February 2019 2

310 ART
“Times Square” Triptych NYC, watercolor, 40 x 78 by Nadine Charlsen
Atypical Dimensions: voLUMINOUS
Watercolors of Nadine Charlsen
BY FLETA MONAGHAN • RIVER ARTS DISTRICT, ASHEVILLE
Nadine Charlsen can be found every
day in her studio space at 310 ART
creating large scale watercolors.
Her newest piece up on an easel,
she is surrounded by framed works
and carefully organized large files
of paintings sorted by countries.
While she does create some
smaller pieces, none are your usual
watercolor paintings. Most viewers
and even experienced collectors
do not recognize this work as
watercolor. With bold and striking
lights and darks, layers, glazing,
distressing, scraping, and splattering,
she transforms her subjects into
dramatic large-scale works that are
collected as primary focal points in
homes and businesses.
Charlsen’s background as a
theater professional contributes to
her feel for drama. You can often
find her at her easel working with the
painting upright, brush in one hand
and spray water bottle in the other.
When most would think the work
is finished, she wets the surface
with water and washes of paint
nearly obscuring the image. Then
she reconstructs and brings out the
luminous light with methods that
seem almost magical. And, rather
than keeping these techniques all
to herself, she enjoys teaching and
mentoring an ever-growing number
of both aspiring and experienced
painters at the school at 310 ART.
This February and March,
Charlsen will have a featured exhibit
showcasing her large pieces. Her
show is cleverly titled ”Atypical
Dimensions: voLUMINOUS
Watercolors.” She explains, “My
watercolors are not your typical small
detailed 8x10 light, smooth paintings.
I paint large rough, gritty images of
cities, landscapes, industrial sites
that have texture and depth. The
watercolors that I will show in the
10 |RAPID RIVER’S ARTS & CULTURE MAGAZINE Vol. 22, No. 06 — February 2019