Hi. Thanks to The Gathered Gallery for asking me to be their November Digital Artist in Residence! My name is Nelson White and I am a representational painter, which means I paint stuff that looks like stuff. I am also and indigenous artist, but prefer artist who is indigenous (why limit yourself). I am a figurative painter - I like to paint people.
So who am I? I grew up in Flat Bay, Newfoundland, a small native community on the west coast of the province. I am very proud of my little village. It is a place of great community pride, teachings, and extended family. It can teach you an awareness of who you are and never let you get too full of yourself.
I came from a very close family who are very supportive and enthusiastic for what I do, as I am for them.
I went to the (then) Bay St. George Community College in Stephenville as part of the visual arts program and then went to the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. I worked in advertising for a bit and did a few other things, but decided to go back to school for and do, of all things, a Sports Administration Degree. That led me to a career in hockey for a number of years, which included working for Canada’s World Junior team, winning an American League Championship in Saint John with Calgary’s farm team, and working with NHL’s Central Scouting.
I came back to NL and was working in for a non-profit as well as scouting and traveling a lot. All the while I was still painting and drawing. But about 6 years ago I asked myself what did I really want to do and the answer was to paint! So I changed jobs, took something with less responsibility and travel to lighten my schedule. I was always going to paint (it’s my solace and keeps me sane..ish) but I needed the time to do the other stuff; the submissions, the marketing, the shows.
Since that time things have been going pretty well. Over the last number of years, I’ve exhibited frequently throughout Canada and the US in both group and solo shows. My work has been featured on CBC’s The National. I have paintings included in public in private collections across North America, including the provincial art collection of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian.
So, I have a pretty eclectic background. We all find our way... just some of use take a more winding road.
