Tag Archives: visual art

At the LA Invitational

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LeslieandJohnWisoratLAInvitational

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

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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

LA Invitational at George Billis Gallery

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Corrected Vision 5, 20″x20″ acrylic on canvas, by Washington DC Artist Leslie M. Nolan

Just shipped this handsome guy to George Billis Gallery in the Culver City art district of Los Angeles for the LA Invitational.  I’m honored to be in this exhibit, curated by Tressa Wiliams, Gallery Director.  If you’re in the area, stop by and see the show.

By the way, George Billis Gallery is also in New York City, located in the heart of the Chelsea art district.

George Billis Gallery

2716 S. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

http://www.GeorgeBillis.com

Show Dates — July 28 – August 25, 2018

Opening Reception — Saturday, July 28, 6-8 pm  

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

 

Last Week of Flip Side

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Washington DC Artist Leslie Nolan in the Studio

Flip Side, my solo exhibit at Hill Center Gallery in the Old Naval Hospital, is on display through June 23.

Location:  921 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington DC.  http://www.hillcenterdc.org

Solo Exhibit at Hill Center

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img_20180511_112854403Some images from my 17-painting solo exhibit Flip-Side at Hill Center Galleries. The show is up through June 23. http://www.hillcenter.orgimg_20180511_113003940_burst000_cover_top

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

Getting Ready for Hill Center Solo Exhibit

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Karl, 30″x24″ acrylic on canvas, is one of 17 artworks that form Flip-Side, my upcoming solo exhibit at Hill Center Gallery on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.  Many thanks to Gallery Director Nicky Cymrot for the opportunity.

These abstracted figure paintings continue a theme I’ve been developing over the past several years – that is, depicting what is felt rather than what is seen.  Featuring ordinary people in states of vulnerability, confusion or courage, the paintings focus on moods as interpreted by facial and body language, vibrant color and bold brushwork.  There exists a public side that we present to the world, and a private flip-side that reflects doubt and turmoil. Loss of control frequently pervades, as though the subject has been taken outside his or her comfort zone.  Sounds like a modern, topical theme for today’s life, doesn’t it?

Flip-Side

On Exhibit May 3 – June 23, 2018

Opening Reception Wednesday, May 9, 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Hill Center Gallery at the Old Naval Hospital

921 Pennsylvania Avenue NE, Washington DC

http://www.HillCenterDC.org — info@hillcenterdc.org — 202.549.4172

The Making of a Painting – Leon

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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.