Guy Nelson

Nelson lives and works in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and holds an MFA from Pratt Institute (Brooklyn, NY). He has had solo exhibitions at the North Dakota Museum of Art, Grand Forks, ND; WICK, Minneapolis, MN; Transmitter Gallery, NY; ChaShaMa, NY; and UICA in Grand Rapids, MI, and has been exhibited in numerous group exhibitions. His work is in collections throughout the United States.


Artist Statement

The natural world is my setting to comment on the balance between preservation and progress, particularly through our shared environment with plants. Working primarily with acrylic on linen and canvas—enhanced by atmospheric layers of spray paint—I create surfaces that feel alive with mystery. Through layers, brush strokes, and color placement, I aim for viewers to slow down and, by focusing, experience an unfolding where the paintings give back, much like the natural world.

Beyond the studio, I’m involved in land conservation, planting trees, managing woodlands and prairies, and maintaining over 100 acres of native grasses. I see my work on the soil as intrinsically tied to my creative practice—shaped by observation and guided by an intuitive connection to the collective consciousness. My curiosity spans scientific phenomena and the unexplained moments I encounter outdoors, where the boundary between the material world and something greater feels porous.

Responding to the upper Midwest, I have broadened my exploration to the mysteries of woodlands and prairies, drawing parallels between plant resilience and human experiences—self-preservation, community, and adaptability. My fictional compositions blend familiar elements with mystical themes.

Nature is more than a subject—it is a source of understanding, a place where questions lead to deeper exploration.


www.guynelson.com