By: PR Fueled
August 21, 2024 – For Jane McNichol, the leap from the tranquil suburbs of Philadelphia to the vibrant streets of Manhattan wasn’t just a change in scenery but a significant evolution in her artistic career. Known for her rich landscapes and sensitive treatment of light and color, McNichol has carved out a unique space in the art world, balancing the serene expanse of natural settings with the pulsating energy of city life.
McNichol’s artistic path has been defined by constant movement. After earning a degree in Studio Arts from Temple University and studying at the Tyler School of Art in Rome, she pursued opportunities that took her from the countryside of New Hampshire as a MacDowell Fellow to residencies on the rocky shores of Great Sprucehead Island, Maine. Yet, through these varied experiences, she has remained grounded in her commitment to capturing the beauty of her surroundings, whether vast rural landscapes or intimate urban corners.
Her early work involved plein air painting, a practice where she directly engaged with the landscapes that inspired her. But in recent years, McNichol has transitioned to creating works from sketches, photographs, and memories, a shift that mirrors the ever-changing nature of her subjects. “The city never stands still,” she notes, “and neither does my art.” Her paintings, now more focused on abstract forms and the interplay of light, still carry the essence of the spaces she loves—whether it’s the open fields of the Midwest or the reflective stillness of a Brooklyn rooftop.
In addition to her paintings, McNichol has demonstrated her artistic versatility through an array of charcoal drawings and monoprints. Her works have been exhibited widely, from solo shows at Villanova University’s Connelly Center to juried exhibitions throughout the United States. Critics have noted the subtle power in her ability to distill complex emotions through her compositions, using color as an invigorating and serene language.
McNichol’s portfolio isn’t just a collection of landscapes; it’s also a commentary on the environments she deeply cares about. An advocate for conservation, she has used her art to highlight the fragile beauty of ecologically compromised regions, like New Jersey’s Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge. Her 2006 exhibition at Villanova University was particularly noted for capturing the intersection of nature and human impact, earning praise as one of the gallery’s standout displays.
Over her career, McNichol has received numerous honors, a testament to the impact of her work. These include a grant from the prestigious Pollock-Krasner Foundation and recognition from the esteemed Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Foundation. Her work is included in over 40 private and public collections, with pieces displayed in institutions like the U.S. Department of State and McGraw Hill.
While the artist’s career has taken her across continents and back, her love for natural and built environments remains at the heart of her work. Whether exploring the quiet stillness of a rural scene or the dynamic energy of a city skyline, McNichol continues to find inspiration in the interplay between light, color, and space—a journey that keeps her, as she says, “always moving forward.”
Published By: Aize Perez
