After graduating college and pursuing careers in engineering and then graphic design, Nick Ward knew that neither of these paths were right for him. He hopped in his car and headed west to explore the country, and see and do as many interesting things as possible. It was on this trip that he discovered it wasn’t scenic America that inspired him but rather the unique individuals he met as he went from town to town.

After talking to strangers from all walks of life, from all parts of the country, Nick returned from this trip with an entirely new perspective for his art, one that focuses on what motivates people to do the things they do.  “It is just so fascinating,” he states, “the way people will try to look and act differently based on whom they are interacting with. My work is all about people – how they interrelate, how they portray themselves, and how they make me feel.”

Nick appreciates things about other people that they may not appreciate about themselves, and this is reflected in his paintings, as he is inspired by the features that make individuals distinct – moles, freckles, scars, etc. His paintings provide a refreshing counterpoint to the retouched images we are force-fed every day in magazines and on television, presenting flawless beauty as the ideal. Nick explains: “This is the reason that I study the colors so closely and try to make each brush stroke stand up on its own. As a sort of strike against overly blended, overly perfect images.”

Nick currently resides and paints in the Distillery, a former rum distillery turned artist haven, and the hub of the young and vibrant art scene in Boston.

Web site: nickwardonline.com