Nellie Gail Moulton (1878-1972) was a teacher, wife, mother, rancher, philanthropist,
and artist who lived an extraordinary life to the fullest. She traveled the country and
the world multiple times by ground, sea, and air. She painted along the way.
An avid en plein air artist who painted her entire life, Nellie was dedicated to the
craft. She studied with renowned artists William Wendt, Edgar Payne, Anna Hills, and
Frank Cuprien. Her works reflect the rich beauty of nature and landscapes throughout
California and beyond. Nellie Gail Moulton was a lifetime member of the Laguna
Beach Art Association (Laguna Art Museum) and served as their president from
1948-49. Her paintings are in the permanent collection at Bower’s Museum, Festival
of the Arts, and Chapman University.
Moulton Museum has collected and conserved many of her sketches as well as her
oil-on-board and canvas creations. Her fine art collection with sketches is the first
exhibition in Nellie’s Gallery. We work with our partners to show the depth of Nellie
Gail Moultons’s work in public exhibitions. Nellie’s work has been exhibited at the
Pasadena History Museum, Laguna Woods History Center, Casa Romantica, and
LCAD Gallery. Through the Eyes of a Pioneer Woman: Nellie Gail Moulton will be
on exhibit at Soka University in May 2023. We will have an Artist-in-Residence
program beginning in 2023. Please inquire about our exhibition schedule. Learn more
at moultonmuseum.org/nellie-gail-moulton-exhibit or scan our QR code for a digital
experience.
