Windows to feature Nancy Collins' watercolors
Artist Nancy Collins tells us, “It's time to take a walk on the wild side.” That is the title she has chosen for her joyful and colorful collection of expertly rendered watercolor animal portraits, which will be featured in both front windows of the Corner Gallery for the month of July.
Nancy explains, “My main focus is about color, but not realistic color. I want to delight and excite the eyes with unusual color combinations. It brings great joy to me to make people laugh, hence my subject matter is animals.”
And Nancy doesn't limit herself to ordinary household pets… she focuses instead on an odd and intriguing zoo of critters such as turtles, pigs, ostriches and even an octopus.
If that isn't enough inspiration to entice people to come see this show, Nancy promises a “surprise guest” at the opening, who will “melt your heart and bring joy to everyone.”
Not even show organizers have a clue who this character will be.
Nancy Collins has spent more than 40 years making art. She oozes creativity from every pore. She's executed everything from sculpture to print making, but her true art soul mate is watercolor. Nancy says, “It's the little things about color that seize my attention and captivate me.” She delights in light and shadow pirouetting across fabrics, crystal, laces and flowers.
Nancy's use of robust, vibrant colors often leads to the question, “Is this watercolor?” “The answer is `yes',” she says. “It's transparent, staining color.” Under Nancy's control the colors take on an alluring luminosity. Her strong contrast is essential to the unforgettable look of her paintings. Nancy often paints with warm colors in the center of her subject and cool colors on the perimeters, giving the illusion of glow. Nancy says it succinctly, “It's as if I turn on the heart light of my subjects.”
Nancy's work has been exhibited extensively. She has been featured in shows for Art in the Embassy, Mendocino International Music Festival, Mendocino Art Center, Stanford University, Fioli Gardens, Scharffenberger Cellars, Little River Inn and many more.
Her work and writing have been published in American Artist Magazine, Watercolor Magic, Mendocino Arts Magazine, How Did You Paint That, Volume 6 and others. Her work is included in Splash 17, “The Ring Bearers”.
The First Friday opening celebration of Nancy's delightful show will be tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Corner Gallery, 201 S. State St. Live music will be provided by Pierre Archain.