IN NATURE, ART FLOURISHES WHERE THERE IS A KEEN SENSE of place and an abiding respect for the creatures which inhabit it.
For contemporary impressionist painter Rana Jordahl, the South Carolina Lowcountry has proved an ideal match for her creative process. “Over the years, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the delicate balance between our unique landscape and the wildlife it sustains,” says Jordahl, a Charleston resident since 2002. “For me, the magic happens in the interplay between the two: the vibrant, layered textures of the marshes and waterways provide the perfect backdrop for the birds I love, like the Roseate Spoonbills, white egrets and herons.”
She says that having a “front-row seat” at places like Magnolia Plantation’s Audubon Swamp Garden during nesting season is invaluable, allowing her to witness the energy and personality of these birds in a thriving ecosystem, which Jordahl translates onto the canvas.
While her husband’s career was the initial reason for the move to Charleston, it was the beauty and unique spirit of the Lowcountry that redirected her life. “The surrounding environments were so compelling that they acted as a catalyst, prompting me to finally transition from the advertising world into the realm of fine art,” she says.
Born in Alabama and raised in Iowa, the artist says her cross-cultural background serves as the foundation of her work. “It’s the reason my subjects are just as likely to be nostalgic rural farm animals as they are elegant coastal birds of the Lowcountry. I love that my work can bridge those two distinct landscapes.”
Jordahl came to art obliquely. Her formal training was in advertising and graphic design at Iowa State University. She worked professionally in the field for six years before gravitating to art, her true calling. “To bridge that transition, I committed myself to a rigorous path of continuing education, attending numerous workshops and studying under established mentors, she says. “This blend of formal design principles and self-driven technical study is what allows me to approach wildlife subjects with a fresh, contemporary eye.”
Landscapes and animals are Jordahl’s subject matter, with principal emphasis on the latter. She characterizes her approach as a journey from observation to interpretation. “It begins in the field with my camera, where I capture thousands of reference photos and soak in the direct experience of the landscape,” she explains. “Back in the studio, as those memories percolate, I work through several thumbnail sketches to find the most compelling composition.” Once the composition is set, she carefully curates “a harmonious color palette” before paint touches canvas. “By abstracting the background and softening the details, I invite the viewer to fill in the blanks and bring their own personal narrative to the piece.”
Jordahl says that for her, contemporary impressionism represents an evolution. Although she still leans on the core principles, she says that observing the world to capture those fleeting moments of light and shadow allows her to expand the boundaries. “I prioritize seeing over knowing, using a more vibrant, intuitive palette and bolder, expressionist mark-making,” she explains. “My goal isn’t to document a scene literally but to translate it into an intended reality. It’s about heightening the colors and textures to craft an atmosphere that invites the viewer to step into my specific vision of the wild.”
The artist finds the sense of play and experimentation of this style to be compelling. While her work is rooted in traditional fundamentals, contemporary impressionism enables her to be far more interpretive and loose. “Often, a painting begins not just with a subject but with an experiment in paint application,” says Jordahl, whose work currently is showcased at The Gallery by SEWE in Charleston and at Anne Neilson Fine Art in Charlotte, North Carolina. “I love moving beyond the brush to use palette knives, brayers and squeegees; there’s a distinct thrill in discovering a texture or effect I’ve never achieved before. That is what keeps me from feeling stagnant. It’s this constant push for the new that has forged my current style, and I hope to keep evolving that language for years to come.”
Jordahl prioritizes what she calls “the intentional application of paint,” blending traditional roots with a contemporary edge that is as vital as the subject itself. She wants the texture and the marks on the canvas to be just as captivating as the subject, heightening the overall experience for anyone who views it.
It’s about capturing and expressing the emotional energy she seeks to produce, the most rewarding aspect of which is the challenge of redefining representation. “I find it incredibly fulfilling to soften the edges of reality to reveal the mood underneath,” she says. “By blurring those traditional boundaries, I can translate the raw, kinetic energy of wildlife into something that resonates on a more instinctive, emotional level. I want to capture the spirit of a moment and the animal rather than a static image, finding the balance between the subject and the surface. I achieve this through a heavy emphasis on texture and ‘broken color,’ using tools to build layers that feel organic and unpredictable, much like nature itself.”
By leaving some parts of the canvas to the viewer’s imagination, the work becomes a conversation rather than just a statement, which Jordahl finds prevents it from feeling like a portrait or a cliché.
Jordahl’s work was accepted into the prestigious Oil Painters of America National Exhibition in 2024 and again this year. She also counts as her milestones receiving the Best Animal & Birds Award from PleinAir Magazine’s Plein Air Salon Juried Art Competition in 2025 and 2026, and winning Best of Show at the 2024 Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition, validation from the Charleston community that is special to her. She has also exhibited at the renowned National Museum of Wildlife in Jackson, Wyoming, and numerous other venues.
Paused for a time but soon to resume are Jordahl’s one-day workshops, aimed at helping attendees create vibrant, emotional environments while “still honoring the anatomical integrity of their subjects.” She says there is nothing quite like “witnessing those ‘aha!’ moments” when a student finally breaks through to a new level of expression.
But the most rewarding part of her art is witnessing the spark of emotional connection when a viewer engages with a piece. “Within the wildlife genre, I especially treasure the sense of camaraderie,” she says. “There’s a powerful bond between artists and collectors who share a deep-seated passion for nature and conservation. We truly revel in that shared knowledge and experience.” *
Bill Thompson covers the arts, design, film and books.
