It was silent like in a church when Neil Nagy made the first mark on the canvas and for the next two hours the gallery turned into a stage for the Bay Area Figurative artist. In the end the 40 invited collectors of his work were mesmerized by the talent and the courage to open up the intimate and very private process of painting to this select audience.
Neil Nagy, one of the most successful artists of the gallery, allowed a select audience to watch him work on an empty canvas, measuring 6’ x 18’. With his model present he began to sketch directly onto the canvas with charcoal and later he also worked with oil and acrylic paints as well. The guests were able to witness the pivotal moment of the artist beginning a new painting – a moment that many artists have talked and written about.
The title of the event was “The First Hour” (see previous post) and during the Q&A Neil Nagy narrowed it down. “It is more like ‘the first mark on the canvas’. You build up anticipation, almost anxiety and the energy level rises until it is unleashed in one initial moment of approaching the empty canvas and making the first mark” explains Nagy when asked about the concept of this performance.
After two hours the guests of the gallery were unanimous in their appreciation of this event. “Having been able to literally watch over the shoulder of an accomplished and professional artist like Neil while he is sketching and painting with his beautiful model present, changed my whole outlook and appreciation for his work. After only four lines you could recognize the model and then he took it to a whole new level.” was one of the comments that we captured after the event was over.
All in all an unforgettable evening and an event that will be remembered for a long time.
