Featured image: Looking Out, Nicholas Lessig, 2020, acrylic on canvas, 12 x 9 in. / 30.48 x 22.86 cm.
Nicholas Lessig’s work bridges the space between natural realism and surreal mysticism, drawing the viewer into landscapes imbued with emotion and narrative depth.
Nicholas Lessig’s paintings explore themes of solitude, mystery, and the natural world, blending realism with surrealism to evoke emotion and narrative depth.
His paintings explore themes of isolation, connection, and the unknown. Through detailed acrylic work, Lessig transports the viewer into realms where nature and imagination collide.
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To Get Me to Get a Hold of You, Nicholas Lessig, 2024, acrylic on board, 11 x 14 in. / 27.94 x 35.56 cm.
This haunting piece captures a lone figure in the distance, cloaked in moss with antlers rising from their head, sitting at the edge of a vast frozen expanse. The rocky foreground is rich with melting snow and deep puddles reflecting the sky, while birds hover just above the ice. The interplay of stark winter tones and the silent presence of the figure evoke a sense of longing, solitude, and the vastness of time. The painting’s title suggests an attempt to reach out, yet the landscape remains unmoved—an eternal witness to fleeting human existence.
Through the Rock and the Brush, Nicholas Lessig, 2018, acrylic on canvas, 14 x 11 in. / 35.56 x 27.94 cm.
A gnarled, leafless tree stretches its limbs skyward in this desert landscape, its twisted form echoing the resilience of nature. The bright blue sky contrasts sharply with the dry, rugged terrain, making the tree’s pale bark and intricate branches appear almost sculptural. Lessig’s attention to texture and organic forms showcases his ability to highlight the raw beauty of the wilderness. The painting resonates with themes of survival and perseverance, offering a stark yet beautiful portrayal of life’s endurance in an unforgiving landscape.
Root & Comb, Nicholas Lessig, 2024, acrylic on canvas, 12 x 16 in. / 30.48 x 40.64 cm.
In this mysterious nighttime scene, a cloaked figure with a glowing light wanders through a darkened swamp. Surrounded by towering trees and reflective waters, the composition is rich with texture and shadows, enhanced by deep blues and ethereal whites. A raven observes the traveler, adding an element of folklore and wisdom to the piece. The ghostly presence of birds above the water adds an unsettling yet magical quality, reinforcing the idea of the unknown lurking just beneath the surface. This painting explores the intersection of the natural and supernatural, hinting at a journey into the unknown.
Lessig’s paintings connect the viewer to the silent narratives of the natural world, where time, memory, and the spiritual realm intertwine. His works reflect nature’s quiet resilience and the mysteries hidden within it. Each piece invites contemplation, urging us to step beyond what is seen and into what is felt.
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