I visited my late father’s show at the Schneider Museum of Art in Ashland, Oregon, last weekend and I wanted to share this little recording I made with all of you. He was clearly a man of talent and skill, and it was amazing to be able to see all of his work in one location, hanging in this beautiful space.
In gratitude, Nicholas
PS I’ve put together a free assessment designed to help artists identify and solve their biggest art making challenge. You can take it by going to www.artlifenew.com. If you find it helpful, please feel free to pass it along to anyone who you think could benefit from it.
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Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.
With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.
Join me and artists from all over the world in our Free Art2Life Artists Facebook Group or learn more here about Art2Life.
Beautiful! What a wonderful tribute to your father and to his Art.
Thanks Maria..
Amazing paintings – you can hear the catch in your voice as you describe them, emotion and pride…
Thanks for sharing this moment. You’ve shared about your dad’s paintings of cars before, and how that led to abstraction. Love this show of your dad’s work, and the appreciation you have for it. My mom and grandmother were amateur painters. Having a painting by each of them in my home makes me feel closer to them.
Enjoyed both the memorial show and Ashland gallery show of your fathers work. Inspiring. Larger and abstracts really caught my eye.
Jane Barton
Beautiful tribute!! Wow, I love your father’s work.
Hey @rob@robcolvinart:disqus great to hear from you! Thanks and yes I appreciate and see his work differently now–I think the work was much stronger than I realized when he was alive..
How special and memorable this must have been for you. You must be so proud and happy that he was your father and that he passed along the “art” gene to you. So much to be thankful for.
Yes exactly…
Thank you so much for sharing your dad’s wonderful work. I felt your emotion walking around the room talking about each one of his pieces. I loved and appreciated all of them but I think I connected mostly to the last two…the very subtle gray one that almost appeared like beach rocks and the black squiggly line drawing that was like the mazes I draw for my grandkids.
What a gift, to see the timeless connection that bonds you to your father. Thanks for this.
I am so pleased to discover your dad’s work. I am a fan. Beautiful and thank you for sharing. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your Dad’s exhibition with us.
How affirming to see his work in a beautiful museum.
I’m guessing that it really encourages you.
Yes…and hopefully others too… I think for all of us the art we make gives others permission to do the same..
Such a diverse and impressive collection, – so beautifully curated. I was especially drawn to the red/black, monochromatic white piece and the black piece with line art. Also loved the ethereal man walking…. Such care given to the work throughout all it’s stages. Must feel very heartwarming to see + remember these works and the conversations you shared with your father. Now again, as unspoken conversation, even richer with nuances.
Stephanie…those two pieces the black one and the white one are my favorites…
So wonderful to see these works, and especially to hear it narrated by you….his son. I can only hope that my sons have a moment like this with my work after I’m gone, that they will feel my presence in the work. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Karen…yes I realize this now with my own daughters…
Hi Nicholas, so saddened to hear of your dad’s passing and how beautiful to see some of his work through your eyes and heart. My dad just passed this last August, so it is especially poignant hearing the emotion in your voice.
Thank you for sharing this soulful display of your late fathers paintings. I admire the kindred creative spirit that you and your father share.
Thanks @kath@kathleentheriault:disqus
How proud you must be, to see your father’s work presented so beautifully. It was fascinating to see his journey towards abstraction. You’ve now taken up the baton and are running with it. Thank you.
Thanks Jo!
Beautiful work…love that he had many forms of expression!
Thank you for sharing this experience of your father’s art in such a beautiful setting. Your words always help me to see and enlarge my view of what art is, it’s possibilities, how it can change and be experienced by what surrounds it and the impact of memory it can leave behind.
This is a wonderful tribute to your father.
Well thank you.. that is lovely how you say this…
The legacy of our is the part of us we leave here in tangible form. Thank you for sharing your feelings on see8ng your dad’s art and memories.
@suz@suzannejacquot:disqus thanks for your thoughts here…
This is a beautiful video, Nick, and such a good way to save this memory of your father. The Museum setting is respectful, and the paintings show off beautifully in the video. Having your voice describe them is even more touching as you remark on the different stages of your father’s art journey. Thank you for sharing.
I am deeply moved by your narrative Nick. Also, I am moved by your father’s work… It is interesting how your perception changed of that one piece after his passing. I love this show and I wanted to see it. I was hoping to get up before it comes down. I’m glad for you that you had the opportunity to commemorate this show. Very loving. I feel honored to be part of the first group to see this show through your eyes. Thank you.
Thanks Phyllis
Thank you for sharing Nick your dad’s work and your feelings on it. I can only image what memories it stirred for you. An impressive body of work!
I was at the museum yesterday and it was wonderful to see his work ! I loved and appreciated many of them. So happy you posted this.
Pamela–so appreciate you going by the museum! thanks…
This is a profound moment for you, one that will enrich you life and allow you to view him as a artist, person and your father. I never thought of what people might feel when my work is left behind because our very soul and thoughts are in each painting. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Nick,
I liked what you said about being an artist and having the ability to leave a part of yourself behind. I feel the same when I’m around my father’s work. My favorite pieces are the black and white that he did most recently and the small paint can with brush and the black one with the large red/orange round shapes. Such a wonderful body of work!
Andrew– I love that paint can one too…I see actually how similar that one it to your work. Down here in Mexico with some of your studio mates…you would love it here!
I was wondering how the exhibit came about? Did your father paint for a living or nonprofessional? Are those all of his paintings, and how did he learn to paint?
I wish I somehow save this – amazing work, and a wonderful tribute, and as you say Powerful. Thank you.
OMG Fabulous fabulous work. I love eveyone of them!!! The feeling in this room must be so emotional for you, I can feel his presence all the way in Europe over the internet. What a blessing to have him in your life and it’s wonderful that he was able to leave so much of himself behind with you and the rest of the world. Just beautiful all the way around. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
Yeah it was quite moving–was not expecting that!
Beautiful, thank you.
Thank you for sharing your experience of seeing your father’s work displayed in one place. The work is beautiful on its own, but hearing you speak about it added a meaningful dimension for me as a viewer. Learning details like your sailing as a family, that your dad enjoyed the old cars in Aspen, and that the solitary figure reminds you of your dad creates additional pathways into the work. You’ve graciously included the viewer in your response to the work, while also allowing viewers to bring their own imagination to the pieces. I especially liked the white on white piece near the end. Super subtle and quietly powerful.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful and emotional journey with us. My father was also an artist and I would have loved to see his work exhibited together like this in a space that showcases them so well.
The show is beautiful, Nick. They really did a wonderful job curating.
I wish I had been there – but Oh so moving and realise that i must get things together and on the wall before I die. This must have been overwhelming and very tender.I love the piece where your father seems to be walking into the light – or maybe away from the light? Thank you for sharing
Very moving. Beautiful work. And thanks for sharing this. Your love and respect for your Dad comes through.
Beautiful, moving work. I can feel your emotion and it touched me deeply, how wonderful to have his work remain and carry on… thank you for sharing.
Absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing – it feels like such a gift to hear and see this from you. Very powerful. Thank you. <3
thank you for sharing … they are all wonderful … I especially love the large black and red painting – So bold … (Alison in France)
Beautiful, both the work and your words. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Nick thank you for sharing your fathers work, I wish i could see it in person. I love what you said about his work lives on beyond him – I hope that brings you comfort.
I visited the show and was so taken with your father’s paintings. they breathe! Glen Paris-Stamm