Tag Archives: faces

Corrected Vision #2

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Corrected Vision #2 by Washington, DC Artist Leslie M. Nolan

Corrected Vision #2
by
Washington, DC Artist
Leslie M. Nolan

One of three paintings in a series, Corrected Vision #2 relates to how we see the world and how the world sees us.  There is more than what is known through the eye.  Body language, scent, gentleness or violence all inform the real person behind the facade.

The great George Bridgman of the Art Students’ League in New York asserted, “The difference in drawing is in what you sense, not what you see.  There is other than that which lies on the surface.”  While Bridgman no doubt referred to musculature and skeletal structure, I expand the interpretation of his comments to mean the substance of who we are – our heart and soul.

I know some say the eyes are the windows to the soul, but I like to think that our minds — our ability to feel and connect — really count.

 

Inner/Outer @ Susan Calloway Fine Arts

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Washington, DC Artist Leslie Nolan's "Choose To Walk Here" 36"x36"x2 1/2" acrylic on canvas

Washington, DC Artist Leslie Nolan’s
“Choose To Walk Here”
36″x36″x2 1/2″ acrylic on canvas

In focusing on figurative paintings, I have been hinting primarily at emotions largely hidden in real life.  This theme involves depicting what is felt rather than what is seen.  In this new work the subject has been caught in a private moment of personal awareness.  He claims his space, but remains alert.  There and not there.

Inner/Outer, the title for my upcoming exhibition at Susan Calloway Fine Arts in Washington, DC, will feature this painting.  It exemplifies the tone of the show.  While distinct, each canvas suggests a kind of chaos which has just occurred, which could occur, or which is occurring.  The outer facade may appear calm and controlled, yet the inner reality seethes with passion – courage, tenacity, rage, confusion, vulnerability, etc.  Is that what it means to be human?

More Corrected Visions

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Leslie M. Nolan's work in the studio

Leslie M. Nolan’s work in the studio

Washington, DC Artist Leslie Nolan's "Corrected Vision"

Washington, DC Artist Leslie Nolan’s “Corrected Vision”

These new paintings are meant to complement Corrected Vision, now on exhibit through August 1 at McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) in its curated and juried exhibit “Strictly Painting.”  Curated by senior curator for modern and contemporary art at The Phillips Collection.

If you miss the MPA show, some or all of these will be in my solo exhibit in September at Susan Calloway Fine Arts, Georgetown.

I like the idea of playing with an idea and carrying it further.  Kind of like expressing a different tone or meaning of the same subject matter.  For these paintings, the subject revolves around one idea:  young or old, it’s easy to develop a blind spot.  Maybe that’s called survival.  Maybe denial.

McLean Project for the Arts

1234 Ingleside Avenue    McLean VA 22101    phone 703.790.1953    http://www.mpaart.org

 

 

 

 

 

‘Unfiltered’ at Touchstone Gallery, Washington, DC

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Fabulous opening at Touchstone Gallery of my “Unfiltered” exhibit.

Smart Isn’t Enough

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Smart Isn't Enough By Contemporary Figurative Painter Leslie M. Nolan 36"x36" acrylic on canvas

Smart Isn’t Enough
By Contemporary Figurative Painter Leslie M. Nolan
36″x36″ acrylic on canvas

Making one’s way through life is tough.  Nikki Giovanni’s poem “Straight Talk” provided the feel and title for this new piece, because its words capture the image’s  idea of moving forward despite uncertainty.

Full disclosure, this photographic rendering fails to capture the nuance and richness of the original artwork.  I’m sure everyone on earth knows that computer monitors, as well as film, lighting, and digital manipulation all alter reality.  Despite photographers’ best efforts, an image can never duplicate 100% the original.  It can hint.  It can titillate.  It can encourage the viewer to go see the painting in a museum or gallery.  For artwork, there is no substitute for the real thing – the brushwork, hints of uncovered color, a deep teal hue blending into a rich gray, punctuated by cadmium orange.

In that sense a work of art reflects life.  A photo of Machu Picchu cannot begin to duplicate the feeling of being there in the mountains, the wind eratically bending grass, smells of foliage, tactile feel of rock work honed by the hands of citizens from an ancient, long gone civilization.

This one-of-a-kind painting will be at Susan Calloway Fine Arts in September 2015.

There’s A Limit

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"There's A Limit" 36"x36" acrylic on canvas by Leslie M. Nolan

“There’s A Limit”
36″x36″ acrylic on canvas
by Washington, DC Artist Leslie M. Nolan

Dropped by Susan Calloway Fine Arts over the weekend and caught the lively action of the annual French Market, outdoors along the sidewalks of Georgetown’s Book Hill neighborhood.  Good food, shopping bargains, and musicians right at Susan’s doorstep.  Ran into friend and fabulous jazz bassist Bhagwan Khalsa who was playing with a group across Wisconsin Avenue.

I had just begun this artwork and was affected by the vibrancy of the street to return to the studio to crank up the color quotient.  The results speak volumes.  Neutrals always make  colors next to them stand out, and that’s the case here, although orange and magenta are pretty bold no matter what’s next to them.  Can you discern a fondness for orange…

This artwork will form part of my solo exhibit at Susan Calloway in September 2015.

“Getting Somewhere”

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"Getting Somewhere" 48"x48" acrylic on canvas by Leslie Nolan, Washington, DC Artist

“Getting Somewhere”
48″x48″ acrylic on canvas by Leslie Nolan, Washington, DC Artist

I’ve been tweaking this artwork for a few days. I liked its drawing-like, graphic feeling and overall black and white simplicity.  Yet, it seemed almost too quiet for a “Nolan.”  I fiddled with the image a bit in a graphics program on line, and printed the basic image.  Then took felt tip pens in hand and experimented with some color for pop.  As soon as I drew in an orange tie, the “ah ha” moment arrived.  I grabbed my brush and added the tie into the painting.  It provides a feeling of movement and lightness and even light-heartedness that lifts the image into another plane, I think.

Yellow Alert

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"Yellow Alert" by Washington, DC artist Leslie Nolan

“Yellow Alert” by Washington, DC artist Leslie Nolan

Just completed this artwork. Working on a couple of companion pieces. Inspired by spring, renewal, regrowth, possibilities, the affirmation of life.

A recent visit to Baltimore’s Walters Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art provided the inspiration for this piece.  Armor, strength, vision, and persistence all come to mind as attributes I tried to imbue into the painting as the figure evolved. The title links the color coded emergency status developed after 9/11 with the predominance of yellow in the painting.  And, I think the figure itself projects a feeling of alertness and confidence capable of taking on any unforeseen event.

Also, a reminder that I’ll be having a solo exhibit in September 2015 at Susan Calloway Fine Arts in Georgetown.  Susan exclusively represents me in the Washington, DC regional area.  This artwork above will form part of that solo show.

Latest Artworks

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"Pretending To Be Brave" 48"x48" acrylic on canvas

“Pretending To Be Brave”
48″x48″ acrylic on canvas

Just about completed, I think.  Both paintings have a completely different feel to them.  One feels cool, and the other warm. One bold, the other quiet. Both appear a bit mysterious.

"Bones Glow Through Skin" 36"x36" acrylic on canvas

“Bones Glow Through Skin”
36″x36″ acrylic on canvas

Happy New Year

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Washington DC Artist Leslie Nolan's "This Can't Go On"

Washington DC Artist Leslie Nolan’s “This Can’t Go On”

Just finished this new artwork – loose, exciting and unforgettable.  Have been thinking a lot about my mother and that there exists a linkage between mothers and daughters that transcends time, distance, and culture.  My mother has been and always will be my strength.  This artwork, though it bears no resemblance to her, has a strength and implacable perseverance that puts me in mind of her.

This upcoming new year represents a break from the past, so I have joined a new gallery, Susan Calloway Fine Arts in Georgetown, Washington, DC and am working on solo shows slated for September at both Calloway and the Delaplaine Arts Center in Frederick, MD.  2015 should be a fabulous year.

I wish you all the best!