Tag Archives: Susan Calloway Fine Arts

Nigel

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Nigel, 48″x36,” acrylic on canvas by Washington, DC-artist Leslie M. Nolan

Nigel made its way to SCOPE Miami Beach 2018 with me and caused quite a stir at the JanKossen Projects booth.  Filled with emotion, the painting features rich, thick, and creamy paint in large gestural sweeps.  Drips, drops and smudges all add to a chaotic mix, much like life itself.  Thanks to Jasmin Kossenjans and her terrific staff for taking good care of me and mine.

My paintings are also available at Susan Calloway Fine Arts, Washington, DC — http://www.callowayart.com.

Flip-Side at Hill Center Galleries

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Join me at my solo, Flip-Side, 17 new figurative paintings at Hill Center Galleries.  Located in the historic Old Naval Hospital, the building was constructed during the Civil War.  It’s a beautiful, stately structure on Capitol Hill at 921 Pennsylvania Ave NE, Washington DC. http://www.hillcenterdc.org.

Also, remember that Susan Calloway Fine Arts in the historic neighborhood of Georgetown represents me in Washington DC — 1643 Wisconsin Avenue, Washington DC.  http://www.callowayart.com

Washington Post Reviews “Seduction”

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Washington DC Artist Leslie Nolan’s Red Man

Join me for a Gallery Talk Sunday, Sept 10 at Athenaeum, 2 pm, along with Erich Keel, PhD, formerly head of education at the Kreeger Museum and erudite/fascinating art historian.  Seduction closes Sept 17.

Seduction on Exhibit

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Opening of Seduction at the Athenaeum.  Some 14 artworks of mine, including many brand new pieces never exhibited before. Thanks to Athenaeum Gallery Director Twig Murray and the wonderful staff, as well as Susan Calloway and her great staff at Susan Calloway Fine Arts for making this exhibition possible.

Gallery Talk takes place Sunday Sept 10 at 2 pm with myself and Dr L Erich Keel, formerly Head of Education with the Kreeger Museum of Washington DC

 

Seduction @ Athenaeum

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Washington DC-artist Leslie Nolan with Pulled By What Would Be

In partnership with Susan Calloway Fine Arts of Washington DC, the Athenaeum Gallery in Alexandria VA presents Seduction, a solo exhibition of paintings by Leslie Nolan.

Seduction

Aug 10-Sept 17

Athenaeum Gallery

201 Prince St, Alexandria VA

Gallery Hours are Thurs, Fri and Sun, 12-4 pm; Sat, 1-4 pm

Opening Reception:  Sunday, Aug 13, 4-6 pm

Gallery Talk:  Sunday Sept 10, 2 pm

The Gallery Talk features the artist and Dr L Erich Keel, formerly Head of Education at the Kreeger Museum in Washington DC.

 

At Susan Calloway Fine Arts

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Serge, 30″x30″, by Washington, DC Artist Leslie M. Nolan

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These newly completed paintings are now available at Georgetown’s Susan Calloway Fine Arts — 1643 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007.  http://www.callowayart.com

This grouping of paintings features fresh jazzy figures that have the feel of society on the edge. With  mostly vivid colors and painterly brush strokes, I’ve tried to maintain a blur between the real and imagined.   They have a contemporary aesthetic that’s infused with emotional tension.

As always, ambiguity and ambivalence rule.  All interpretations of these figures remain valid, possible, even probable.  I prefer that my paintings address those things that do not lend themselves to easy description.

Art In Situ

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Selecting the right artwork can be tricky.  It’s always a good idea to see it in a residential setting – a test for tone and style within a room.  I personally like art that makes me think and provides a lively counterpoint to otherwise static elements of furniture.  Some people prefer a more peaceful, languid feeling.  Everyone has a different goal for their personal space.

Regardless of preference, trying something out in the room for size and impact makes sense.  Whether stimulating or calming, a one of a kind, handmade work of art will elevate the area and make it special.  If it doesn’t work, you can always return it to the gallery for another piece that meshes just right with your preferences and objectives.

Here, I’ve displayed some newish pieces at home before delivery to the gallery.  Each makes a unique focal point, but I think they look good together, too.

Readying for Artifact Gallery Solo

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fbcover2017Some of my newest work that will feature in a solo exhibit at New York City’s Artifact Gallery during March 2017.

It’s always challenging to put together a cohesive, yet excitingly surprising exhibit.   Style, canvas size, color, texture, pose, feeling, and theme all contribute to making a consistent message. But, it’s critical to shake things up with punctuation marks that give a rhythmic jolt to the whole.  Like music, visual arts rely on surprise, sparkle, and the unexpected riff for interest and dash.

Once everything has been painted, the critical curatorial step remains:  move the artwork around the space until the show taps out a lively beat with plenty of unanticipated punctuation.

Until then, find my artwork every day at Susan Calloway Fine Arts, in Washington, DC’s trendy, historic Georgetown.

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.