September 17, 10:00 am - October 26, 4:00 pm
Cost: Included with admission
Nature doesn’t start in bright pinks or electric oranges, but these paintings do.
In this body of work, explore Nick Napierala’s unique depictions of the natural world. “I begin each piece with an unusual underpainting: layers of bold, unexpected color that peek through the surface. These bright beginnings remind me that perfection isn’t the goal, process is. Every painting is a negotiation between control and letting go, between the natural world and my own lens of experience.”
The subjects, landscapes, florals, animals, come from places that Nick has traveled to, things he has loved, and details he’s noticed when he slows down enough to look. Some pieces hold dual perspectives side by side, echoing the quiet tensions of identity: softness and boldness, natural forms and unnatural colors, seen and unseen.
“Unnatural Nature is about the way things grow, not always the way we expect, but always honestly.”
Meet the artist, Nick Napierala!
Nick Napierala is a painter based in Lancaster, NY, whose work explores the tension between control and spontaneity. Drawing from portraits, travel, nature, and personal reflection, his paintings often begin with bold, unexpected underpaintings, layers that intentionally disrupt perfectionism and invite process-driven discovery. This practice is part of Napierala’s ongoing effort to let go of rigid outcomes and embrace the playful, sometimes unpredictable nature of making art.
Creating has always been a safe space for Napierala, a place where confidence and curiosity converge. He hopes viewers find joy in the unique colors, textures, and subjects he paints, while sensing the undercurrent of risk and revision beneath the surface.
In addition to his studio work, Napierala is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring young artists. He teaches grades 9–12 at Iroquois High School and currently serves as Vice President of the New York State Art Education Association. His students and community continually shape his creative approach, reminding him to keep asking questions, experimenting, and starting again.