In 1988 he decided to try painting in earnest. He began by painting race horses. He brought his painting to work and sold it a few days later, so initially he began to focus his creative attentions on horse imagery. He began to be represented at Beresford Gallery in Maryland; which to this day represents some of his work.
Nelligan enjoys hearing someone tell him how much they enjoy his painting—that they look at it every day, and still keep enjoying it. That is his favorite comment from a customer.
Nelligan’s work is regularly exhibited at Beresford Gallery in Saratoga Springs, NY; and has been shown at galleries in Pennsylvania, Florida, South Carolina and Kentucky. His paintings have been sold at the Middleburg Races in Middleburg, VA; the International Gold Cup in The Plains, VA; and the Farmington Hunt Races in Charlottesville, VA. His works appear in both private and public collections, both domestic and international.