Home » A Visit to Artist William Nelson’s Studio, Norwalk, CT, USA

A Visit to Artist William Nelson’s Studio, Norwalk, CT, USA

William Nelson - Uma Thurman - photo by Luxury Experience

American Contemporary Artist William Nelson first caught the attention of Luxury Experience during the artist reception for his new works for the exhibition, PRETTY, Desirable, Delightful, DANGEROUS, at Cavalier Galleries in Greenwich, Connecticut. As film buffs, we were intrigued by his large-scale paintings featuring iconic actresses Rita Hayworth, Jane Russell, Brigitte Bardot, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Uma Thurman, and many more set against New York landmarks and other film locations. The deft juxtaposition of the glamorous actresses and the landmarks in their films captured our imaginations and inspired us to learn more about the engaging artist behind the impressive art, William Nelson.

 

William Nelson’s painting of Uma Thurman

Cavalier Galleries, located on prestigious Greenwich Avenue in Greenwich, Connecticut provided the perfect introduction to experience Contemporary Artist William Nelson’s impressive exhibition, PRETTY, Desirable, Delightful, DANGEROUS. As dedicated film buffs, especially of 1930s, 1940s, and film noir classics, imagine the delight in walking into the artist reception and being "greeted" by a large-scale painting of the glamorous Rita Hayworth and the dashing Fred Astaire dancing in the air positioned against a backdrop of two of New York City’s most famous icons, the Chrysler Building, and the Empire State Building (painting is entitled "Bryant Park," 2022, measuring 72 x 60 inches). Whimsical, magical, and absolutely a delight to behold.

William Nelson - Elvis Presley and Ann Margaret - photo by Luxury Experience
Elvis and Ann Margaret
by William Nelson

Other outstanding pieces in the exhibition included the actress Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in the film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s (painting is entitled "51st and Lex," 2022, oil on canvas, 60 x 60 inches); the actress Uma Thurman as Venus in the film, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (painting is entitled "Aegean Sea," 2022, oil on canvas, 72 x 60 inches); the actress Louise Brooks as Lulu in the German silent film, Pandora’s Box, (painting is entitled "Munich," 2022, oil on canvas, 72 x 60 inches), and the actress Marilyn Monroe as Lorilee Lee in the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (painting is entitled "Tribeca," 2022, oil on canvas, 72 x 60 inches).

William Nelson - Ritta Hayworth - photo by Luxury Experience
Rita Hayworth
by William Nelson

More glamorous women featured in the collection included Debbie Harry, the 1970s/80s Rock/Punk Rock lead singer for the band Blondie, the actress Elizabeth Taylor as portrayed in the film, Giant, the actress Jane Russell as portrayed in the film, The Outlaw, and the actresses Bridget Bardot, Ann Margaret, Geena Davis, Raquel Welch, Nicole Kidman, and Jane Fonda. William Nelson not only deftly captured the essence of the women and the famous (or infamous) characters they played, but set them against whimsical, almost surreal backgrounds, which enhanced the art and engaged the imagination. His work is a curated combination of realism and fantasy that makes the paintings so sensational and appealing to collectors.

William Nelson - Wooden Mechanical art piece - photo by Luxury Experience
Mechanical Wood Art Piece
by William Nelson

Intrigued by his artistry and imagination, after the reception, we set up a meeting to visit William Nelson’s art studio in Norwalk, Connecticut to see his works in progress. During our studio visit, we learned that his creative mind goes well beyond his large-scale works in oil on canvas with his creation of two wooden mechanical art pieces, which he built. As comfortable using a table saw as he is using brushes and canvases, the two works have a vintage feel to them enhanced by the vintage colors he used to paint them.

William Nelson - Qaudriptych painting - photo by Luxury Experience
Ceiling – Quadriptych painting
by William Nelson

William Nelson’s studio is in an old factory building which has soaring ceilings and was the perfect showcase for an enormous quadriptych consisting of four large paintings placed next to one another on the ceiling of the studio to create a large square painting that resembled a giant kaleidoscope. To fully appreciate the artistry of this grand-scale artwork, we sat on the floor and looked up at this stunning fantasy of a painting. This work would also be sensational in a large space hung on a wall. Another fabulous (small-scale) whimsical painting involved an old Electrolux vacuum cleaner with the face of a young Phyllis Diller, a cup of coffee, and pink glazed donuts. Creative, fun, and lusciously surreal.

William Nelson - Phyllis Diller - photo by Luxury Experience
Phyllis Diller
by William Nelson

William Nelson is an artist to watch as one never knows where his creativity will take him next. All we can say is, hang on tightly, as it will be a joyful ride. Until next time, keep enjoying and supporting the arts!

William Nelson - Farrah Fawcett - photo by Luxury Experience
Farrah Fawcett
by William Nelson

For information on William Nelson and his art, please contact William Nelson or Cavalier Galleries at the websites: www.williamnelsonstudio.com and www.cavaliergalleries.com

Follow William Nelson on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/williamnelsonstudio

William Nelson logo

William Nelson
Firing Circuits Studios (Studio Visits by appointment only)
30 Muller Avenue
Building 10, Studio 1
Norwalk, Connecticut 06851
United States
Email: bill@williamnelsonstudio.com
Telephone: +1-917-449-7080
Website: www.williamnelsonstudio.com

William Nelson and Debra C. Argen - photo by Luxury Experience
William Nelson and Debra C. Argen

Cavalier Galleries – Connecticut
175 Greenwich Avenue
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
United States
Telephone: +1-203-869-3664
Email: art@cavliergalleries.com
Website: www.cavaliergalleries.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CavalierGalleries

Cavalier Galleries – New York City
3 West 57th Street, 4th Floor
New York, New York
Telephone: +1-212-570-4696

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