Working in the studio on my newest painting, Anton, 48″ x 36″ acrylic on canvas.
In the Studio
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Category Archives: Washington dc artist
At the LA Invitational
Washington, DC Artist Leslie M. Nolan and model/actor John Wisor at the George Billis Gallery LA
From the opening night party of the LA Invitational at George Billis Gallery. The wonderful John Wisor featured prominently in a collaborative video between myself and artist/videographer/photographer Anthony Dortch (instagram@dortchdesigns). Soon to be posted here. The video highlighted another painting in the Corrected Vision series, and luckily enough John turned out to be the perfect model to represent the living subject of the series. Mirabile dictu!
If you’re in Los Angeles, drop by George Billis Gallery in the Culver City Arts District to see the show, up through August 25.
LA Invitational
Excited to have Corrected Vision 5, far right, selected for the LA Invitational at George Billis Gallery LA. A great art city, Los Angeles celebrates contemporary art with a ton of top notch galleries and first rate museums. Kudos to gallery director Tressa Williams for organizing and curating this super show.
LA Invitational at George Billis Gallery
Corrected Vision 5, 20″x20″ acrylic on canvas, by Washington DC Artist Leslie M. Nolan
Just shipped this handsome guy to George Billis Gallery in the Culver City art district of Los Angeles for the LA Invitational. I’m honored to be in this exhibit, curated by Tressa Wiliams, Gallery Director. If you’re in the area, stop by and see the show.
By the way, George Billis Gallery is also in New York City, located in the heart of the Chelsea art district.
George Billis Gallery
2716 S. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Show Dates — July 28 – August 25, 2018
Opening Reception — Saturday, July 28, 6-8 pm
Award Winner of Hill Center Galleries Regional Juried Exhibition
Under Wraps 3, 36″x48″ acrylic on canvas, by Washington DC artist Leslie Nolan
Many, many thanks to juror Annette Polan for selecting this cute painting for the highly competitive regional exhibition on Capitol Hill and conferring it Third Place. A renowned nationally-feted portrait artist, Annette knows her figures. She painted the official portrait of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Thanks also to Exhibitions Director Nicky Cymrot and her staff for making this possible.
The exhibit closes September 23, so there’s plenty of time to drop by and catch the show:
Hill Center Galleries
at the Old Naval Hospital, 921 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington DC
Last Week of Flip Side
Washington DC Artist Leslie Nolan in the Studio
Flip Side, my solo exhibit at Hill Center Gallery in the Old Naval Hospital, is on display through June 23.
Location: 921 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington DC. http://www.hillcenterdc.org
Solo Exhibit at Hill Center
Some images from my 17-painting solo exhibit Flip-Side at Hill Center Galleries. The show is up through June 23. http://www.hillcenter.org
Flip-Side at Hill Center Galleries
Join me at my solo, Flip-Side, 17 new figurative paintings at Hill Center Galleries. Located in the historic Old Naval Hospital, the building was constructed during the Civil War. It’s a beautiful, stately structure on Capitol Hill at 921 Pennsylvania Ave NE, Washington DC. http://www.hillcenterdc.org.
Also, remember that Susan Calloway Fine Arts in the historic neighborhood of Georgetown represents me in Washington DC — 1643 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington DC. http://www.callowayart.com
Getting Ready for Hill Center Solo Exhibit
Karl, 30″x24″ acrylic on canvas, is one of 17 artworks that form Flip-Side, my upcoming solo exhibit at Hill Center Gallery on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Many thanks to Gallery Director Nicky Cymrot for the opportunity.
These abstracted figure paintings continue a theme I’ve been developing over the past several years – that is, depicting what is felt rather than what is seen. Featuring ordinary people in states of vulnerability, confusion or courage, the paintings focus on moods as interpreted by facial and body language, vibrant color and bold brushwork. There exists a public side that we present to the world, and a private flip-side that reflects doubt and turmoil. Loss of control frequently pervades, as though the subject has been taken outside his or her comfort zone. Sounds like a modern, topical theme for today’s life, doesn’t it?
Flip-Side
On Exhibit May 3 – June 23, 2018
Opening Reception Wednesday, May 9, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Hill Center Gallery at the Old Naval Hospital
921 Pennsylvania Avenue NE, Washington DC
http://www.HillCenterDC.org — info@hillcenterdc.org — 202.549.4172
The Making of a Painting – Leon
An artwork starts with an idea – what to convey. Since I strive for ambiguity, I think Leon (above) achieved that goal.
Then decisions about how best to convey that idea. In my case, it comes down to paint on canvas, color choices, close up or full body image of the figure, placement in the rectangle, whether tools will be brush or palette knife, shiny or matte finish…
All decisions affect the outcome and feel of the artwork. These choices – i.e., the process – become mere means to an end. The critical issue remains, “What is the goal?”
I always start with a quick cartoon on blank canvas. Expanding on that, I then add background color on the figure to integrate the figure with its surroundings, and spend the rest of my efforts working on an overall unified piece that results in a stand-alone, wow image never seen before. In between sessions there is time to dry. But, I find that overworking can kill an artwork, so less is more.
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