Aaron Nagel Returns With Majesty

1xRun Thru Interview
Majesty by Aaron Nagel

1xRun: Tell us a bit about this piece, is the original still for sale?
Aaron Nagel:  This piece (oil on canvas) was finished in July of 2012. The original piece is pretty big, 50 x 64 inches. The original is still available but it’s currently on it’s way back to me to then head to Taiwan for their International Art Fair next April.nagel_lyons_wier_8_20121015_1029068747web

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Aaron Nagel: The reference shot came out of the same shoot that my last print, “Lie Down with Lions”, came from. It was actually taken on the same couch that I used for a number of paintings from that show, but I changed it to a kind of oversized chair for this piece for the sake of composition.

nagelsmajestyprocess

1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Aaron Nagel: This was the last piece I painted for my “Sovereign” show at Lyons Wier Gallery (LWG) in New York City last year. I remember having only about 3 weeks to finish the whole thing, and in typical fashion, I made things extra hard on myself by painting so big. I was pretty stressed about it, but thankfully it went pretty smoothly — although painting the chair detail, especially all the little metal buttons, was tough. I didn’t want it to be too detailed and take away from the figure, but I also didn’t want it to be sloppy — and painting anything so repetitive can get pretty loose after a while.

1xRun: Describe this piece in one gut reaction word.
Aaron Nagel: Majestic? (visual artist, bad with words…)

nagelblog1xRun: Tell us a bit about this model in the piece, you have painted her a few times correct?
Aaron Nagel: I have indeed, quite a bit actually. Her name is Rosie and is a friend of a friend I met last year — we’ve since become great working partners and good friends. she’s very much a muse, and brings a lot of ideas to the shoots — it just makes everything I do easier.

nagelrosie

1xRun: How have things been going since your recent move?
Aaron Nagel: Much better thank you! It took quite a while to get back up and running, and then longer still to get the hang of using all new everything; new paints, new easel, new brushes, new lights, new camera, etc etc. I’ve been working on the first bigger pieces since my move the last 3 weeks or so and I’m feeling good about them. I’m forced to find positive aspects of the theft and having to start over again in a sense, if only just to avoid depression, but there are elements that I think will help with the art. A good kick in the ass, and huge change, even when absolutely not welcome, can be beneficial sometimes.

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1xRun: What else do you have coming up in the next few months fall winds down ?
Aaron Nagel: I have a pair of brand new large pieces that will be showing with Lyons Wier Gallery in Miami this December for Art Basel, and another small one with Thinkspace. Immediately after they’re out the door I’m going to need to start working on my solo show with LWG in New York next April.

nagel1studio

1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Aaron Nagel: WebsiteBlogInstagram @aaronnagel

-1xRUN