Craig Nelson

Anticipation (Portrait of Artist Brian Blood)

• Oil on canvas
• 23.5" x 17.5", artwork
• 29.5" x 23.5" x 2.5", framed
• Contemporary

$3,500

Provenance
Consigned to American Legacy Fine Arts; from the private collection of the Katherine A. Norris Legacy Collection, Huntington Beach, California, by descent; acquired in 2007 by Katherine A. Norris, Newport Beach, California from the Artist

Description
Craig Nelson’s “Anticipation (Portrait of Brian Blood)” is a dynamic and expressive oil painting that captures a quiet yet potent moment of observation. Set in what appears to be a bustling art gallery or café—suggested by the richly lit background filled with paintings and figures—the composition centers on fellow artist Brian Blood, rendered with sensitivity and insight.

Wearing a hat and glasses, and framed by bold shadows and strategic highlights, Blood is depicted mid-thought, his profile illuminated by warm, directional light. His body is turned slightly away from the viewer, suggesting an inward focus or a moment of contemplation amid the social setting. Nelson's signature painterly brushwork conveys atmosphere and immediacy, with confident strokes that emphasize gesture, light, and form over meticulous detail.

The work stands as more than a portrait—it’s a study of the artist’s life from the perspective of a peer. Nelson and Blood, both longtime instructors at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, share not only a professional camaraderie but also a deep understanding of the artistic experience. This painting is imbued with that mutual respect, offering a glimpse into the world of working artists who remain devoted to both practice and mentorship.

Created: 2007

Signed: “Craig” on front lower right and on back

Frame:
Crafted by the Art & Frame Company of Costa Mesa, California.

Verso:
Gallery label from American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, California
Framer’s label from Art & Frame Company, Costa Mesa, California

Condition: Excellent

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