was closed due to the spread of coronavirus. I think these both reflect the odd emotions engendered by staying home and not in control.
Hope you find interesting this online studio visit for my solo exhibit in Washington, DC at Calloway Fine Art & Consulting.
This is a small sample of my solo Divergent Impulses at Calloway Fine Art & Consulting in Washington, DC, available online through June 5. All new and exciting figurative work out of my imagination. Most of the 15 paintings featured in the show are 36×48 canvases. I think they make any room in the home or office more interesting.
Check out:
https://callowayart.com/divergent-impulses
Dave, 48×36 painting on canvas by Washington, DC artist Leslie Nolan
My solo exhibit at Calloway Fine Art & Consulting is now available online for viewing and for purchasing:
http://callowayart.com/divergent-impulses
You’ll find 15 artworks as well as a video featuring a visit with me behind the scenes in my studio.
This orange figure is 60×36 inches, acrylic and house paint on canvas by Washington, DC-artist Leslie M. Nolan
Very honored to be juried into the Spring Exhibit of the prestigious Maryland Federation of Art in Annapolis. Originally planned for the Circle Gallery, the coronavirus pandemic has caused the exhibit to be online at the organization’s virtual Curve Gallery. Check it out at http://www.mdfedart.com.
A big thanks to juror Paul Reuther, artist and teacher at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD. He also teaches at the Corcoran School of Arts and Design at George Washington University in Washington, DC. In addition, I want to highlight the terrific work of the talented staff of Maryland Federation of Art for their considerable efforts during this difficult period.
The exhibit is available online through May 30 and this piece is for sale.
