In the world of art, it’s easy to become fixated on capturing the grand, the dramatic, and the picturesque. In our 15 years installing… But sometimes, the true magic lies in the everyday—the simple, unassuming objects and scenes that we so often overlook. This is the realm that gouache painter Nancy Nowak chooses to inhabit, transforming the mundane into the magnificent through her vibrant, expressive brushwork.
The Allure of the Ordinary
Nowak’s artistic journey began with a realization that sometimes, the most challenging subjects are not the sweeping vistas or the iconic landmarks, but the seemingly ordinary things that surround us. “People tell me all the time, ‘I would never have thought to paint that!'” she explains. “I’ve tried to paint the big picturesque scenic views, but I realized something quite interesting. It is much more difficult to take something magnificent and paint it even more magnificently.”
This notion of finding beauty in the everyday is a cornerstone of Nowak’s creative process. She is drawn to “intimate, quiet scenes” and often avoids “perfectly manicured gardens” in favor of “the imperfect, old barn and simple flawed structures with high weeds and brush.” It’s in these overlooked corners of the world that Nowak discovers the true subjects of her paintings—not the objects themselves, but the vibrant play of light and shadow that dances across their surfaces.
Capturing the Ephemeral
As an avid plein air painter, Nowak has honed her skills in observing the ever-changing quality of light and atmosphere. “Plein air painting is one of the best ways of developing their painting skills,” she advises her students. “There is such a variety in light and atmosphere and they affect the relationships of the color and value of the foliage, grass, and buildings, and everything else in the scene.”
This deep understanding of the ephemeral nature of light is evident in Nowak’s gouache paintings, where she masterfully captures the subtle shifts in tone and hue that transform even the most mundane subject. In her work “Right at the Corner,” the warm, golden light that bathes the facade of the house is the true star of the show, with the structure itself serving as a mere canvas for this luminous display.
Unleashing the Power of Gouache
Nowak’s choice of medium, gouache, is a crucial element in her ability to elevate the ordinary. This opaque, water-based paint allows for a level of spontaneity and expressiveness that is well-suited to her style of painting. “I fight myself not to overwork areas,” she says. “Less is more. It’s a very simple, intimate painting and because of that, every mark, every value and every color had to feel right.”
The vibrant, layered colors of gouache enable Nowak to capture the essence of her subjects, rather than getting bogged down in intricate details. She takes advantage of the medium’s ability to create crisp, clean edges and bold, saturated hues that bring her scenes to life. By embracing the inherent characteristics of gouache, Nowak is able to infuse her paintings with a sense of energy and immediacy, inviting the viewer to experience the fleeting moment alongside her.
The Power of Observation and Interpretation
At the heart of Nowak’s artistic approach is a deep commitment to observation and interpretation. “I have an intention of what I want my focus to be and what story I want to tell,” she explains, “and also, what’s unnecessary to the story that can be edited out.” This thoughtful consideration of composition and narrative is evident in the way she approaches each subject.
Nowak begins by creating a value study, simplifying the scene into a few key shapes and values. This allows her to establish a strong compositional foundation before even picking up a brush. “If I have a dominant value and an interesting abstract design in my value study, I will most likely have an interesting painting,” she says.
From there, Nowak relies on her keen powers of observation to capture the essence of the subject. She pays close attention to the relationships of light and shadow, the interplay of warm and cool colors, and the subtle nuances that distinguish one form from another. But it is her ability to interpret these elements and imbue them with her own unique artistic vision that truly sets her work apart.
The Art of Stroke-Making
Nowak’s diverse background, which includes a career in calligraphy, has equipped her with a mastery of mark-making that is evident in her painting technique. “I use the side of the pastel in various ways and pressure to make marks just as I did with my calligraphy nibs and tools,” she explains. “The end of a paintbrush also makes a variety of different kinds of marks.”
This fluency with the brush allows Nowak to create a sense of energy and movement in her gouache paintings. Her strokes are confident and expressive, with a spontaneous quality that belies the thoughtful planning that goes into each work. By embracing the inherent qualities of the medium, she is able to capture the essence of her subjects in a way that feels immediate and alive.
Embracing the Imperfect
One of the hallmarks of Nowak’s approach is her willingness to embrace the imperfect and the unexpected. “I fight myself not to overwork areas,” she says. “Less is more. It’s a very simple, intimate painting and because of that, every mark, every value and every color had to feel right.”
This appreciation for the beauty of simplicity and the power of suggestion is a key aspect of Nowak’s artistic philosophy. By resisting the urge to overwork her paintings, she allows the spontaneity and expressiveness of the medium to shine through. The result is a body of work that is both technically skilled and emotionally resonant, inviting the viewer to engage with the subject on a deeper level.
Conclusion: Unleashing the Extraordinary in the Everyday
In a world that often fixates on the grand and the spectacular, Nancy Nowak’s gouache paintings serve as a powerful reminder that the true magic can be found in the everyday. By embracing the vibrant, expressive qualities of gouache and honing her skills in observation and interpretation, Nowak is able to transform the mundane into the magnificent, inviting us to see the world through her discerning yet compassionate gaze.
Whether you’re an emerging artist seeking to expand your creative horizons or an art enthusiast looking to deepen your appreciation for the power of the everyday, Nowak’s work and her creative process offer a wealth of inspiration and insight. So the next time you find yourself drawn to an unassuming object or scene, take a moment to really see it—and who knows, you just might uncover the extraordinary hidden within.
Tip: Practice daily sketching to continually refine your technique