“Oluf” at Ethos

Washington, DC-artist Leslie M. Nolan’s “Oluf”

This highly personal artwork has just been juried into the National Exhibition “Ethos: Spirit of Community” at the Fredericksburg Center for Creative Arts Gallery. Opening on August 1, 2020, the exhibit runs through the month, featuring work juried by guest curator Carolyn Goodridge.

“Oluf,” 36×36 inches is an acrylic painting on stretched canvas completed in 2019. The artwork is a highly personal image, the imaginary visage of my great grandfather Oluf who immigrated to Montana from Norway in 1857. Having left his home due to crop failures and economic poverty, he sought a better life in the United States, and became one of the earliest pioneers in the Farmington area where he ranched and raised a family.

His story in this painting exudes the feeling of independence, resourcefulness, tenacity and daring which characterizes both strong pioneer temperament and immigrant experience.

New Work in Studio

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IMG_20200211_21010539668″x64″ mixed media on canvas, titled Jenna, in the studio. Bigger is definitely better and more fun.  This charming, clever gal makes a terrific addition to any space, forming a witty backdrop to conversation and creativity.  Contact the artist for purchase.

At the LA Invitational

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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.IMG_20180729_170227_934

Award Winner of Hill Center Galleries Regional Juried Exhibition

 

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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

http://www.hillcenterdc.org

 

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.

 

Just Finished Artwork

Gallery

This gallery contains 2 photos.

  Two acrylic-on-canvas paintings with completely different feel and affect.  One, young vital, upright and confident — the other, a study in motion and instability, tentative and anxious.   The colors remain the same, only reversed.  But, gestural brushwork and pose … Continue reading