Norman Nelson's Artist Profile
Norman Nelson from Boise, Idaho, United States
i like artist
I have always sought out serene landscapes and wild creatures in Idaho's pristine wilderness. I backpack in carrying watercolor art materials for quick sketches. From these I create oil paintings using a combination of impasto techniques, some with painting knives, others with more traditional layering approaches. Layers of oil paint add luminance. I am drawn to the heavy, clean, texture of oil paint that has been mixed on glass without any influence from medium, or brush residue. Nature is a composition of textures which oil paint and the knife help to reveal in my goal of impressionism. I've moved traditional watercolors to abstraction by taking simple images from nature and decisively suggesting them in watercolor, ink, salt, and scraping the surface while still wet. I hope the viewer is inspired by the presentation of work that opens a door, provides a pathway into a vast landscape in a large painting. Painting actual places provides true evidence of nature and man together. I do my best to give an impression of my experience with a landscape and to the people it attracts. Finally, I hope to keep the viewer in the painting by finding an eye line that is not escaped until the rewards are felt. It is best to view my work with a long look as these images need to sink in before they connect.
Artist's Statement
I have always sought out serene landscapes and wild creatures in Idaho's pristine wilderness. I backpack in carrying watercolor art materials for quick sketches. From these I create oil paintings using a combination of impasto techniques, some with painting knives, others with more traditional layering approaches. Layers of oil paint add luminance. I am drawn to the heavy, clean, texture of oil paint that has been mixed on glass without any influence from medium, or brush residue. Nature is a composition of textures which oil paint and the knife help to reveal in my goal of impressionism. I've moved traditional watercolors to abstraction by taking simple images from nature and decisively suggesting them in watercolor, ink, salt, and scraping the surface while still wet. I hope the viewer is inspired by the presentation of work that opens a door, provides a pathway into a vast landscape in a large painting. Painting actual places provides true evidence of nature and man together. I do my best to give an impression of my experience with a landscape and to the people it attracts. Finally, I hope to keep the viewer in the painting by finding an eye line that is not escaped until the rewards are felt. It is best to view my work with a long look as these images need to sink in before they connect.
Mentored by portrait painter John Collias in traditional oil approaches since l980. Working watercolor into abstracts from nature using ink, salt, pastel, and heavy scrapping. Presently developing "Wilderness" a 20 piece exhibition of oil, watercolor, and pastel images from Idaho's most wild places. Began painting in Junior High School and took art at Boise High. Minored in Art from George Roberts at the University of Idaho, graduated with BA in Journalism. Director/cameraman with Echo Film Productions since l980. Art Showings and projects: Maryhill Museum of Art, selected artist for the Sustaining Agriculture in America Art Project with 12 other Pacific Northwest Artists 2006. Showings: McCall Arts Council Show, Charlie's Garden show 8 years running. McCall Arts and Crafts Show, McCall, Idaho Timberstand Gallery, Sandpoint, Idaho, Plein air paint out Brown's Gallery, Boise Dead Bird Gallery, Boise Jefferson House, Boise Piazza de Vino gallery, Boise Hardrock Gallery, Boise Art Under the Stars, 2 shows, Boise Marketplace Idaho Photographic and Art Christmas Show Aurora Design and Fine Art, Boise Emerging Artists, Boise Marketplace Art and Roses Spring show, 5 years, Boise National Sports Foundation Art Auction, Park City, Utah Three artists Christmas Art Show and Sale Bald Eagle Days Boise State University Wildlife Art auction Tamarack Resort Art and Jewelry Show St Lukes Hospital Gallery, one man show, Boise