Nick Ward Online » figurative http://nickwardonline.com Nick Ward is a Boston area artist and designer Tue, 08 May 2012 19:36:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Another Colaborative Piece http://nickwardonline.com/another-colaborative-piece/ http://nickwardonline.com/another-colaborative-piece/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 21:24:12 +0000 Nick Ward http://nickwardonline.com/?p=1190 I have been in the studio this week working on another collaborative piece. In many of my paintings I have experimented with text elements in different ways but this time, I decided to approach it from a different direction. Generally, I will search around for some segment of text (often times taken from the writings of the talented models) to hijack for the paintings. Words will get swapped, sentences will be moved around, meanings will be distorted and played with and a sort of word collage will happen that will then be layered over the painted image.

This time I handed control of the text over to someone else. It was just dumb luck really, I was sitting in the studio, struggling over the phrase to use in this painting and got a call from a friend of mine – he said, “Hey we have a lot of friends that are working on some amazing projects… why don’t we collaborate more?” Perfect timing. I sent Mitchel Heard (who happens to be, among other things, a songwriter and poet) the image for this portrait that night and asked him to come up with a phrase or two. I was pretty interested in how this little experiment would work out, two (possibly conflicting) interpretations of the same image coming together into one piece. Whether I liked what he came up with or not, it was going to be featured prominently in this painting – fortunately he nailed it.

I won’t reveal the text he came up with yet but, here is a shot of the painting in progress after the first few days or work:

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]]> http://nickwardonline.com/another-colaborative-piece/feed/ 0 Good Day in the Studio http://nickwardonline.com/good-day-in-the-studio/ http://nickwardonline.com/good-day-in-the-studio/#comments Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:12:49 +0000 Nick Ward http://nickwardonline.com/?p=1165 The sun is shining, the paint is flying and it is a good day in the studio. I am pushing forward on this piece, trying to increase the range of sharp to softer areas to really make this composition do what I want.

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]]> http://nickwardonline.com/good-day-in-the-studio/feed/ 0 New Mixed Media Pieces http://nickwardonline.com/new-mixed-media-pieces/ http://nickwardonline.com/new-mixed-media-pieces/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:54:44 +0000 Nick Ward http://nickwardonline.com/?p=1155 Here is a quick image of the first of the new set of mixed media pieces. I am planning on making 4 of these in various colors with slightly different treatments of the paint. Sending this first one over to Lot F Gallery for the show opening this Friday. Check it out.

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]]> http://nickwardonline.com/new-mixed-media-pieces/feed/ 0 Image For The Next Mixed Media Piece http://nickwardonline.com/image-for-the-next-mixed-media-piece/ http://nickwardonline.com/image-for-the-next-mixed-media-piece/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:32:42 +0000 Nick Ward http://nickwardonline.com/?p=1149 I have the image all ready to burn to the screens for my next mixed media piece. It took quite a bit of time to get it just right so, I may make two of each color this time.

These screen print/paintings will share similar imagery as my next painting, I am hoping that offering some smaller, more inexpensive options will help fund even larger, better paintings. So my plan is to offer small prints or mixed media pieces that will also serve as studies for a larger painting. With that said, here is a peak at what I have started painting, based on this idea and some studio time with these models.

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]]> http://nickwardonline.com/image-for-the-next-mixed-media-piece/feed/ 0 Untitled (For Now) Nude Study http://nickwardonline.com/untitled-for-now-nude-study/ http://nickwardonline.com/untitled-for-now-nude-study/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:15:34 +0000 Nick Ward http://nickwardonline.com/?p=1144 Still trying to find the right title for this painting but, except for putting a final coat of blue on the background (to make it flat and even) and a few other finishing touches, I am calling it done. I plan on sending this one over to Lot F next week so, come on out to the opening on Friday the 3rd and check it out in person.

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]]> http://nickwardonline.com/untitled-for-now-nude-study/feed/ 0 Lot F Gallery presents THREE http://nickwardonline.com/lot-f-gallery-presents-three/ http://nickwardonline.com/lot-f-gallery-presents-three/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:54:58 +0000 Nick Ward http://nickwardonline.com/?p=1136 Next month I am participating in a show over at Lot F Gallery along with two of my favorite Lot F artists, Josh Falk and Sean Flood. I will be showing some of my large paintings along with the next set of mixed media pieces. As always, the art will be good, the people will be interesting and the beer will be free so, be sure to come by the opening.

Facebook members can join the event page here

Lot F Gallery presents THREE

Works by

  • Sean Flood
  • Nick Ward
  • Josh Falk

New works from three Boston artists. Each with strong and distinct styles. A number of large substantial works will be available, as well as a range of other pieces.

Refreshments will be provided

For more information and pre-sale appointments email info@lotFgallery.com

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]]> http://nickwardonline.com/lot-f-gallery-presents-three/feed/ 0 Updates From Nick’s Studio http://nickwardonline.com/updates-from-nicks-studio/ http://nickwardonline.com/updates-from-nicks-studio/#comments Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:49:11 +0000 Nick Ward http://nickwardonline.com/?p=1130 I have done a bunch of work on this piece since the last time I posted it. Still searching for a fitting title for this piece and I will need to refine the dark areas a bit more before it starts to look really good but, it is shaping up to be one of my best pieces yet (do I always say that?).

Here is a closer look at all the colors and details that are making up the skin tones and textures, you can see the areas that are more finished, and the areas that still need to be mellowed out with the final skin tones:

Really tried to pack as much as possible into the flesh (as usual) without going overboard. With this one nearing completion, I have set it aside temporarily to start a new diptych which will include a male face (finally). I had the models over to the studio for the first time a couple of weeks ago and the two panels are off too a good start. Should have the first preview of the progress on that piece posted later this week. I also have another screen print/oil paint, mixed media piece based on the same imagery in the works that should be ready in February. So, if you liked the last batch, start saving your pennies now because it will be another limited run, this time of 4 different colors/editions (CMYK).

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]]> http://nickwardonline.com/updates-from-nicks-studio/feed/ 0 Feature in Abstraks Mag http://nickwardonline.com/feature-in-abstraks-mag/ http://nickwardonline.com/feature-in-abstraks-mag/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:17:29 +0000 Nick Ward http://nickwardonline.com/?p=1099 I recently sat down to talk with Carina Wine of Abstraks Magazine. After reading her profile of Adam O’day I knew I would be in good hands and the article did not disappoint. So head to abstraks.com or, click on the image below to go straight to issuu.com and read the feature (along with a great look at the Distillery Gallery) in the December 2011 issue of Abstraks.

If you want to read more, check out past interviews with Poets And Artists Magazine and with my friends from Papercut Fashion Magazine.

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]]> http://nickwardonline.com/feature-in-abstraks-mag/feed/ 0 Nude Progress and Open Studios Deal http://nickwardonline.com/open-studios-deal/ http://nickwardonline.com/open-studios-deal/#comments Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:30:31 +0000 Nick Ward http://nickwardonline.com/?p=1068 artist page can take home a free art print. I will post some more details once I figure out exactly how it all works.
click to read more...]]> I am finally starting to feel at home in the new studio and the paint is starting to flow more easily again. Made a lot of progress on this painting. I originally started this to have a brand new painting for people to see at Open Studios but, as usual the painting just wants more time and attention so it will not quite be ready in time. In any case, here is the progress on this latest piece:

Speaking of Open Studios, I have decided to try out a Facebook deal for the event. Anyone who comes to Studio 405 to hang out for a while that check’s in at my artist page can take home a free art print. I will post some more details once I figure out exactly how it all works.

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]]> http://nickwardonline.com/open-studios-deal/feed/ 0 Another Nude http://nickwardonline.com/another-nude/ http://nickwardonline.com/another-nude/#comments Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:44:00 +0000 Nick Ward http://nickwardonline.com/?p=1058 Since my last piece, “Bored Nude” sold so quickly I decided to get back into the studio and start work on another sort of combination nude/portrait. I always enjoy pieces that sort of force you to make direct eye contact with the model while you invade these private moments so, I am keeping on the same path with this new painting. The image is similar to the ones I chose for the Kenji collaboration piece but, with a less harsh crop and a bit stranger of a viewpoint.

Decided to bring back some color into the background since the grey fall weather is moving in. It has been a slow start as I have been adjusting to working in the new studio but I think I have caught some momentum and should have a lot more progress to post soon.

Speaking of the Kenji collaboration piece, here is an up to date image, taken with an actual camera of that painting. I got the second panel from Kenji and I am pretty excited to get back to work on this one as well.

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