About
Daniel Nolan
Born in Milwaukee, WI
Lives & works in Evanston, IL (Chicago)
I am a self taught artist beginning my career in Nuclear Engineering evolving into IT and Process Improvement consulting. My early work focused on tinted resin exploring organic shapes.
I create expressive, facial sculptures from repurposed materials—discarded retail catalogs—that serve both as emotional vessels and sustainable art objects. I craft pieces that serve as mirrors, reflecting my emotional journey. These pieces invite viewers to find reflections of their own emotional experiences within the faces.
​
After years working with environmentally problematic resin, I spent a decade developing my current technique working with paper. This deliberate shift toward sustainability transformed my artistic practice, revealing unexpected possibilities in materials others have discarded.
​
What emerged was a distinctive quality I hadn't anticipated—the repurposed paper develops textures and grain patterns reminiscent of wood. This serendipitous effect adds visual energy to each piece, creating a dynamic presence that reveals new details with each viewing and changing light condition.
My practice stands at the intersection of emotional expressionism and environmental consciousness. By breathing new life into materials destined for waste, I create contemporary, "green" art that speaks to our times while connecting deeply with human experience. Through this work, I hope viewers find moments of recognition—seeing themselves reflected in expressions that wordlessly communicate our shared emotional landscape.
CV
Education
​
1990-1992
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
MS Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics
1986-1990
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
BS Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mathematics
​
Exhibitions & Festivals
​​
2025
“Friends of Dorothy”, Evanston Art Center, Evanston, IL (May 24-June 29, 2025)
3rd Annual “Faces” Exhibition, Ten Moir Gallery, Belvedere Tiburon, CA (Jan 9-29, 2025)
​
2016
The Real Real (Apr - Oct 2026)
Ravenswood Art Walk, Chicago, IL (Oct 2016)
​
2015
Ravenswood Art Walk, Chicago, IL (Oct 2015)
​
2014
Ravenswood Art Walk, Chicago, IL (Oct 2014)
2013
Ravenswood Art Walk, Chicago, IL (Oct 2013)
One-of-a-Kind Show, Chicago, IL (Dec 2013)
2012
Ravenswood Art Walk, Chicago, IL (Oct 2012)
2011
Ravenswood Art Walk, Chicago, IL (Sep 2011)
2010
GLAAD OUTAuction NY 2010, New York, NY (Nov 2010)
Pilsen Open Studios Walk, Nolan Studios, Chicago, IL (Oct 2010)
“Edge-tober”, The Edge Gallery, Chicago, IL (Oct 2010)
Ravenswood Art Walk, Chicago, IL (Oct 2010)
“Universal Love: Embracing The Divinity in All”, Life Force Arts Center, Chicago, IL (Sep 2010 – Jan 2011)
Group Collective Residency, 4Art Inc Gallery, Chicago IL (Sep-Dec 2010)
Group Exhibition, 4Art Inc Gallery, Chicago, IL (Aug 2010)
Lacuna Open Studios, Chicago, IL (July 2010)
2009
“Autumnal Assimilation”, Black Walnut Gallery, Chicago, IL (Oct-Dec 2009)
“Heat”, Black Walnut Gallery, Chicago, IL (Jul 2009)
2008
“Explorations”, The Art Center Highland Park, IL (Dec 2008)
“Series”, Artist Emerge, www.a-emerge.com (Nov-Dec 2008)
Marc Rubin's “Chicago Room” Gallery, Chicago, IL (Sep – Oct 2008)
Black Walnut Gallery, Chicago, IL (Sep 2008)
2007
Around the Coyote Gallery, Chicago, IL (Oct 2007)
Black Walnut Gallery, Chicago, IL (Sep 2007)
The Man Show: Art of the Male Anatomy, Mars Gallery, Chicago, IL (Aug – Sep 2007)
First 40, GLANCe, North Lakeside Cultural Center, Chicago, IL (Jun - Aug 2007)
Black Walnut Gallery, Chicago, IL (Jun 2007)
Darkness: World and Culture, Caladan Gallery, Beverly, MA (May 10 – Jun 2007)
Urban Edges X, Barrington Arts Council, Barrington, IL (Mar 16 – Apr 2007)
2006
Chicago ArtOpen, Chicago, IL (October 15 – Nov 2006)
GLAAD NYC OutAuction 2006, New York, NY, (Oct 2006)
Curator’s Choice Exhibition, Around the Coyote Gallery, Chicago IL (Sep 2006)
Around the Coyote Fall Festival, Chicago IL (Sep 2006)
World of Found, Barcelona, Spain (Oct 2006)
Abstract Mind Mural Project
-
O’Hare International Airport, Chicago, IL (Aug 2006 – Jan 2007)
-
Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago, IL (Apr -Jul 2006)
Around the Coyote Winter Festival, Chicago, IL (Feb 2006)
Piece Restaurant, Chicago, IL (Jan - Jun 2006)
2005
Lincoln Park Art Faire, Chicago, IL (Sep 2005)
​