ARTIST STATEMENT:

Each of my paintings, particularly in the abstract, is a true self-portrait. I’m inspired by my own life of happy mayhem, filled with the realities of being a working mother, wife and artist. Painting is my therapy and passion; an incredible outlet that allows me to express my innermost thoughts, feelings and outside influences. With a constant push and pull between chaos and harmony, I strive to tie these many representational and abstract images together through color, line and form, creating collages and contemporary images connected by layers of color and texture.

Color has been my major thesis throughout my career. I am fascinated by its chemistry and infinite variation and how I can employ color in my paintings to highlight areas of focus and intensity. I also find it important to look at objects without making assumptions about how they “should” look, rather observing their shape, line and color in order to portray them.

ABOUT NANCY B. WESTFALL:

As long as she can remember, Nancy B. Westfall has always wanted to paint. She began her career as an artist at a young age 9, copying Betty and Veronica comics on the way to and from school. At age 14 she began private art lessons, studying with numerous teachers, including renowned Hungarian artist Magda Mader, who focused on perspective, discipline and respect of materials. Nancy B. continued her art studies through college, earning a Bachelors of Fine Art from the University of Georgia in 1993. Her studies took her abroad to Cortona Italy and introduced her to color theory, which has since greatly in!uenced her use and application of color. Following her undergraduate years, Nancy B. apprenticed with several professional artists, until returning to graduate school to pursue a Masters of Art from East Carolina University in 1996. During her graduate program, Nancy B studied with Paul Hartley who taught her how to be brave on canvas, a skill that defines her work

today. Nancy B. began her professional career by painting street scenes in a representational style. Her development as a painter has led to an abstract style where she uses color line and forms to create collages and contemporary images that represent the emotions and influences of her hectic daily life.

A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Nancy B. currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two children. A professional painter, Nancy B. is also a devoted wife, mother and friend. She is active in her community and frequently contributes paintings to local charity and school benefits. Nancy B. shows in galleries across the country, including Gregg Irby Fine Art in Atlanta. Collectors and designers across the country, including several celebrities, appreciate the playful and whimsical, abstract nature of her style, and her paintings have been featured in numerous publications, such as designer Celerie Kimball’s “Celerie Kimball: To Your Taste”, House Beautiful magazine’s “House Beautiful: The Home Book”, Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles, Domino, House Beautiful and more. For additional information and to receive the latest news, please follow Nancy B. on Facebook and visit her website http://www.nancybw.com/index.htm.