Inspired by the heroes of the imagination, Neilson Carlin has always been fascinated with people.  

A childhood love of mythology and comic books nurtured this interest until he was introduced to the great painters and sculptors of the Italian Renaissance. Consequently, portraiture and the human figure have been the central motifs in much of his work.

Throughout his education, Neilson was attracted to instructors who mirrored not only his interest in the figure but also his love of masterful realist painting.  While earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia , Neilson was fortunate to study under Martha Erlebacher and Reneé Foulks, both leading contemporary figure painters.  He concluded his studies privately with New York figure painter and instructor Michael Aviano.  Through Aviano, star pupil of the Art Students League instructor Frank J. Reilly, Neilson traces his instructional lineage directly to the Ecole des Beaux-Arts of 19th century France .

Motivated by interests in theology and philosophy, Neilson uses allegory to create paintings that reflect sacred themes fundamental to the human experience. Whether still life or figure, each work is an effort to selectively re-create the world to communicate universal ideas. To constantly renew his sense of the sacred in the world around him, he paints almost exclusively from direct observation.

Neilson works for both the Renaissance Portrait Studio and The Brandywine Atelier School of Classical Painting in Kennett Square, Pa. At the portrait studio, he seeks patrons who share his love of traditional portraiture.  As an instructor at the atelier, he hopes to attract students who share his goal of championing realism. By concise instruction in drawing, painting and composition, he is  training the next generation of artists and advancing the Classical Realist tradition.

Neilson is represented by Wynne-Falconer Gallery, Chatham, Ma.; Hardcastle Gallery, Centreville, De.; Gallery Roca, Havre de Grace, Md.; and McBride Gallery, Annapolis , Md.   His paintings are found in private and corporate collections including MBNA America, Genesis Health Ventures, The Bayard-Taylor Memorial Library and the Mt. Cuba Astronomical Observatory.

As well, his work has been exhibited at the Arnot Art Museum , the Arts Club of Washington, the Louise Wells Cameron Museum and The Salmagundi Club. For the last four years his work has been selected for the Art of the State competition at the State Museum of Pennsylvania from among thousands of artists across the Commonwealth. In 2003 his painting “Transcendence” was awarded First Place in the Still Life category of The Artist’s Magazine’s 20th Annual National Art Competition. In 2004 his painting “Emergence” was awarded Second Place in the Portrait category of The Artist’s Magazine’s 21st Annual National Art Competition. Both of these paintings were selected from over twelve thousand entries across the United States . Most recently he had a drawing featured in the Spring 2006 American Artist Drawing Magazine. In addition, four of his drawings were selected to appear in the upcoming book, “Strokes of Genius: The Best of Drawing”.