Thank you very much for visiting – I’m thrilled to have you here, and to introduce you to my new website. I’ve been working on this site for several years, behind-the-scenes, as I was also producing many other projects. As a very significant labour of love, I am pleased to present the new site. I would love to show you around a bit. (more…)
Most of us go through life looking without really seeing.
While this doesn’t always directly cause major problems, everyone can benefit from practicing more active seeing.
For photographers and other visual artists, being able to see effectively is the most important skill you can develop.
To demonstrate how easy it is to have your eyes open but not really be seeing, try this simple exercise:
When you regain present moment awareness, immediately notice that while you were concentrating on that memory, the input from your visual systems was effectively put “on hold”. While your eyes were still open and generally taking in your surroundings, your brain was otherwise engaged.
In this state or mind, you’re looking without really seeing. This example demonstrates how the eyes and brain must be working in tandem to fully take in and understand what we see. (more…)
Like most people, I am blessed in many ways. The birth lottery has been good to me and I’m thankful every day for all the health, safety, comfort and opportunities that my life provides.
And I am most grateful for the gift of sight. Not a day goes by without experiencing moments of true amazement provided by this most vital of our human senses.
It’s a sad fact that most sighted people take their vision for granted. Maybe this is to be expected — but it shouldn’t be. Human vision can provide a gateway to the most awe-inspiring moments of a lifetime, and this should be fully appreciated and actively nurtured. Thus my guiding mission in life is to share the joy of active seeing and help other people gain the benefits that this awareness can provide.
Though I’ve had fairly normal vision my entire life, it wasn’t until I reached my early 30s that I really began to see. Like most people, while growing up I was never taught about the different states of consciousness, or even that there are varying levels of awareness that all people experience every day. So, like most, I experienced life in a pretty much semi-conscious state — just another zombie among the hordes!
As a kid, I had always been passionately involved in both music and the visual arts, pursuing both with zeal until my mid-20s. I played several instruments and long aspired to be a professional musician, all while simultaneously developing a career in graphic design and media production.
Ultimately, I chose the path of the visual artist. I studied life and figure drawing; I practiced airbrush illustration, I worked a day job designing logos, websites and printed marketing collateral. This all eventually led to my present business serving the fine arts.
One of the most important lessons I learned in my art studies is that it takes practice to see what is really there. What something really looks like versus what we think it looks like. With each encounter, we bring our past, our preconceptions and our personal bias to the experience. (more…)
When you share your photography with other people, is the reaction not what you expected? Or have you entered images into a competition or juried exhibition and been disappointed with the results?
Of course, photography — like all art — is subjective and beauty certainly ‘is in the eye of the beholder’.
But if there consistently seems to be something lacking in your photography, a new approach might be worth consideration.
To consistently make stronger photographs, you need to apply a design methodology to your image-making.
Design is just as important in photography as it is with other creative works. A design process includes identifying and solving problems, making conscious choices and working to achieve a specific outcome. (more…)
I’ve just published a new book of my abstract photography; a collection titled Shapeshifter.
You can now preview and buy the book at Blurb.
Lee Krasner has long been one of my favourite abstract painters. She was the wife of Jackson Pollock (and I prefer her work to his…).
As a photographer, I find the most inspiration in these kinds of paintings. I work to create a similar effect using the camera instead of paint.
Here’s a great article about the woman and her work following Pollock’s death.
I’ve just published the latest issue of my newsletter:
We had a super time at the Castle Ashby art festival last weekend… attendance and sales were good, and people really responded enthusiastically to my abstract mixed media works.
Here’s what one visitor said: “I was blown away by your stand! My wife and I are planning a big redesign of the house this summer and would love to feature your work. A big ‘thank you’ to you and Ruth for exhibiting at Castle Ashby this year – we visit every year and this year was made special by discovering your work.”
Nice!
Here’s a fun video produced by the organisers of Leicester’s Open 27 exhibition at the New Walk Museum & Art Gallery.
If you pay attention you can see them hanging my two abstract works on canvas, right around the 30-second mark.
Ruth and I had a great time at the opening reception for my abstract art show at the Brick Lane Gallery in London! Thanks to everyone who came out to see the show, and thanks to Lucy and her associates at Brick Lane for putting on a fantastic exhibition.
I’m exhibiting four abstract, mixed media works on canvas in a group exhibition at Brick Lane Gallery in Shoreditch, London’s East End. All my works are for sale.
The Preview and opening reception is Wednesday, 11th November 6–8:30 pm.
The show runs through November 22.
The Brick Lane Gallery
196 Brick Lane
London E1 6SA
Rob Krueger at Take & Talk Pics and I recently recorded a conversation in which we talked about about art, photography, business and life.
If you’d like to find out more about my work, my background and philosophy listen to the 30-minute recording here.
Asian Hospitality magazine recently interviewed me for an article about how hotel owners and operators can improve the art in their hotels.
Read the article here >
I’ve recently completed a major overhaul of my main Artist Statement.
For all artists, working in any medium, writing about our work is an essential practice that carries surprising power. The artist statement is usually written after producing the visual works, as a way to explain the motivation and rationale behind the work. Often, collections, series and bodies of work may have their own individual statements. Sometimes a statement will be written in advance, to guide the production of a series.
The process of creating a statement also has incredible informative value toward the production of future work. When we dig deep to find answers, the process of writing our main Artist Statement can be challenging—to say the least. I reckon my current version underwent at least three dozen revisions. Below is one of my later drafts, before I really started the severe edits that resulted in the final version.
(I’m sharing this draft because this gives deep insight into how and why I do what I do, and why I’ve chosen this path in life. Much of this material was cut for the final, concise version; still some people might be interested in more detail…)
As always, thanks for your interest in my work, and please get in touch if you have any questions or there’s anything I can help you with. — Cheers, Nat
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Visual beauty and good design influence our happiness and well-being. Beauty can be found everywhere, but it’s not always obvious. Contemplating abstract imagery is beneficial for our minds.
My work is about discovering, sharing and appreciating the captivating, interesting and surprising imagery that can be found in any kind of place, natural or manmade. (more…)
I’ve always loved the effective use of well-coordinated, monochrome interiors.
I also make a lot of monochromatic art, such as the image to the right.
Monochrome simply means one hue (aka color or ‘chroma’).
A monochrome design can use varying shades—lighter and darker tones or values of the same hue—to create visual interest.
A pure monochrome scheme can have a very serene, calming, zen-like effect. To add sizzling sparks of visual energy, accentuate the design with pops of contrasting color.
So what do you think? Do you like monochrome treatments? What are your favourite hues to use in monochrome designs?
On 13th November, 2014 we hosted the opening reception for my exhibition Anima Astratto: Journey Into Perception at the St James Hotel, Nottingham. The turnout was fantastic and we all had a great time looking at and talking about the art. Below are photos from the event.
My next solo exhibition opens Friday, 14th November at the St James Hotel in Nottingham, England.
I’m showing 20 abstract mixed media works, featuring photographs made over the past nine years in locations around the world.
The show runs through 3rd January. If you’re in the area, please visit the show!
In November 2013 we held a private viewing of my abstract art at the historic Belmont Hotel in Leicester, England.
I’ve [finally] posted the photos of the event. Click the image or click here to see the gallery.
We’re excited to announce that Nat’s art and photography is now being represented by DAC Art Consulting, one of the premier art consulting firms based in the U.S.
DAC has been serving the art consulting needs of the hospitality, healthcare and corporate sectors since 1982 and has a long tradition of developing creative artistic solutions that provide a customized setting for every client.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, DAC works with both U.S. and international clients.
NEWH UK has invited me to join their Board of Directors as Publications Chair. I’m excited and honored to serve this excellent organization and looking forward to doing great work together!
This weekend we hosted a stall at the Makers Mart, held at the Curve Theatre in Leicester. We had a great turnout (and good sales) with lots of people stopping by to say ‘hi’ and see my work on display. Thanks to everyone who attended, and especially our new collectors!
A work of abstract art invites the viewer to interpret the picture for themselves. Looking at abstract imagery can become very personal as the imagery triggers memories, inspires emotions and asks more questions than it answers. Our experiences, preferences and preconceptions come into play as the mind yearns to make logical sense of colours, shapes and textures that seem strangely familiar…yet somehow remain just beyond the grasp of true comprehension. The appreciation of an abstract work of art is enhanced through an awareness of feelings, rather than seeking to draw concrete conclusions.
This inspiring exhibit presents eighteen large-format abstract works on canvas by American artist Nat Coalson. Many of the works in this exhibit are being shown publicly for the first time.
Get more details about the exhibit here >
You and your guests are invited to join us for the reception and private viewing. Please join us for an evening of fine art, canapés and drinks, laughter and friendship!
Ignes Fatui: The Light Beckons
Abstract Works by Nat Coalson
Thursday 14th November 2013 between 17.30 to 21:00 (GMT)
The Pedestrian Gallery
At LCB Depot
31 Rutland Street
Leicester. LE1 1RD
United Kingdom
http://www.pedestrian.info/
We hope you’ll join us!
During November 2013, we’re presenting a solo exhibition of Nat’s abstract, mixed media works in Leicester, England. The exhibit will be held over a period of two weeks, commencing with a reception at the historic Belmont Hotel in Leicester on Saturday 9th November. Then, beginning Tuesday 12th November, the show will hang at the Pedestrian Gallery in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter. The exhibit concludes Monday 25th November.
Save the Date! We’re hosting an art show and reception at The Belmont Hotel in Leicester, England the evening of Saturday, November 9, 2013. Nat will present nearly two dozen of his original fine art works, most of which are being exhibited publicly for the first time. The main feature of the show is a collection of abstract, Limited Original works on canvas, hand-embellished with clear acrylic paint. You simply must see these unique, mixed media pieces in person to fully appreciate the incredible texture and depth of these signature works. Nat will also give an artist talk about his innovative creative process. We’re finalizing details and will be sending invitations in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
