MAXWELL NOLINPainter (American b. 1991 -) My paintings often stem from visions that take shape when in a pensive state. Some are based on dreams, and some are sparked by a person I know or see on the street or elsewhere. I watch people very carefully and have always had a sensitivity to their energy. For the most part, being in their presence when they are sitting for me is enough to get a “sense” of them. I would like my portraits to transcend physical appearance; to catch a glimpse of the model’s personality and spirit. The greatest portraits have this transcendent quality and when I look at them, I not only see the spirit of the subject but also the spirit of the artist. I start my paintings on a wood panel or linen with four coats of gesso. I sand lightly in between coats and then apply a wash of a warm imprimatura to get the panel to a mid-tone value before I start drawing with charcoal. I paint indirectly in several layers paying attention to values, edges, color temperature and overall composition as the painting progresses. I have quick clarity on how I would like to paint a person or still life. I formulate the composition and try to stay true to my vision, but once a painting has begun it often takes on a life of its own. I like to take it where it needs to go. I have a very disciplined work schedule. I paint six days a week for at least 6-8 hours per day. ­­­­On days that I am stressed or distracted I push through. I treat my studio practice as a job and try to step up to the easel everyday with focus and gratitude. Maxwell was recently commissioned to paint the official portrait of Chief Judge Jon. D Levy for the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, which now hangs in the building. EDUCATION and TRAINING-The Florence Academy of Art Intensive drawing and painting workshop, Florence, Italy -Private instruction - Portrait painting - Vitaly Shtanko, Florence, Italy -Private instruction - Linden Frederick 2016 - present, Belfast, ME-The School of The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA-Massachusetts College of Art and Design Summer Studios, Boston, MA​EXHIBITIONS- Carver Hill Gallery - "Lucent" - Camden, Maine 2024-Dacia Gallery- Group Exhibition 2023 New York, NY-Guild Of Boston Artist- "2023 New England regional Exhibition" Boston, MA-Lights Out Gallery-"Little Sparks" Norway, ME-Carver Hill Gallery- "People, Places and Plants" Camden, ME 2023-Carver Hill Gallery, Reverent 2022, Camden, ME-Guild of Boston Artist Gallery 2021 Juried Exhibition, Boston, MA-Lights Out Gallery- Debut Exhibition 2021, Portland, ME-Gallery 263- Storylines Exhibition 2021, Cambridge, MA-Broomfield Gallery- Double Vision Juried Exhibition 2021, Boston, MA-Guild of Boston Artists Juried Exhibition 2020 - Awarded the Robert Hunter Douglas Award for painting: "Lost in Reverie"-Waterfall Arts: "Stepping Stones" Group Show 2020, Belfast, ME - Guild of Boston Artists Juried exhibition 2019, Boston, MA-Two-man exhibition: "commonplace" The Harlow Gallery 2019, Hallowell, ME-Boothbay region art foundation juried exhibition second place prize 2018, Boothbay Harbor, ME-River Arts Gallery "Local Color" 2018, Damariscotta, ME-Harlow Gallery Art 2018 Juried exhibition, Hallowell, ME-Waterfall Arts Oceans 2018, Belfast, ME​-Studio 53 "What's Nude" 2018, Boothbay Harbor, ME​-Waterfall Arts Denizen Show 2018, Belfast, ME- Maine Farmland Trust Gallery "Farming Families" 2016, Belfast, ME-Fenreffer Gallery Group show 2016, Boston, MA-Gasp Gallery Group show 2009, Boston, MA​AWARDS and RESIDENCIES - The Portrait Society of America, Awarded "Select 50" in the 2023 International Portrait Competition - 2023 Guild of Boston Artist Regional Exhibition Award of Merit- Monson Arts Visual Artist Residency - October 2020, Monson, ME ​-Robert Hunter Douglas Award for painting "Lost In Reverie" 2020, Guild of Boston Artists Boston, MA -2nd place prize for painting "Polly" Boothbay region art foundation 2018 -Joseph A. Fiore art center visual artist residency July 2018 -ALFRED J. MICKEE SR. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP -ANDOVER ARTIST GUILD SCHOLARSHIP -ART INSTITUTE GROUP OF THE MERRIMACK VALLEY, SCHOLARSHIP 2008 -THE BOSTON GLOBE SCHOLASTIC ART AWARD 1ST PLACE GOLD KEY 2009 -THE BOSTON GLOBE SCHOLASTIC ART AWARD 1ST PLACE GOLD KEY -MASSACHUSETTS ART ALL-STATE AWARD