Swampscott Artist Paints Everyday Life and Shows Wonder

Nicholas Mancini's art is changing.

The 26-year-old painter from Swampscott will display his new work at the Brush Strokes Gallery in Marblehead from June 1-29.

Brush Strokes is where he has his studio and where his opening reception will be on Friday, June 7, 7 - 9 pm.

This is Nicholas' second area show. He last showed his work two years ago at Gaga Gallery in Swampscott.

His work has changed since then.

In June 2011, he was a year removed from graduation at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and back just six months from studying in Norway. He spent time in Florence, Italy, too.

He said time away, travel, leads him to see his home in a new way when he returns.

The works he will show next month were painted in Swampscott and Marblehead over the past year.

The paintings are from his everyday life but less realistic than those he did for the last show, he said.

The new works lean toward dream land.

The things you see are recognizable as chairs, people, a table. And they are pleasing.

But they are shifting, drifting where time and meaning aren't obvious.

In a chair painting the seats look to be held in place as much by shadows the legs and braces cast.

The paintings, like a story or a dream, keep your attention.

And the more you look at them the more you wonder. 

You can see Nicholas' works at 14 Prospect St. in Marblehead.

His website is www.namancini.com