NICHOLAS SIMMONS Nicholas Simmons was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and began painting in Sarasota, Florida. He studied under many well-known watercolorists, most notably Valfred Thëlin and Barbara Nechis. Mr. Simmons enjoyed immediate success as a watercolor artist soon after taking it up, but opted to pursue a music career as a professional guitarist. For many years he only painted occasional commissions, and did not return to visual art until 2004, when he began painting watercolor again and launched his website.
Mr. Simmons’ paintings have been featured in a variety of publications such as L' Art de l' Aquarelle, Watercolor Artist, Watercolor, and a number of books. He has been featured on Maryland Public Television, and in 2008 his acclaimed DVD Innovative Watermedia was released by Creative Catalyst Productions. His work has graced the covers of classical music recordings, including those of world renowned guitar virtuoso, Manuel Barrueco. He is sponsored by Da Vinci Paint, and Escoda Artist Brushes. His Signature Series of Escoda brushes were introduced in 2012. Mr. Simmons is listed in Who's Who in the World.
Awards include top prize at the 2007 National Watercolor Society for his painting Fresh Sushi, consecutive gold medals at the Pennsylvania Watercolor Society, 2008-2009, and the gold medal at the Texas Watercolor Society in 2010. In 2012 he was the first recipient of the National Watercolor Society's special Masters Award for his painting Tsarina.
A 14-page feature in the Winter 2009 issue of Watercolor magazine included this summary of the artist's work, written by John Parks.
Nicholas Simmons paints in watermedia on a scale that rivals oil painting. The subject matter is a dazzling mix of figures juxtaposed with printed lettering, graffiti, Japanese block prints, neon lights, reflections, and lavish corners of nature. The effect can be disorienting, as though a camera has taken a picture by accident, revealing an image that is both exciting and mysterious. The paint itself swirls, floods, drips, and spatters, driven on by the general excitement of the imagery and giving the work a sense that it was done in a rush in a matter of minutes.
Mr. Simmons exhibits internationally as a solo artist and with major watermedia stars in group and invitational exhibitions, as well as one of six members of North American Watercolor Artists (NAWA), representing the United States. He is a charter member of an exclusive international group forming in late 2013 whose mission is to set a new standard in watercolor exhibitions. He has judged numerous exhibitions, and 2010 and 2012 was the sole judge representing the United States at the Shanghai Zhujiajiao International Watercolour Biennial, the world's largest watercolor exhibition. Mr. Simmons is representing the United States as one of five judges for the inaugural World Watercolour Competition, an unprecedented event taking place in France, October 2014, and the judge representing the United States in Russia's first biennial, 2013. He is the Guest of Honor at the Bienal de Caudete 2014 in Spain.
His work is held in public and private collection in the United States, Europe, and China.
Nicholas Simmons' work has earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting artists in contemporary watercolor. His gift for inspiring others makes him sought after as a workshop instructor and lecturer, known for his fresh, unorthodox, and often irreverent approach.
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