Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Kempf.
Hi Nancy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
How often have you read about the fortunate artists who discovered their talent as early as four and continue developing it? That isn’t my story. However, I was lucky enough to have parents who tried their best to help me find my niche. I went through the usual barrage of piano lessons, riding lessons, choir practice, tennis lessons, sewing lessons, modeling classes, and more. Although I enjoyed every class (except choir practice), nothing clicked until I started art class in High School.
The art teacher said I had exceptional talent and I should pursue it. Secretly pleased with the compliment, I started to gain confidence in my newfound talent. After graduating, I went to Pasadena City College to major in art. When I attended PCC, their art department was considered the best of all the California junior colleges. I excelled in my art classes and displayed my drawings on campus.
However, it wasn’t until I was 33 that I began to paint daily. I was encouraged to paint daily by a Denver gallery owner. After many years of showing my paintings at cafes, restaurants, and solo shows, I decided to open a storefront gallery. I had the gallery for many years. After closing the gallery, I participated in juried shows, won awards, and traveled to Paris to exhibit my paintings at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Artists are some of the most diligent and hard-working people that I know. Some obstacles come with the territory, and all challenge your perseverance. When I started out, I found it important to believe in what I was producing. Practice, practice, and a bit more practice seemed to smooth out the technical problems. I had also to believe that time spent in the studio was valuable. I had to designate painting time; sometimes, that would happen when everyone else was sleeping. Running my gallery involved marketing, advertising, stocking the gallery, and pricing. I built a studio within the gallery so that I could work and run the gallery. It was the perfect setup because I had incredible contact with the clients.
After the gallery closed, I was challenged to produce paintings without a permanent venue. Social media has proven successful, but nothing will replace selling art in person. Then again, without IG, I would have never traveled to Paris to exhibit my paintings. It’s a toss-up. I apply to a lot of juried exhibits. I quickly learned to keep applying to exhibits. It’s a law of averages. I get my fair share of acceptances and rejections. With every acceptance or rejection, I immediately follow it up with another application to a juried exhibit. Last May, I won 5 awards because of this method.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m known for my figurative paintings of women and, recently, a series of paintings of the beach. I work in series so I can thoroughly explore a subject. I paint with acrylics on canvas and heavy watercolor paper. I work very fast, so fast-drying acrylic paints are ideal for me. I plan out the painting for figurative paintings before the brush even hits the canvas. This way, I hope to solve any problems before I start. Once I start painting the figures, all the strict planning comes into play. I know where I’m going, allowing me the freedom to improvise if needed. I love the beginning of a painting. The brushwork and paint flow more freely because details are to be done at the end. It’s an exciting and fun part of the work. However, the middle of the painting brings a slower pace, a more exacting brushwork, and possible decisions to be made. Not my favorite part of the painting! The figurative paintings are great for juried exhibits because it displays technical ability. I also tell more of a story with figurative work. I express a woman’s vulnerability vs. her strengths by the position of her body and her hands.
For the paintings of the beach/ocean, I only plan out the composition or the design of the painting. The beach paintings are my favorite ones to do. Expressing the feeling of the beach and the ocean is essential. Everything is the spur of the moment, and decisions are made quickly. The brushwork is very loose and free. I simplify the objects, shapes, and values (the lightness and darkness of a color). Since we live close to the coast, I get to the beach once a week. I love grabbing a cup of coffee and walking the beach.
What were you like growing up?
I had a typical childhood. I have friends all over the US from the different cities we lived in. My favorite place to live was in San Diego. The light there provided the most incredible scenes to paint! Between my parents and the moves I made as an adult, I have lived in 8 states.
Pricing:
- From $50 for prints, $300 – $2000 for originals
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nancykempffineart.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/nancykempf
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancykempffineart
