Hat in Hand – Original Life-Size Oil Portrait of a Man, Contemporary Figurative Art by Nancy Van Ness

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"Hat In Hand", Portrait of a Man, Oil Painting, Framed

A nude seated gentleman humbles himself with his hat in … Read more "Hat In Hand", Portrait of a Man, Oil Painting, Framed

A nude seated gentleman humbles himself with his hat in hand and gets his portrait painted.

Nancy Van Ness - Artist Statement

Painting is how I make sense of the world. It is where observation, emotion, and intuition come together, allowing me to express what words sometimes cannot. Through color, texture, and gesture, I translate my experiences into something tangible, inviting others to discover their own meaning within the work.

My creative process is intuitive and exploratory. I often begin with a particular image, feeling, or combination of colors, but I allow the painting to evolve naturally. Each mark informs the next as I build layers of oil paint, sometimes incorporating oil pastel to introduce a final element of texture, movement, or light. I am drawn to the physicality of paint; the way it can be pushed, scraped, layered, and manipulated to create depth and energy.

My work moves between representation and abstraction, drawing inspiration from impressionism and abstract expressionism. Rather than confining myself to a single style or subject, I follow the possibilities that emerge on the canvas. The natural world, animals, human figures, and the shifting emotions of everyday life all find their way into my paintings, transformed through an expressive language of color and form.

I believe a painting can communicate beyond its subject matter. A gesture, an unexpected color relationship, or the texture of a brushstroke can evoke a feeling, spark a memory, or create a moment of stillness.

Ultimately, my hope is that each painting offers the viewer an experience that is both personal and lasting. I want my work to invite curiosity, encourage contemplation, and bring a sense of beauty, energy, or quiet reflection into the spaces where it lives.

I also strive to make thoughtful choices in my studio practice, incorporating recycled painting surfaces, environmentally conscious framing, and natural pigments whenever possible. For me, creating art is not only an act of expression but also an opportunity to approach the materials and world around us with care.

man painting
figure study
figural
figurative painting
contemporary figurative art
male form painting
life drawing painting See less