Meet Nancy Hawkins | Plein Air Artist

Art and creative seemed to be the only ability I could excel in. In my senior year of high school we had a wonderful art teacher who was trained in the Philadelphia School of Art. He introduced us to painting from life, both out in the landscape and interior still live’s. This has been a passion of mine ever since!

My studio is often the countryside. As a plain dressed Quaker I might be a spectacle to passersby. The cares of the world drop away as I study the scene, soaking in the elements of nature as I capture in oil paint some essence of God’s handiwork. My Quaker way of worship is contemplative, during which the congregation seeks together to hear God’s Word within. There seems to be a similar energy when I am immersed in my work, whether doing a quick likeness study of an individual, some still life setup, or taking in a landscape scene. Looking outward at the way light gives shape and color to a landscape, cityscape, or figure, enhances my own creative experience. Every nuance of color, shape, mood and shifting light through which the eye sees life, contributes to one’s work of art.

As an artist this background, along with a natural affinity to created life, infuses my work. I find it exhilarating to study the actual subjects of God’s handiwork. The experience of translating what I see into my painting gives a felt sense of connection to life in that moment of time. Through the years I have enjoyed honing my skill in festivals while drawing, in pencil, on-the-spot portraits. This experience has grown my signature style of Spontaneity and liveliness in my work. Gathering knowledge while acquiring a BFA at Kent State University helped me gain confidence to put my work out there in the public view.

In various years I have participated in events with other artists, hanging my impressionist style oil paintings in gallery shows. One year, while seeking fellow artists that would join me in my Plein Air (French for open air) painting, I started an email list. We meet on Mondays, weather permitting. This has encouraged us all to continue painting.

There have been many opportunities through the years to show and sell my work. Participating in the Ohio Plein Air Society, Youngstown YMCA art programs, plus having a space in the Youngstown Butler Fine Art Sales Gallery, the New Castle Hoyt Art Center Gift Shop, and the Lisbon Source Art Gallery have all helped grow my circle of connections.

If this were one of my artist friends we would most likely paint together. In nearby Beaver Creek State Park or Youngstown Mill Creek Metropark. Or we might visit the Butler Museum of American Art, especially if the area artists art show was still up. The YMCA may also have an area artist show in the Gaty. Or if weather wasn’t suitable for being outside we might set up a still life to paint in one of our homes or studio.

Skip Limbach & Joseph O’Sickey were outstanding painting instructors when I attended  Kent State University. Suzanne Gray at the Youngstown YMCA ([email protected]), Wayne Gruver at the Butler Museum of American Art and Mark Hamilton at the Source Gallery in Lisbon (sourcegallery.com) have each been extremely helpful in helping me promote my work in this area.