Art Essex Gallery Invitational

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

Masur Museum of Art

Catherine, 36×36 painting on canvas by Washington DC artist Leslie Nolan

Honored by the selection of this interesting painting in the 58th annual juried exhibition of this terrific art museum in Monroe, Louisiana. Due to renovations, the exhibit is on view at the North East Louisiana African American Heritage Museum. On display through May 2021.

New Work for Spring

Love these bold and colorful faces I just completed. They’re fun and a true celebration of color. They feel alive!

Harris

Image

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

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!

NYC Invitational

Honored to have two paintings in this prestigious exhibition juried and curated by George Billis of George Billis Gallery of NY and LA. Available online at http://www.artessexgallery.com through December 31, 2020.

Scott, 48×36 painting on canvas by Washington DC artist Leslie Nolan

Next Avenue

https://www.nextavenue.org/4-second-act-artists-picturing-success/

Very excited to be featured in this article by Robert F. James in the Public Broadcasting Service online journal, Next Avenue. And, thanks to Danielle Glosser, Principal of Client Raiser, for putting us together.

Sylvie, 48×36 painting on canvas by Leslie Nolan, Washington, DC artist

Standing Out

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

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

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.