We dropped in to check out the Athenaeum Gallery Invitational Exhibit today and have lunch at the nearby fabulous Restaurant Eve. My dancing purple hipster high on the wall makes an impact. Thanks to Athenaeum Executive Director Kelly Mechling for greeting us and taking photos. This exciting exhibit remains open at 201 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA through Nov 6. And, don’t forget my solo exhibit there in August 2017!!
The Athenaeum Gallery Invitational opening proved elegant and lively with friends, fellow artists and art aficionados. Check out my purple dancing hipster (kudos to my husband for serving as the model for this series) displayed above Anne Marchand’s exciting abstract. Many thanks to Gallery Director Twig Murray, President Amy Heiden, and sponsors TTR/Sotheby’s International Realty. On exhibit through November 6 at 201 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA. nvfaa.org
Where Now 8 By Washington, DC Figurative Artist Leslie Nolan
See this dancing hipster of mine at the Athenaeum Invitational Exhibition through November 6. Generously sponsored by TTR/Sotheby’s International Realty, the show opens Sunday, September 25 with a reception from 4-6 and features Megan Beyer, Executive Director for the President’s Council on the Arts and Humanities, awarding prizes.
Twig Murray, Gallery Director of the Athenaeum, conceived and organized this event. She also scheduled a solo exhibit of my work there for August 2017. Looking forward to that…
Love the Reston Patch’s descriptive title for its story on this exhibit: “Spectacular Art Pieces from 30 Artists Now on Display in Reston.”
https://player.vimeo.com/video/172174631
Washington, DC Artist Leslie M. Nolan with her painting Under Wraps 4 in the Mary B. Howard Exhibition at the Greater Reston Arts Center
Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE)
On display through August.
Greater Reston Arts Ctr, 12001 Market St, Suite 103, Reston, VA 20190 – http://www.restonarts.org
Under Wraps 4 by Washington, DC Artist Leslie M. Nolan
http://restonarts.org/exhibition/mary-b-howard-memorial-artist-member-exhibition/
Excited to have been chosen by curator Stefanie Fedor, Executive Director of the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, VA to exhibit “Under Wraps 4″ at the Greater Reston Arts Center in Reston, VA from June 30 – August 27, 2016. Just completed two months ago, this 36″ x 48” painting forms part of a new series.
Exaggerated features, in-your-face, bold, and drippy all describe this painting. GRACE enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a cutting edge gallery featuring the best of current artwork from around the country. It’s mission is to promote excellence in contemporary visual art.
Opening Reception: June 30, 2016, 6-8 pm
GRACE: 12001 Market Street, Suite 103, Reston, VA 20190 restonarts.org
This month marks Touchstone Gallery’s 40th year in existence here in Washington, DC. An incredible accomplishment given the ups and downs of the economy coupled with the fact that so many galleries have closed over the years. I am proud to have served as a co-owner and member from 2010 to 2014, on the Board of Directors and as two-term Vice President.
To celebrate this special anniversary, the gallery chose to invite former member artists to exhibit along with current members in a stunning show that brought out an all star cast of talented folks. A jam packed evening with the crowd spilling out onto the sidewalk, the gallery celebrated its longevity, innovation and resilience in great style. Lots of exciting artwork. Kudos to Touchstone…
Touchstone Gallery 40th Anniversary Exhibit
Open now through May 28 902 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC
Washington, DC’s Gallery NK has been representing me at special art fairs outside of town. I was one of a handful of their artists to exhibit at Artexpo New York City on pier 94. Held during April 14-17, the event drew designers, collectors, and art enthusiasts.
I very much like the way Gallery NK displayed a selection of my new Corrected Vision paintings — all 36″x36″ acrylic on canvas. Because the gallery boasts a collection of very talented, skilled, and innovative artists from around the world, I consider myself fortunate to be showcasing my own work with them.
Gallery NK at Artexpo New York City
In addition to myself, exhibiting artists included Steffen Faisst, Nihal Kececi (Gallery NK owner), Julia Hacker, Alfredo Palmero, Thomas Dodd.
My thanks to Nihal Kececi of Gallery NK for the support and expert assistance in exhibiting at these world class international fairs.
Just a reminder:
Susan Calloway Fine Arts represents me exclusively in the Washington, DC area.
Located in the heart of Georgetown at 1643 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC, the Gallery graciously welcomes my exhibiting in other local venues from time to time for special exhibits. She also has arranged for some artwork to be used temporarily by local decorators.
Bottom line, you can see a number of my pieces right now at Susan Calloway’s. And, many of the paintings on my website LeslieNolan.com and on this blog are available through Susan Calloway Fine Arts (gallery@callowayart.com).
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.
Corrected Vision 11 by Leslie Nolan Washington, DC Artist
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.
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.
“Corrected Vision” by Washington, DC Artist Leslie M. Nolan
contemporaryimagesdotcom 