Category Archives: figurative artist

Naked to the Bone

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This exciting solo exhibit features many of my newest abstract figurative paintings. Like all of my artwork, it explores the blur between reality and the imagined, depicting emotions and feelings.

The title Naked to the Bone is particularly apt because it comes from one of my favorite poems by Pacific Northwest poet Theodore Roethke, much celebrated in the 1950s and 1960s. The poem “Open House” expresses the emotion of having your innermost feelings on show – I think it has particular relevance for this special exhibition:

“My secrets cry aloud…I’m naked to the bone”

d”Art Center Norfolk, VA Solo Exhibition

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Am selecting pieces from the studio for my upcoming solo exhibit at d’Art Center, Norfolk, Virginia July 1 – 25, 2021. This newly completed painting, Roy 48×48 inches, may make the cut. I particularly like the way the black color grounds and strengthens the figure, making a powerful and compelling statement against the lush background. It epitomizes the rich relationship between ourselves and our surroundings, often at odds, yet inevitably part of one another.

d”Art Center Norfolk, VA Solo Exhibition

Art Essex Gallery Invitational

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Art Essex Gallery is currently featuring these two paintings above, James and Naranja, both 40×30 inches acrylic on canvas completed in 2021. Check out the gallery’s Invitational Exhibition available online through May 15 at http://www.artessex.com.

Juried by New York City art critic and art writer David Masello, the exhibition focuses on the unpredictable, the best and most exciting feature of a work of art. “Unpredictable” is a great word – the opposite of expected and boring. Can’t begin to tell you how that word has informed my art practice over the past years. I hope you enjoy these two vibrant and exciting pieces above from this exhibition. We all need to look at the world differently as life constantly evolves and changes. I think these two lively pieces reflect the unexpected from me.

To see more work, visit instagram at leslitnolanstudios, Calloway Fine Art & Consulting, and http://www.leslienolan.com

Harris

Image

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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.

Sara

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Sara, painting on canvas 48″x36″ by Washington, DC artist Leslie M. Nolan

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!

Standing Out

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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

In the studio

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Washington, DC Artist Leslie M. Nolan in her Virginia Studio

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…

American Psychologist Association

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I Went, Not Looking Back, 36×36 painting on canvas by Washington, DC artist Leslie M. Nolan

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.