Yareah Magazine

By John Nolan

Go to John Nolan's Picture Gallery

If I understood why I paint, I probably would have stopped by now because I would have found what I was looking for, and thereby lose the need to explore and develop.

Painting for me is a  life long journey of exploration, my need to create Art is as strong as anyones need to live.

The subject of my work is colour. My paintings have been inspired by many artists including  Vincent Van Gogh, Howard Hodgkins, Tony O Malley, Albert Irvin, Louis Le Brocquy, Picasso, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Matisse, the list is endless.

My working method for both abstracts and contemporary pieces is similar. Obviously the paint is more freely applied when attacking an abstract. Each painting is built up using a solid field of saturated colour, on top of which even more intense and pure colours are laid. I use acrylics which are very versatile and can be easily adapted to either thin or impasto effects without losing intesity.

Most of my work takes place on the canvas. Prepatory sketches are fleeting and are only used in order to work up the courage to attack the blank canvas - A new canvas is alway a frightening sight for any artist.

The proverbial agony and ecstacy that is the artist's lot ( often more agony than ecstasy) is something we all have to live with, except when we are guided by that powerful creative force where everything falls into place and we manage to produce that rare masterpiece, not knowing how we really did it, and unable to recapture it. This is the spur that drive me onward.

Over the course of my career, I have assembled a visual language of motifs, which is evident in my contemporary work. I simplify the image in order to explore the colour combinations. Bold outlines combined with bright colours define the compostion and transmit an upbeat feeling. Primitive cave paintings are a great source of inspiration for me. Across the centuries we can still relate to these striking images that proves the power of shape and colour.

I have explored many themes through my comtemporary style over the years and at present I am working on a series of paintings paying homage to the great masters. I incorporate images and allusions from the paintings of the great masters into my work. This series contrasts my motifs with many of the great icons of art history. I have attempted to make elegantly economical use of simple motifs which are explored in various compostions.

Music has always been very important for John. His abstract work is hugely inspired by Jazz.

For John, art is a visual language, an important means of communication, he creates each piece as a unique experience - " Art is everywhere, all around us, all we need to do is open our eyes and enjoy, art is for everyone" says John.

Only my muses know what the future holds and they are not forthcoming - despite the odd pint of Guinness.

Go to John Nolan's Picture Gallery

John Nolan John Nolan was born in Dublin -  Ireland in 1958. For John, painting is in his blood, he has been painting since the age of 7 due the influence of his father who was also an artist. As a child I was literally surrounded by art. The walls and ceilings of our house were covered in murals and friezes by my father. Our small bedroom was decorated with scenes from Hollywood movies, and on the ceiling his magical paintbrush had created scenes from the Sistine Chapel. With my father's continued encouragement and support I entered many art competitions here in Ireland and at the tender age of 7 was selected as one of the winners. The thrill of the accasion turned my young life around : I wanted to be an Artist. After briefly attending art college, I realised it wasn't for me. My foundation course had been completed many years previously - my upbringing with the daily drawing and painting lessons brought to life by my father's expertise and enthuasiasm and the weekly visits to various exhibitions and galleries. After many years working  in a representational style the focus of my work eventually became colour. I explore colour through my  abstract and contemporary styles. Since finding my direction in art, I have  developed a very distinctive style which is instantly recognisable and creates a new and exciting dynamic. Most people expect to hear I live in some exotic location and fail to understand how I can produce such a riotous celebration of colour while living as I do in the watery greyness of Dublin, famous for the blackness of its Guinness !  What I put on canvas is pure creative exploration from my imagination, I use an inspirational palette. John has also seen life on the other side of the fence. He was once a gallery owner. He ran a small establishment called The Basement, a friendly place where browsers were treated to a cup of tea and a chat. "It was too Utopian to work. Generally, it's not a good idea for artists to go into the gallery business." John was nominated by the International committee, as one of the artists to represent Ireland at " The Biennale Internazionale Dell Arte Contemporanea " (The florence Biennale, Italy) which  took place in Florence in December 2003. It was a great honour for John as an Irish Artist to represent Ireland at this international venue, and a great honour, yet again, to be recognised internationally. For more informtion  about  John Nolan and his work please visit www.nolanart.com