21 Under 31 – 2023 | Nicholas Ward, 28
COLORADO

Nicholas Ward, 28

Pace of Sundown, oil on canvas, 72 x 60.

Sentinels of the Valley, oil on canvas, 60 x 40.

Style: I strive for my painting style to inspire a sense of wonder in the everyday. I like to play with the proportions of human elements to illustrate a sense of unreality.

Creative Spark: One of my most creative spaces is people-watching in public areas—witnessing human interaction. Natural structures like rock formations and trees inspire me too; it’s natural for humans to see faces/human form in things…I’ve been exploring that phenomenon and what the age of those structures says about the story told.

Art Education: I studied at the University of Denver School of Art & Art History…following my graduation I [took] the time/space to explore the foundations I built in school by experimenting with materials/techniques in my own sort of echo-chamber which I think helped me develop my own style. Since then, I’ve taken a number of one-off courses to hone my technique.

Best Art Advice Received: If you believe in what you have to say in your artwork, there are patrons that will take notice of that authenticity and the support will come.

Favorite Studio Music: My painting style is definitely influenced by what I’m listening to…I listen to all sorts of music but my most frequented albums are Natalia Lafourclade’s Musas vol. 1 and 2.

Favorite Work by Another Artist: Jurisprudence, by Gustav Klimt, but really his whole series of faculty paintings created for the University of Vienna are amongst my favorites.

Artistic Goals: To encourage and facilitate storytelling…My favorite thing about art is that each viewer approaches the work with their own baggage and the same scene can tell infinite stories to different people or even the same people on different days.

Other Passions: Cooking, fermenting, gardening, fly-fishing.

Price Range: $2,500-$8,500

Contact Information: nwardstudios.com