Light/ Intangible

Recently, I have been examining what role light can play in my work. I create surfaces that invite the viewer to touch, through the multiple planes built on the surface. Light is interesting because of its inability to hold. I find the idea of tangible and intangible full of opportunities. Light can be behind the panel, almost creating a physical thing that can't be touch. The panels can have surfaces inviting touch. Dark spaces and light also presents interesting opportunities for installation and sculptural work.

Que Houxo

Below is a link to a short article on Japanese artist Que Houxo. He produces paintings in front of a live audience, using black lights and fluorescent paints. The photographs of his work is stunning, as well as the great video. Enjoy!


Que Houxo

Major Changes

Hello. As I create more work and continue heavy research, I have decided to rework my blog format. Recently, I added a link to my CV. This addition lets the viewer go directly to a blog containing my resume, which will change as more shows and awards occur. My CV also has a link to go back to Nicholas Fenell... Texture, Senses, and Inspirations.

In a week, I will have another blog linked off of Nicholas Fenell... Texture, Senses, and Inspirations. This blog will be strictly a gallery of finished work. On this blog, prices, titles, and information about the work will be given. To contact me, just visit the CV blog for information. Like the CV blog, this gallery blog will have a link back to Nicholas Fenell... Texture, Senses, and Inspirations. All three blogs will be inter-linked to each other.

Nicholas Fenell... Texture, Senses, and Inspirations will remain the most updated blog. It will continue to be used for information on my process, my current reading, artist who inspire me with their work, and for images of works in progress. I hope these changes will further provide a detailed description of my work and my process.

Recent Links

Recently, resulting from my internet research, I have come across several great artists. I've added them to my interesting links side bar. I am hoping you take a minute to check them out. The new links are for these artists: Clary Stotle, Eric Tillinghast, and Lynne Harlow. Enjoy.

Work in Progress

Eggshell White Series

This series is meant to be tongue and cheek. I am playing with the vernacular of painting, both commercial and fine art. Eggshell white is a paint color typical used on the interior of homes. The paint comes in a variety of finishes- gloss, semi-gloss, satin, etc.

In my paintings, I use layers of different whites and crushed eggshells. The finishes will vary, similar to eggshell white house paint. However, I am using literal eggshells in the paintings to obtain the eggshell white color.

Humor is also found in reconstructing the broken eggshell into a square format rather than round format of the egg. The work is flat and surface. An egg, however, is more than a shell. The inside is filled with yolk and egg white. Also, eggs can house fetus' and growing beings. Yet, my eggshell paintings are just a surface floating of a wall.

Work in Progress

Faded Glory and the Repair

This work in progress is a collection of two gold cubes, approximately four inches. One gold cube will be hung on the wall while the other cube is exhibited on a pedestal. The wall piece is imperfect, with the gold not completely covering the surface, which is constructed of bubble wrap relief. The pedestal cube is imperfect as well. However, this one I will attempt to repair with fake gold and acrylic resin.

The different manners of display on a similar object examines painting and objecthood. The wall cube, faded glory, is a representation of traditional painting. It is imperfect, falling apart. The gold and sparkle has rubbed off. I attempt to fix this. Through changing the orientation of the cube from wall to pedestal, I am re-imagining the qualities of a painting. It no longer is wall based, nor is it passive. The pedestal protrudes into the gallery space, forcing the viewer to recognize the cube on the pedestal.

Shown on the pedestal and at a scale that relates to the human hand, I attempt to stress the object qualities of painting. One is invited to pick up the painting through its textured surface, gold shimmer, and scale. However, the object serves no literal function other than decorative. Metaphorically the cube attempts to fix the problems of painting but is not completely fixed within itself. The cube, painting, may never be perfect again. It will continue to have imperfections and problems worth solving.

Work on exhibit, "many connections"

Two of my paintings are currently exhibited in a show titled "many connections" at Marymount Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic hospital. The show is part of a program titled Patients First!. Through Patients First!, Marymount Hospital provides positive distractions for their patients. In addition to exhibiting "healing art," the program features pet therapy, harp therapy, a weekly clown, musical performances from a mother/ son duo, and carolers durings the holiday season.

I am pleased to exhibit art through this program. It means alot to me to have the arts as a healing tool for the ill. I can only hope that my art brightens the day of someone struggling through illness. A special thanks is due for the Patients First! program at Marymount Hospital, Patients First! director Melissa R. Thornburg, MA, and the Florence O'Donell Wasmer Gallery at Ursuline College.

http://www.marymount.org/AboutUs/PatientsFirst/MarymountsPatientCenteredCulture/tabid/1855/Default.aspx