Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nancy Christy-Moore. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nancy, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
From childhood on I thought of myself as an artist. My mom was a Fashion Illustrator and taught me to “see” things and draw and paint them. Early success in school art classes also contributed to this self-image. So naturally I pursued art in classes as an art major in college and then at 2 outstanding commercial art schools. I also enjoyed teaching others the joy and challenges of creating art.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My art education after college at Columbia Christian College in Missouri took place at two commercial art schools: the American Academy of Art in Chicago and the Art Center School in Los Angeles. Rather than pursuing a commercial art career, I married, had a child and didn’t return to my art until my late 30s when, after an epiphany, I chose to pursue painting as a fine artist. I was determined to express myself through my art, rather than be paid to express what a client wanted.
Starting as a watercolor artist after discovering an allergy to oil paints, I soon moved into the world of acrylics and mixed media creating abstract art and intuitive painting. I began exhibiting my art and teaching in the Southern California areas where I resided.
Years later when relocating to Kansas, I continued exhibiting my work in galleries and art centers, and teaching in adult education non-credit classes for both junior college and art centers as I had in California. Then when we relocated to Arizona, I continued exhibiting and teaching workshops in galleries, museums, art centers, and privately.
To date, I have had over 20 solo exhibits, including two in Japan, and I have received many honors and awards over the past forty-plus years of my painting career. I feel blessed to be able to continue painting, teaching, and exhibiting my work at this stage of my life.
The most exciting part of my “style” of intuitive painting, which I call “Inner Painting” is the process itself. I create chaos and bring order out of it. Usually, I texture the canvas first, then pour the acrylics (or the alcohol inks, my new love) over the textured surface. After drying, I “discover” images within the colors and shapes. Using this process, my very popular Horse Series came into being. I also use this imagery imagination technique to create my Blooms Series. Composing the painting as I go, rather than planning it all out before starting, I am constantly challenged and excited to bring the work to life. My paintings are built using a layering process and that encourages spontaneity and emotional engagement. I love using strong colors combined with energetic movement to express my emotional attachments while telling the story I find revealed in each painting as I bring it to completion.
My latest love is using the very brilliant alcohol inks and many times combining them with overpainting of acrylics. I am still experimenting with this combination and am loving the results!
Being selected and filmed as a featured artist by the internationally known Australian group, “Put Some Color In Your Life” in 2017 put me and my art process on an international stage! My 24-minute film is featured in Season 5 as episode 16. I have also produced 31 free short teaching videos on YouTube: www.youtube.com/
Over the years I have been represented by top galleries in several different states. Currently, I am represented by Visions Fine Art Gallery in Sedona, Arizona and Ground Floor Art Gallery in Surprise, Arizona.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
It’s difficult to quantify the skills I have had to utilize as a successful fine artist, but I would have to say the most important ones are: being organized, being persistent, and being excited about pursuing my dreams.
Artists face continuing challenges of organizing their schedules and life to facilitate the delivery of quality fine art. In addition, the marketing and promotion of the work involves planning and compromises that are sometimes very difficult. This is where persistence and determination to succeed come in. Very few of us have agents, so we have to develop and build those skills if we are to succeed. I was fortunate to have had extensive business experience before entering the creative world, so I can use those skills to my advantage. Most do not have that training at art schools or colleges, but there are classes one can take to add them to your skill set. I would recommend seeking that training or hiring a high-end agent.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
The two most important people in my life who have encouraged me on my artistic path were my mother and my late husband, Jack. My mother made me aware of my talent and encouraged and developed it by offering classes and being supportive in every way she could. My late husband, Jack never let me down. In addition to packing and carrying my artwork, sitting with me at art venues, assisting me with hanging exhibits and in general being my top assistant, he encouraged my spirit when I was down and lifted me up so I could go on with the show.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nchristy.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1062265190
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/nancychristymoore
Image Credits
No credits (me) Nancy Christy-Moore
