User:Knowlin

A Maryland native destined to be an artist. An artist for over 20 years, Kirk Nowlin has honed a distinctive technique fusing realism with a bold, abstract quality. Best known for his dynamic sports-related oil paintings, Nowlin’s body of art work exquisitely captures life in motion by incorporating vibrant color and mixed collage to tell a story on canvas. In recent years, his signature pieces based on famed athletes including Serena Williams, Lance Armstrong, and Darryl Green have garnered well-deserved admiration. Nowlin’s diverse clientele ranges from corporate leaders to former NFL players. Warren Brown, popular Baltimore attorney, says he was “blessed and honored” to have met Nowlin as his work “ignites strong sentiments and represents the epitome of commitment and talent.” Tom Giannopoulos, CEO & Chairman of the largest IT firm in the hospitality industry, has become his newest client.

“I create images of people in action doing what they love to do,” says Nowlin. “My ideal subjects are those athletes who represent true sportsmanship, character and compassion. Whether I select oil paint, colored pencil, or another medium my images tell the story of my emotions as I create it. My usage of intense color combined with a detailed technique allows my collectors to connect with me just as they do my images.”

Artist Statement Although I work in a multitude of mediums, the use of colored pencils allows me to control the intensity of the piece with the amount of pressure I apply to the paper. The more pressure I apply, the more intense the colors become and my images develop texture. My technique is the precise mixing of colors, overlapping areas with an intensity that generates the illusion of depth. The colors can create a particular mood when used as a unifying element that links the part of the images. Whether I’m using short sweeping strokes or hard right angles, my images tell the story of my emotions as I create it. The colors chosen combined witthe techniques applied allow my collectors to connect with me just as they do my images.

When painting, I like to feel the smoothness of the brush as it glides across the canvas. Unlike colored pencil, I gently handle the brush when I apply paint to the canvas. I typically paint large pieces, which allows me to step back and actually see my imagination come to life on canvas. In my Stadards of Excellence series, which is essentially athletes that have excelled at their craft, I have created images of people in action doing what they love to do. Each athlete was carefully selected because they represent true sportsmanship, character and compassion.