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November Issue 2005
Waterfront Gallery in Charleston, SC, Offers Works by Jeannette Cooper Nicholson
Waterfront
Gallery in Charleston, SC, is featuring works by Jeannette Cooper
Nicholson, its newest member, through Nov. 30, 2005.
Nicholson is an intuitive colorist whose current
work in oils is focused on "floral portraits". Her paintings
are about the beauty and fragility of life. She has chosen to
take her forms from nature and her expressions from her heart.
The technique of using layers of transparent pigments to build
up layers allows the underlying colors to show through and helps
achieve the luscious color that she is known for.
"I feel that this is what really gives the painting more
light and body. Sometimes I get comments, even from other artists,
that I must use an airbrush to get that effect because of the
layers and how smooth they are," she says. "But I purposefully
try to recreate that look because the flowers themselves are so
delicate and translucent."
Achieving that look isn't easy, though, because most of her subjects are only in bloom for a single day. To be able to paint them, Nicholson takes hundreds of photographs.
"I rely on the photos to help me recall the play of light and shadows on the petals and the richness of color. The key is not to rely too heavily on the pictures, though. You have to let the painting dictate to you and lead you where it wants to go. That's when painting really gets fun," the artist says.
Living on the barrier island of Johns Island, SC, Nicholson pursues her passion while painting blooms from the garden of her husband Jim, who is a Master Gardener.
For further information check our SC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 843/722-1155 or at (www.waterfrontartgallery.com).
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