I am Nathan D. Pace, I paint in oils. I love the feel of a landscape that speaks to the soul. I paint in oils and acrylics, but I love oils. I love the connection to the ancient masters; I love the slow drying thickness of the color. I love the process the planning the composition. I feel a landscape’s interpretation in oils should communicate to the soul the awe of nature’s scene.

There should be a feel in the application of the paint and the color, something of the vibrancy, drama, peace and beauty inspired by what the original scene inspired. I love the application of oils in a loose impressionism style and I am trying to push my paintings more in that direction. I often have felt too tight in my application, getting bogged down in an attempt at realism which caused me to miss the ability to portray the feeling.

As a young boy I loved my Uncle Nelson’s landscapes of the western deserts and mountains. They inspired me. I could see through his paintings what he saw, feel what he felt, and somehow--though I never met him--I knew what he knew.

My first oil teacher in college was Brian Kershishnek. He painted with a very heavy application with layers of underpainting pushing through. He taught me to appreciate the feel of the materials, the canvas, the bristles, the turpentine and oil smell in the air. The texture of the paint was as much a part of the work as the colors themselves.

A great memory of mine in painting was in studio art work in college where I happened to paint regularly with my wife’s ex-boyfriend. The connection he and I formed through painting and the communal nature of painting in studio together surprised us both. I have always loved the vibrancy of artists working together in studio. The mindless banter is a very easy backdrop to paint to. I have taken and participated in many community classes in oils and love learning.

I am color blind. I do not know what I cannot see. I believe I can see all colors, but am now convinced and resigned to the fact that there are colors and shades and hues and tones that are beyond my ability to sense, see or differentiate. This knowledge does not limit me however, I feel like it is an unlocking piece of power. I know that what I paint is only a portrayal of what I experience. Therefore, through painting I am able to allow others a window to my soul.

I love the work of many of the American landscape artists. Their talent and ability I would love to have. A painting should inspire but remain a painting, it is a metaphor, an impression, an image – a door to the feeling of the scene. This I love.

I most enjoy looking at a painting from one inch away, feeling the brush strokes, seeing how this faint color overlaps and contrasts with that color. A painting is dramatic and bold from one inch away; color, texture, depth. Then as you step back and gaze at the whole from a distance a certain peace and calmness overtakes you as the painting as a whole portrays the feeling of the scene, with every portion of the painting in harmony. That is a well-done painting. That is why I paint.

A well-lived life is exactly the same--full of color, texture, depth, drama, tension, boldness, heartache, triumph, failure, tragedy, and success from one inch away.

Then as you step back and look at the whole, there is a peaceful, beautiful harmony. That is life, that is painting.

I love light. I love water. I love the feel of reflection and glistening sunlight. I like to feel inspired and I love and revere inspiration.

My goal is to overcome my lack of talent with understanding of application and expression of feeling. I have limited talent, but unlimited feeling. When I can express my feelings through my painting in a way that a friend or a loved one can feel what I felt, see what I saw, and know what I know – then I have succeeded. I paint so my children and grandchildren can know me as I knew my uncle.

I paint, poorly perhaps, but purposefully and happily.

I paint for generations.

- Please enjoy my paintings.

Nathan D. Pace

Nathan D. Pace is a member of Artists of The Oak.

For more information please visit his blog.

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