Monday, December 8, 2008

Watercolor magazine feature - Winter 2009

The new Winter 2009 issue of Watercolor magazine (American Artist publication) has a 14-page feature about my work written by UK artist John A. Parks. It's a great spread, the largest in the magazine - I'm indebtted to John and to the editors! Subscribers are receiving it now, and it will be on the newsstands December 16.

Thanks also to Da Vinci Paint and Creative Catalyst Productions for their full-page ads inside the front cover - I appreciate it!

For obvious reasons I don't want to post high-res pics, but here is the opening paragraph:

Nicholas Simmons paints in watermedia on a scale that rivals oil painting. The subject matter is a dazzling mix of figures juxtaposed with printed lettering, graffiti, Japanese block prints, neon lights, reflections, and lavish corners of nature. The effect can be disorienting, as though a camera has taken a picture by accident, revealing an image that is both exciting and mysterious. The paint itself swirls, floods, drips, and spatters, driven on by the general excitement of the imagery and giving the work a sense that it was done in a rush in a matter of minutes.







25 comments:

Anonymous said...

I will be sure to pick up a copy, Nick. Most sincere congratulations!

David Burge said...

Makes a solid addition to the CV.
Good article and photo spread.
Congratulations comrade!

Carol Carter said...

congratulations nick! you deserve the attention!

Tomás said...

Muy bien Nick felicidades.

Fernando Pena said...

Congratulations Nick

wayne said...

The images look superb featured together like this! Congrats on further well deserved recognition. I'll have to look out for the mag in the newsstands 'down under' -- can take a while for the pigeons to fly south u know...

Billie Crain said...

Congratulations, Nick!!! and well deserved it is, too.:)your unique techniques do indeed add energy to your paintings. i've enjoyed your DVD very much.

perugina said...

My sincerest congratulations NNG...this is just awesome!
PG
:)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations. Can't wait to find a copy.

Michelle Himes said...

That was a great article, Nick, and it had lots of my favorites. Congratulations!

Nick said...

Anon - pick up two, one for them and one for you!

Dake - not sure if you can get this in Oz without special ordering. Even so...delivery to Alice????!

Carol - it was a lot of fun to meet you the other night, not to mention seeing the show. Your work looked spectacular!

Bodiley - gracias amigo, and I just checked out your very interesting blog. You and Mr. Burge (above) are putting a lot of hues into the blues!

Fernando - I don't remember seeing you here before, thanks for posting!

Wayne - I've heard from a lot of people who say they've never seen such diverse work in a w/c magazine. I'm directing them to your site, naturally. cheers tovarish

Billie - hoping your muse has returned, I'll be over to find out

Patricia - good to see you, missed you on skype recently. Your latest stuff is great!

Robin - it's not an inexpensive magazine - $8.99, but I like to think it's worth it. Excellent article with John Salminen too.

Michelle - more magazine stuff coming up in 2009, completely new work. Hope you stay tuned.

Deb Townsend said...

Can't wait to see it Nick. I'm so happy for you!

Joan said...

Nick - Congrats again!!! It was a super article. I really enjoyed seeing it.

Unknown said...

Congratulations Nick!. I'd like to get copy but I don't know where to get it. Any idea?

Marilyn Fuerstenberg said...

Congrats!
I can't wait to get my copy and read the whole article.

Thanks also for visiting my blog and commenting.

Myrna Wacknov said...

I look forward to picking up the magazine. Besides the beautiful paintings, I like the square format you are using.

Anonymous said...

awesome nick. i can't wait to read it. you know that i (and many other artists i know) will buy multiple copies of any/every publishing that features your work.

chris!

Nick said...

Deb - thanks for posting :)

Joan - ditto, and thanks also for the email

Anna - I'm not sure, but if you email American Artist customer service, I'm sure they can help:

customerservice@interweave.com

Marilyn - glad to be on board, and have you aboard!

Myrna - square format gives you a lot of control/leeway over the picture's axis. And it sure beats the tired old 22x30 and its derivatives. Thanks for posting!

Chris - hoping to be down there soon for a debriefing session, put some Cokes in the fridge!

William K. Moore said...

Enough can't be said about how "Wow!" this is Nicholas. Out in public amongst the heavies and fans.. and soon-to-be fans. The layout and selections are enough to make one happy for a long time - or at least until the next publication. It's a real pleasure to know and be friends with one who can climb the mountain even without being tossed a rope. March on and up!

Nick said...

Bill - I have found that the rope can't always be trusted anyway, so better off with your own ascender and pitons - blaze a new trail up the Eiger. Hate to get sanctioned!

I was on your blog this morning and saw that the curtained has opened...I'm trying to collect my thoughts...and spilled popcorn. Let's just say I love being on this mountain with ya!

Mike said...

Nick . . . .this is not only wonderful, it is fantassssstic!!! In the 20 years I have been painting, no single artist has garnered such strong recognition at such an early place in their art journey as you. And for good reason: You are opening up new territory for all of us. I was just talking with "a very high official" at NWS about you and your art and how you are setting new directions for us all!

Man! My hat is off to you, big time!!

Nick said...

Mike, I look to people like you for constant inspiration and challenge, that's the truth. Usually when seeing your work I'm thinking, dang why didn't I think of that? or wow, could I even DO that?? You're a watercolor monster, no doubt about it, and your design and compositional sense is second to none.

Susan Webb Tregay NWS said...

Thanks for posting this. I' particularly taken with your handling of the the Asian woman painting. Will get the magazine.

Susan Webb Tregay
www.tregay.blogspot.com

Nick said...

Susan, thank you for posting, I appreciate the input from respected artists!

Anonymous said...

Nick,
I just received my copy of Watercolor and I have to say that I wish I could see all those works live. Aegis II looks somewhat like the last painting you started in Dallas last year. I was intrigued then and delighted to see its sister.