Nancy R. Thomas
September 8, 2015
“Painting, like dancing, requires rhythm and timing”
according to artist, Nancy Thomas. Having had a twenty five plus year career in Middle Eastern Dance, as well as Visual Art, Thomas feels qualified to make this statement.
Thomas began studying art in the 1970’s at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA and the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C. For a time most of her energy was consumed by her career in dance, which afforded extensive travel throughout Europe, Canada, the Middle East and Greece. The careers overlapped in the early 1980’s.
While performing in Washington, Thomas chanced to meet two artists, Alan Gramley, a local painter and Robert Chapman, a personal assistant to Willem De Kooning. Thomas started painting diligently with Gramley who taught her to paint in the style of the old masters, using transparent glazes in oil. She also had the privilege of meeting and visiting the studios of both Elaine De Kooning and Willem De Kooning, a thrill never to be forgotten.
From this point forward art became a focal point. While performing nights, Thomas attended school by day earning an Associates Degree in Fine Art, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1990 from Northern Virginia Community College. While in School, a “Project Study Tour” of Italy, prompted Thomas to take up Watercolor as a primary medium which she used exclusively for fifteen years.
Thomas moved to the Eastern Shore in 1994 after marrying her husband, Merrill, a native of Kent Island. She soon grew to love the wide open skies and ever changing colors of the fields. Since living in a rural area near Ridgely, the surrounding farm land has become prominent subject matter of her paintings.
Nancy retired from dance in 2001 and has since concentrated solely on the Visual Arts. She continues to paint full time in her home studio, Meadow Wood. In addition, she enjoys making Clay Mono Prints in the tradition of Mitch Lyons, the creator of the method, with whom she studied.
Thomas is a juried member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society, The Washington Watercolor Association and The Working Artists Forum of Easton, President 2006-2009. Thomas became a Partner in the Artists’ Gallery in 2010. Her work reflects her love of dance, travel and local scenery.
Web: www.nancyrthomas.com
Face book: Nancy R. Thomas, Fine Art
Email: nancythomasart@gmail.com
Contact Nancy at the Gallery at 410-778-2425 or via email.