Nan McDowell's Artist Statement

Welcome to my art. I find that visually presenting the human condition through expression, particularly the eyes, is where I feel most rewarded. You will see the many styles I have pursued along my journey. Working with multiple color pallets, I realized that color helps create the background noise of the message. I feel my personal strength lies in more monochromatic tones with a splash of color. For paintings of people, I occasionally use photos to get the proper angles of the body. Frequently, my people come to me as I think about a certain feeling I want to express. I start with a quick pencil sketch. Occasionally, the original concept is sketched with paint directly onto the canvas. I layer with glaze and swaths of gesso. Abstracts allow me to explore the impact of color, not necessarily evoking an emotion. My abstracts are usually the result of a way to recycle a painting that never quite worked out.

 My first oil painting was done with a kitchen butter knife.

I started out with a heavy hand and was more comfortable with large strokes and

pallet knives. I have since learned that even the smallest brush stoke can

produce a large impact. My paint of choice is now acrylics. 

My two careers, health worker and educator, surrounded me with all

levels of emotion, human frailties, and joys. I have had a lifelong fascination

with people watching.  My mind’s-eye continues to explode with ways to

create on canvas, the struggles and joys of being human.  As an artist I

will never be through transposing a feeling through the canvas, and hopefully,

into the soul of the viewer. Please enjoy!