About Jeffrey Nelson
Rooted in a lifelong commitment for the need to create, my work explores graphic art, painting, mixed media, photography, puppetry, and sculpture, I use each medium to discover beauty, movement, emotion, and the visual stories that shape my experience.
Travel, personal memory, and observation are central to my work. This diverse contemporary collection explores portraiture, cityscapes, landscapes, florals, and abstractions through vibrant graphic forms, and expressive storytelling.
Primarily created in acrylic, with select watercolor and ink works, the pieces celebrate cultural identity, personal connections, nature, and memorable destinations—from Hawaii, the Grand Canyon, Manhattan, Paris, Southern California, New England, and the Italian Riviera live in my visual memory and often reappear as color, texture, rhythm, nature, pattern, and form.
My creative process is guided by focus, experimentation, and a search for connection. Whether I am working with bold color, layered abstractions, imagery, digital processes, or portraiture, I create artwork that feels vivid, personal, and emotionally present. Influenced by time spent studying artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso. My portrait work combines photographic references with vibrant abstract color, layered patterns, and expressive brushwork. Through every medium and series, my goal is to transform what I feel into artwork that invites viewers to look closely and find their own connection.
Art Exhibitions
2020 Celebrating Color, Rene Soto Gallery and Saugatuck Church, Westport, CT, USA
2020 Vanishing, Rene Soto Gallery, Norwalk, CT, USA
2019 Wilton Library Show and Loft Artists Association, Wilton, CT, USA
2019 Lock Works, Stamford Museum & Loft Artists Association, Stamford, CT, USA
2019 Rene Soto Gallery, Norwalk, CT USA
2019 New Member Show, Loft Artist Association, Stamford, CT, USA
2018 Holiday Pop Up Art Show, Loft Artist Association, Stamford, CT, USA
2018 Open Studios 2018, Loft Artist Association, Stamford, CT, USA
2017 Deloitte University, West Lake, TX, USA
2016 Solo Exhibition, UNCON, Stamford, CT USA
2015 Solo Exhibition, UNCON, Stamford, CT, USA
2014 Solo Exhibition, Musée du Croco, Milan, Italy
Art Painting Workshop Facilitator
2024 Tri-State Painting Event, Live in Stamford via NYC and Morristown, NJ
Summer Intern Painting at 30Rock, New York City, NY, USA
Discuss and draw, Stamford, CT USA
2023 Painting Event, Live in NYC via Stamford, CT and Morristown, NJ, USA
IDAHOT Painting flowerpots and tote bags, Stamford, CT, USA
Black History Month Art Class, Stamford, CT, USA
2022 In-Person Art Class, Stamford, CT, USA
2021 In-Office Art Class, Stamford, CT, USA
Personal Information
203-276-9813
Artist residence, Stamford CT
Jeffrey L. Nelson-Artist
Jeffrey Nelson
Jeffrey Nelson-Artist
Jeffrey Nelson
@jeffreyartist52
Skills
Art Collections
2022 Private collection, Estonia, CT - Edible Colors
2021 Private collection, Estonia, CT - Senora Celia Cruz
2021 Private collection, New York, NY – Venezia Canale Reflection
2020 Private collection, San Francisco, CA – The Woods
2018 Private collection, Lancaster, CA – Koi Pond
2017 Private collection, Riverside, CT - World Trade Center (b&w)
2017 Private collection, Westlake, TX - 5 Digital Paintings
2016 Private collection, Stamford, CT - Three Bridges Over the East River
2016 Private collection, Stamford, CT - Blue Flowers
2015 Private collection, Stamford, CT - Midtown Reflections
2015 Commissioned, Rye Brook, NY - Empire Sunset
2015 Private collection, Mount Kisco, NY - Spring Blossoms
2011 Private collection, Norwalk, CT - Always Near By
2011 Private collection, Norwalk, CT – Colorato Ponte Vecchio
● Acrylic Painting
● Watercolor Painting
● Digital Painting
● Photoshop Elements 13
● Design Sculpey Clay
● Design wooden figurines
● Photoshop CC
● Photographer
● Design Rod Puppets
● Design Foam Puppet
● Design Hand Puppet
● Design and construct
puppet scenery, stage and props ● Design and construct Facemasks, Clay, Rubber,
Leather and Paper Machie
● Design Marionettes
Printable Resume
Press
1998 BlackStar Newspaper, Harlem’s Puppet Master
1997 Trickle Up Program Newsletter, International-The Puppetman: New York City
1995 CNN Prime News
1994 The New York Beacon Newspaper-The 16th Annual Harlem Christmas Tree Lighting
1992 New York Amsterdam Newspaper-Hale House Christmas Celebration
1992 Entertainment Tonight, WCBS-Hale House Christmas Celebration
1992 The Big Red Newspaper, NY-Jeffrey L. Nelson a/k/a Le Puppetman
Education
2001 Computer Technician / 3D Animation, The Career Center, NY
1999 Facial Mask Making, School of Visual Arts, NY
1991 Study under Raymond Billingsley, Creator of “Curtis”, comic strip, NY
1990 Apprentice to Bruce Cannon, Master Puppeteer, Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, NY
1983 Travel and Tourism, Sawyer College of Business, Sherman Oaks, CA
1980 Technical Drafting, David Starr Jordan High, Los Angeles, CA
1979 Visual Arts, Los Angeles Southwest College, Los Angeles, CA
Extended Work History
Related Professional Experience
Founder, Le Puppetman Puppetry, New York, NY and Stamford, CT. Variety Shows, Educational and Recreational Workshops, Custom made Puppets and figurines.
Master Puppeteer and Artist Educator, City Parks Foundation, New York, NY. Performing in “The Peter Pan Game” and “Sleeping Beauty” Shows at the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park. Troubleshoot and emphasize theatrical protocol. Design and maintain puppets, scenery, stage and props.
African American Musical Puppetry - touring puppet show, Le Puppetman Puppetry and New York Children Theatre.
The Big Apple Star Search - touring puppet show, Marionette Theatre in Central Park and New York City Parks, Recreation Centers and Playgrounds.
Harlem River Drive - touring puppet show, Bruce Cannon Puppetry Productions and New York Children’s Theatre.
Member of the Union International de la Marionette, UNIMA-USA
Member of The Puppeteers of America, Inc
Member of the Connecticut Guild of Puppetry
Member of Stamford Art Association
Member of Loft Artists Association