Today we’d like to introduce you to Nadia Parsons
Hi Nadia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Keeping art a key focus in my life is a priority. Art is a resource for me when I face hard times. Turning to my art keeps me going, and propels my painting. I find that traumatic events in my life affect me in a positive way when I use the energy expressively in my art.
From the time I was a small girl, when I was having difficulty in learning to read and write, I found that I had a natural ability when painting and drawing. This brought me validation and encouragement, even as doing other schoolwork was often impossible. When I was diagnosed with dyslexia, I was able to get needed support. Growing up on Capital Hill, I was fortunate to be a short walk from the Smithsonian art museums, which exposed me to many masters.
At Clark University, I studied drawing, printmaking and graphic design. After suffering a bad concussion in my junior year, my art took a turn and became bolder. Large figurative drawing became a focus. It soon became apparent that painting was the medium I loved.
I moved to Boston and after the death of my father, I took classes at Mass College of Art to help navigate the loss. I also became pregnant, and chose to paint in acrylics while raising my children. At that time I switched my focus to painting still life, often painting with direct sunlight that highlighted dramatic shifts in color and value.
I then found a new interest in painting the sky. I wanted to return to oil paint, and took classes with Elaine Spatz-Rabinowitz at the SMFA. This gave me new confidence and direction. Clarity came into my life. My expressive paintings of the sky provoke intense feelings and dynamically engage my audience.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My road has been full of set backs and hurdles. The worst one was an artist block after I returned from Europe. I spent 3 months viewing as much art as I could. I was overwhelmed with all the masters and did not think I could ever contribute to the art world.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I paint the sky in oil paints on different surfaces, such as canvas, panels and oil paper. I like to vary the dimensions and sizes too. The skies I am most drawn to are when there is a dramatic change or a still beauty. My paintings are expressive and speak to people emotionally. It is not uncommon to see strong reactions to my art, either tears or fear and sometimes laughter.
What’s next?
My plans for my future is to keep painting and challenging myself to grow in my art and have my art help people to find new connections to themselves and others.
Pricing:
- My price is based on size. There is a range of $10,000 to $75.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://skypainterstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.instagram.com/nadia.parsons/%3Fhl%3Den&ved=2ahUKEwjRrLOflqWKAxXBAHkGHXf2G-UQFnoECB0QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1IYhwhL7KJy2cHv69ewpBI
- Facebook: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.facebook.com/Nadia.Parsons.art/&ved=2ahUKEwjcoqCPlqWKAxWQpIkEHbreCQIQFnoECCUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1aAmP7VLz9c3oE4jH8adBq
- Other: https://bsky.app/profile/nadiaskypainter.bsky.social
Image Credits
These are images of my paintings, taken by Julia Featheringill.