Tag Archives: figurative artist

Thanks to Washington Project of the Arts

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GoingYellow

Going Yellow by Washington, DC Artist Leslie Nolan 30″x40″ acrylic on canvas

Want to just say a few words about the wonderful work of the Washington Project for the Arts, the premier arts organization of the nation’s capital.  WPA sponsors workshops from art curators around the world to provide guidance and support to emerging and mid-career artists in this area.  And, it sponsors curated art exhibits throughout the District, including at its brand new street level gallery location in North Shaw, a block from Howard University, at 2124 H St NW.   It’s a significant contributor to the vibrant art scene of this area.

I was honored to participate in its biggest fund raising event, the Auction Gala, which took place a few weeks ago.

 

The Palette Knife

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CorrectedVision11

Corrected Vision 11 by Leslie Nolan Washington, DC Artist

CorrectedVision12

Corrected Vision 12 by Leslie Nolan

For these two recent paintings I used  scraping tools – palette knives, drywall joint implements, and stir sticks – in the figure, leaving brushwork for the background.

Because scraping results in a less predictable outcome, many “happy accidents” lend immediacy and freshness to the work.  The paints smear together in a totally different way from brushwork, and repeated passes build a texture that lends a rich gravitus of age/history/artifact to what is really a contemporary look.

Also, note the figures are posed in profile, something I generally avoid.  This stiff pose generates a whiff of old-master-hanging-in-a-dark-museum.   It seems void of emotion.  But, combined with scrapes, smears, drips and some wild color, the figure becomes a vessel of possibility.  Perhaps, even intrigue.

 

Portraits – State of Mind

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HearingtheLight

Washington, DC Artist Leslie M. Nolan’s “Hearing the Light”

I do ascribe to the theme that people are more, much more, than they look.   These two paintings aim at pulling out the inner core and daring exposure for all to witness.  Both feel like an exhilarating moment, steeped in uncertainty.  While the works defy labels, as figure paintings they’re not exterior likenesses, but rather, states of mind.

CorrectedVision10

“Corrected Vision” by Washington, DC Artist Leslie M. Nolan

Washington Project for the Arts

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Auction_Invite-Header

Washington DC Artist Leslie Nolan Exhibits at WPA Auction Gala

7 Curators +100+ Artists

Saturday, April 9, 2016, 7-11 pm

1333 H Street NW, Washington DC – three blocks from the White House

Cocktails, dinner, curated silent auction, dance party

Fancifully irreverent attire

For tickets, artist & curator info, and more visit http://www.wpadc.org, or contact Nathalie von Veh at nvonveh@wpadc.org

 

Nolan @ WPA Auction Gala

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https://www.wpadc.org/about/people/leslie-nolan

lesliepaintingbighead

Leslie Nolan, Washington, DC Artist, Working In the Studio

The Washington Project of the Arts Auction Gala is coming up Saturday, April 9, 2016, 7-11 pm.  Am thrilled to be one of the featured artists displaying a painting selected by WPA Board Member Rod Von Lipsey.  Tickets for this special Washington, DC event can be purchased on the WPA website.  In the interim, the link above features a Q and A with yours truly.

Nolan @ Strathmore

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Installing Face To Face
Washington, DC Artist Leslie Nolan at Strathmore Mansion in Bethesda, MD

Check out Face To Face:  Portraits By Leslie Nolan and Scott Hutchison on exhibit now through April 17, 2016 at the Invitational Gallery, The Mansion at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD 20852.

My portraits are not meant to be a technical likeness of a particular person, but to depict what is felt rather than what is seen.  Because I spent another career keeping secrets in my work abroad, my current interest is to express in painting universal feelings which remain largely hidden in real life.  Many of us cloak ourselves behind a veneer of success and confidence despite situations in our lives which wreak havoc with our emotions.  In these artworks, we peek into the subjects’ inner worlds as economic, political and social realities swirl around them.

 

 

 

“Face to Face” Opens at Strathmore

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Face-to-Face.jpg

Washington DC Artist Leslie M. Nolan

Eight figurative paintings of mine are now featured at Strathmore in this exciting two-artist show.  On exhibit through mid-April, “Face to Face” coincides with the delightful Japanese-inspired exhibit of kimonos, prints & textiles titled “Timeless Transformation,” part of the 2016 National Cherry Blossom Festival.  Many thanks to curator Harriet Lesser and Gallery Visual Arts Coordinator Gabrielle Tillenburg for their support and expertise.

Face to Face: Portraits By Leslie Nolan & Scott Hutchison

Strathmore Mansion Invitational Gallery

5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD       301.581.5146      strathmore.org

Feb 27 – April 17, 2016       Opening Reception Sunday Feb 28, 2 pm

FacetoFace2

Backward in Time by Leslie M. Nolan

At Strathmore With “Face to Face”

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GameChanger

Contemporary Fine Art by Leslie Nolan

Getting ready to install my 8-piece show at Strathmore.  Curator Harriet Lesser has paired me with another artist for this exciting exhibit in the Invitational Gallery:

FACE TO FACE:

PORTRAITS BY LESLIE NOLAN & SCOTT HUTCHINSON

Saturday February 27 – Sunday April 17, 2016

Opening Reception Thursday March 3 at 7 pm

10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD

http://www.strathmore.org

The theme for the exhibit is based on our work in portraiture, examining the individual points of view of two artists.  For my own selections, my “portraits” convey emotion.  They’re not meant to be a technical likeness of a particular person.  Whether beginning with a model or photograph of a model, I then distort and exaggerate the pose or expression to suggest controlled chaos.  I imagine the individual in these paintings as reacting to money or job-related issues, loneliness, semi-stable environments, or familial concerns.  Filled with ambiguity, the paintings are meant to invite the viewer to make a personal interpretation.

New York City With Gallery NK

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DisSix

Dis Six by Washington, DC Contemporary Artist Leslie Nolan

Great news — My artwork will be heading to the Big Apple in April.  Yes, New York City for the huge show Art Expo with Gallery NK.    More on this exciting event as we get closer to spring.

Right now I’m getting used to the new studio space.  There is nothing like a pristine clean space and an untouched white canvas to give an artist pause.  It’s somewhat of a daunting prospect. New tarp on the floor, fresh plastic protecting recently drywalled areas, and the painting table formerly used to hold the computer is unmarked, too.  I started slowly with a small painting for a show this May for The Arts Club of Washington, and that allowed me to go farther and really christen the studio this week with spilled and dripped paint from a larger canvas.  The upshot — all feels back to normal and congenial to mark-making.

The Leslie Nolan Art Studio-Water Damage

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Last month my studio experienced the dreaded “water damage,” resulting in the loss of lots of older artwork, ruined walls and equipment, and finally a month long rehabilitation/reconstruction project.  During this time, of course, no new artwork could be done.

Now, however, like a phoenix this studio has been transformed into an efficient, spacious workplace.  Forced to clean out billiard and ping pong tables, hiking/camping gear, canoe, skis, etc., I ultimately found breathing and thinking room.

So, while I don’t recommend water as a method of renewal, in this case the damage spurred some much needed change. Every once in a while clearing out the space one uses for inspiration can prove stimulating to creativity.

Below, some after photographs and one image of the space in a state of massive confusion while fresh wallboard replaces the water-logged stuff.   I am definitely now ready to start some new art pieces!

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