Spark Spotlight Artist: Nadine Charlsen
Nadine Charlsen is an urban landscape watercolor artist and instructor based in Asheville, North Carolina. Charlsen's background as a theatrical lighting designer in New York City for 31 years has allowed her to incorporate her knowledge of light, shadow, scale, colors and textures to culminate an artistic drama. Her work is inspired by architecture, cityscapes and serene countryside settings captured through the lens of her camera. She has a working studio in NorthLight Studios in the River Arts District in Asheville, NC. She is also represented by 3402 Art Gallery in Baltimore, Maryland. Charlsen was recently included in the top ten percent of world watercolor artist's in Concours mondial de l’aquarelle – Le Catalogue.
Nadine is a signature member of The American Watercolor Society, a member of the Salmagundi Club, National Association of Women Artists, Coast Guard Artists and American Society of Railroad Artists. “My art evokes an emotion that helps you take the journey with me into that world,” says Nadine. “My studio is the ever-changing world around me.” Currently, Nadine’s exhibit ‘Trains and Trade that Made America,’ featuring 22 of her paintings, is on display in the Cloud Room at the Wedge Brewery in Asheville through mid-December.
1. How did you become interested in art?
I have been an artist all my life. I spent 40+ years as a theatrical set, lighting designer and scenic artist as well as a full time university professor. My mother was an oil painter and teacher, my father was an industrial arts teacher. I grew up with a hammer in one hand and a paintbrush in the other. In 2006 I began to transition out of the theatrical areas and concentrate on painting. I never missed a brushstroke. My watercolors are large, moody, gritty architectural landscapes and trains, planes and boats.
2. What is your favorite part or the work you do?
Breaking every rule I was taught while learning watercolor. I love creating bold atmospheric watercolors with a story.
3. Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
Watercolor artist Paul Ching-Bor was my teacher at the Art Student League in New York City for eight years. He changed my style and consequently my life direction. I learned from him and the other masters in his class every Sunday. Antonio Masi, president of the American Watercolor Society also was/is a big influence. He and I painted next to each other in Paul's class for several years. They are good friends and mentors now.
4. What is most important to you in your art?
I love to paint from photographs where I have been. I have done three bicycle trips in Europe and lived in New York City for 31 years. I have so many memories to share with collectors and tourists. I love when people come in and want to talk about how my art reminds them of places they have been. My paintings tell their stories too.
5. What do you think makes you different from other artists?
I paint so many subjects in watercolor that most artists don't attempt. I also present my finished paintings without glass. I helped develop a method of mounting the paper on a wood panel and then waxing with an archival art wax. They are sealed. You can see the paintings. I also paint dark, saturated very large paintings on a paper I can beat up, wash off and blend colors.
6. What are some challenges you have faced in your work?
Convincing expert artists that they are really watercolor! The bigger challenge is only having 24 hours in a day to create, work and think. Another challenge is the unevenness of the art market. Good months and bad sales months. Keeping up with the business side of advertising, social media and filing all my paintings.
7. What are your goals for the future as an artist?
Hire a reliable fun assistant so I can paint more. Have my work known around the world. Keep painting. Sell my work to those who want to travel to places known or unknown to them.
Nadine’s work can be viewed online:
www.nadinepaints.com
https://www.facebook.com/nadine.charlsen
https://www.instagram.com/nadinepaints/
