About Me

nancy_ballroomI am inspired by life experiences as so recently witnessing the birth of my grand nephew. How could this not infuse my art? Muse and the quietening of my excitable nature, comes from audio books, walking along the waterfront, music and ballroom dancing.

The bouncing fun of the jive, love-hate tug of the tango or the glide of the foxtrot that elicits an immediate smile on my face paired with the antics of the birds out my window triggers my imagination in search of the next metaphor.

Like a director of a play, I set my birds, objects and musical scores frolicking with whimsy, wonderment and mystery resulting in fanciful or odd notions.

‘Working in a series’ approach, like variations on a theme in music, affords me the opportunity to stay with an idea and settle into and develop images one leading to another and the next. It is the mining of an inspiration, a theme and a subject.

My love affair with the immediacy of soft pastel as I caress my surfaces has been deeply engaging for years as I add techniques, new brands of pastels and papers.

More recently in response to my experiences with death and birth, I have been nudged into a playful exploration of new materials and mixing media with my beloved pastels. Why not?

Teaching

Since 1998 I have loved giving workshops and courses in Victoria, the islands and Alberta.

What a thrill each summer to participate in TD Gallery of Greater Victoria Paint-in, bringing my studio outdoors as a river of people flow by.

Since 2003 and until it’s last year 2015 I have been one of the artists in residence at Painters at Painters, Painters Lodge, Campbell River, giving workshops and presentations in this unique setting.

Shows

Conceived, juried and exhibited in the 2016 show Black White & Grey all Over, Main Gallery, CAC, Victoria.

For 3 years I have been an Artist in Residence at Oak Bay Beach Hotel, Victoria, exhibiting, demonstrating and interacting with the clientele from around the world.

My new venture into Collaborative work had me exhibiting in a fall 2015 show, In – Cahoots, Slide Room Gallery, Victoria.

In 2012 my Solo Show ‘Nesting Instinct’ Winchester Gallery, Victoria, signified a turning point in my work and all that has followed.