In this episode of the Plein Air Podcast, Eric Rhoads talks with Western artist Nicholas Coleman about growing up as the son of renowned artist Michael Coleman, developing his own identity as a painter, and building a career around his lifelong fascination with the American West.
Watch and listen to Plein Air Podcast Episode 274:
Nicholas shares how painting alongside his father influenced his early development, why getting an opportunity is different from building a lasting career, and what helped him distinguish his work while carrying forward a recognizable Coleman artistic legacy.
They also discuss the importance of truly knowing your subject, Nicholas’s extensive research into Western history, and why authenticity matters when depicting the people, landscapes, and stories of the West. Nicholas explains why he believes artists should paint what they genuinely love instead of chasing what they think the market wants—and why passion, enthusiasm, and consistent work ultimately show up in the paintings.
Eric and Nicholas also explore plein air painting, working from photographs and sketches, learning to capture light and atmosphere, overcoming artistic struggles, and the historic painters who continue to inspire Nicholas, including Thomas Moran, Albert Bierstadt, Frederic Edwin Church, and Winslow Homer.
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Blog post prepared for the web by Cherie Dawn Haas, Editor of Plein Air Today
