John Nolan is an Irish artist from Dublin. His beautiful work encompasses a number of painting styles and uses bright colours and strong imagery to portray uplifting and warm atmospheres.
Many thanks to John for sharing his art insights with us! Before jumping into his interview below, check out his work that's available to buy on his website.
Artist Interview
What's the latest piece of art that you have put out into the world?
My latest painting is from my abstract series of work, I created it during the Christmas period and finished it on new year’s day 2021. When working on my abstract pieces, I paint what I feel, while listening to music, mostly jazz. The main subject of all my abstract paintings is colour, a celebration of colour, I never know where the journey will take me, or when I will finish, a mystery tour. I am never in complete control of the process, guided by my feelings, not what I see.
What drives you to keep creating?
I have been painting for more than 60 years, my father was an artist and he and my mother told me I started drawing in my pram. They would give me crayons, to keep me quiet, and before I could speak or walk I was creating match stick men. I know I have an urge to paint each day, I feel incomplete if I don’t produce something. My whole life has been dedicated to art, I don’t know anything else, and I can’t do anything else. The driving force which keeps me creating is something I am unable to put into words, it is part of the creative process which is ever present.
Is there another artist's work that you would recommend, and why?
I also teach art in my studio, so I meet a lot of other artists, who are very talented, too many to list. I have known the artist Gerard Glynn for many years, a true creative, a monumental talent. If I had the money I would buy all of his work.
Do you have any advice for creators that are just starting out?
Creativity has many forms, I would say, create what you feel, not what you see, your emotions and feelings will always guide you in the right direction. Creativity in any form will always repay you, maybe not always in a financial way, but it is scientifically proven that taking part in creativity or observing a creative process, will always produce the happy hormones, endorphins. The happy hormones transform you into a more positive, well-rounded person, they will enrich your life continually.
Where can we find your work?
My work is available to view and buy on my website – www.nolanart.com
I work from my studio/ gallery in Drumcondra, where I invite the public to visit and view my work. At the moment due to the pandemic, my art classes and viewings have been excluded from opening, hopefully when all this has passed, I can resume the art classes and the viewings. My work is also on show in The Sea Rooms Gallery, Monkstown - https://www.thesearooms.ie/
My prints and greeting cards are available in The Hugh Lane Gallery Bookshop, Parnell Square, Dublin.
In the meantime everything is available on my website, and I have also uploaded a few free art class videos.
Image Details
Modern Landscape / City.
"The Autumn Leaves" - This piece is exploring a forest scene, a favourite
subject of mine when working in this style. The subject again is colour, a
celebration of colour.
Stylised style
"Homage to Vincent" - The Vincent Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam contacted me in February 2019
asking permission to use my Homage to Vincent in their exhibition - The
Painter of Sunflowers - June 21st to September 1st 2019. This was an amazing
honour, as I am a major fan of Van Gogh, whose work has inspired me for many
years. My homage series is a work in progress, which pays homage to the
great artists.
Modern Landscape/ City
"Ha'Penny Bridge Dublin" - This is another favourite subject for me, I
have painted the bridge nearly as many times as Paul Cezanne has painted
Mont Sainte-Victoire in Provence.
Abstract
"Culture Night 2020" - I create an abstract each year on culture night, a
celebration of colour, this piece is acrylic and gel medium on stretched
canvas, varnished.
