BIO

David Nowlan was born in Dublin in 1966.

This Irish portraitist and landscape artist exemplify much of the European or “cosmopolitan” tradition in Irish art, but without for a moment forsaking his native country. His art is inspired as much by the iconic figures of Irish history, as it’s shaped by the Impressionism, colours, and light of France. Exceptionally gifted in still life and landscape painting, as well as portraiture, many of his works are an object lesson in the use of particular shades of colour in order to capture the mood or moment of the subject. More Manet than Monet in his traditional approach to composition, his use of black pigment and his preference for representational and figurative work, his modern touch makes him a true “contemporary Impressionist”. One of the leading exponents of representational painting in Ireland, he is currently working on a series of “Living Irish Portraits”, depicting a variety of major Irish personalities and cultural icons. Nowlan’s approach to portraiture provides interesting and cultural icons. Nowlan’s approach to portraiture provides an interesting insight into his philosophy. He is also strongly drawn to the historical and literary figures proceeding the modern Celtic Tiger; the heroes of the Celtic Dawn.

Using his acute powers of observation, his flair for drawing and the tonal language of Impressionism, he seeks to recapture the ability of his predecessors to transmit the legacy of their literature, lore, and art, which underpins so much of present-day Irish cultures. As well as portraits, Nowlan has painted in a range of landscapes, cityscapes in the almost forgotten discipline of plein-air and some beautiful still life studies. Although heavily involved in commissions, Nowlan has shown in several solo and numerous group exhibitions in Ireland and France. His paintings are represented in many private and corporate collections. He is a founder member of the new artist group the Oil Painters of Ireland, formed to promote the merits of traditional and representational art to the Irish public. Nowlan studied design at the Dublin College of Marketing and Design, before moving to Los Angeles where he worked as an artist in Disney’s animation studios. Thereafter, in addition to working on private commissions, he established himself as a freelance Background Painter and later as an art director involved in projects in Dublin, London, Copenhagen, Oslo and Berlin for companies like Warner Bros., Sullivan Bluth, and R.T.E. He was also commissioned by the Irish government to complete a series of Irish landscapes depicting conditions during the era of the Celtic High Kings of Ireland – works, which he based partly on the mythological writing of W.B. Yeats. He also lectured in art at the College of Art and Design in Dun Laoghaire. Since the early 2000’s he has concentrated on his fine art career and in 2004 moved to France with his wife and two children.

I started oil painting when I was living in Castelnau de Montmiral, near Gaillac in the South West of France. I joined the local painters association of Gaillac. Later I had two solo shows in France, one sponsored by the tourist board in Gaillac. I have been a full-time oil painter since 2005, with the last number of years specializing in portraits. I have painted The Rev. Ian Paisley, which is now hanging in Stormont Assembly. Other commissions have been Bono, Ivor Browne, Niall Toibin, Pádraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy.

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