Rising Stars: Meet Jennifer Nolan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Nolan. 

Hi Jennifer, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I am an artist living in Savannah with my husband and five children. Being a creative person from the get-go, I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a small girl growing up in New Jersey. This would most often include animal drawings. My young imagination would breathe life into my drawings and it would be as they were alive. 

Fast forward many years and I have not strayed from drawing and painting animals. I had migrated south to attend and graduate from the Savannah College of Art & Design with a BFA in Illustration. The warm climate, creative atmosphere, and the multitude of natural beauty in Savannah, Georgia has been an endless source of inspiration for me. I have worked hard to create portraits of flora and fauna that evoke a sense of wonder. 

I have been blessed to have exhibited my work up and down the East Coast and overseas. It’s been a gift to have people from all over purchase and share in the inspiration of what I’m creating. Currently, my art is available locally through Reynolds Square Fine Art Gallery, occasional art pop-ups and through my own art studio. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t say it has been a smooth road. I think a large challenge for a lot of creative people is self-doubt. Another challenge is putting in the work. It takes a lot of time, discipline, and practice (years and years) to find your swing in painting and the business side of selling your art. These hurdles still drag me down some days. One strategy I have is taking the long view and knowing that most struggles won’t unravel in one day. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work is meant to be a concentrated focus on the glory & wonder of our natural world. I paint animals, seashells, florals & other bits from nature. By subtracting the background from my paintings, I aim to edify the beauty of the main subject and strive to illuminate splendor where it may not have been noticed before. 

I work often in gouache and pearlescent watercolor on panel or oil on canvas. My most recent body of work featured birds illustrating certain human virtues and look forward to a new series concentrating on animals in dreams. 

I am most proud of my paintings when they bring joy to others. While paintings of animals are not a new subject, I’d like to think what sets me apart from other artists is the sense of peace and love of nature combined that brings delight to the viewer. 

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
My first response would have to be the people here are some of the most interesting and kind that I’ve ever met. My second answer is Savannah is just magic. It is so beautiful both night and day in completely opposite ways. If you live in Savannah, you never have to go far for inspiration. It has so much texture and mood. The bird population visits here from both northern and southern climates which makes this a great place for me to find painting subjects. Plus, the salt marsh is a treasure trove of creatures and shells. I feel so fortunate to live here that I cannot even think what I might least like about our city. 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jennifernolanart.com
• Instagram: @jen.jen.nolan
• Facebook: @jennifernolanart

Image Credits
Amanda Churchill
Woven Studios