“My goal in painting is to put down what I see, feel, and experience in a person, place, or object. Ideally, the painting will hold grace, strength, and truth. It is my joy—my passion to paint.”
Statement
At an early age, I began drawing. My grandfather was an artist who entertained my sisters and me by drawing anything we asked him to draw in his black sketchbook. It was fascinating to watch people and objects take form on paper. Quite quickly, I discovered I could draw, maybe not quite like my grandfather, but well enough to enjoy it and keep at it.
When I was ten years old, my grandfather taught me how to paint with oils. I loved how paint moved on paper with a brush. From the beginning sketch to the final finessing of paint with a sable brush was exciting and satisfying.
Literally moving forward, which included New York, Chicago, and back to California, I took countless classes and immersed myself in museums in these cities. I have taken classes with prominent artists: Jennifer McChristian, Carol Marine, Qiang Huang, and Weekend with the Masters three times. If I only learned how to make a black I use almost daily, these classes were a win. Fortunately, I learned a great deal more. I traveled extensively, and went to museums in Europe and across the United States.
Today, I have a studio in Little Italy. I teach three or four times a year at Art on 30th. People appear to believe I can make the painting they want, so I am commissioned frequently to paint portraits or places people want to remember. I am honestly touched that families have a bit of a tug-of-war over who will inherit the painting. Hopefully, later, rather than, sooner.
Bottom line, painting is my passion. I am incredibly blessed to be a contemporary realist artist and share my work and joy of painting with others.
Biography
Nancy Plank is a California artist specializing in realistic oil paintings of florals, landscapes, portraits, and still life. Her paintings expose the beauty and elegance of her chosen subject with color palettes reminiscent of the old masters. “My eye locks into what I find beautiful, balanced, and emotive and I work until I’ve captured that in paint.”
Nancy’s education included studies at The American Academy of Art in Chicago, The Brooklyn Museum of Art, and the National Academy of Design School and Fine Arts in New York. In California, she studied at Watt’s Atelier, La Jolla Athenaeum, and the Workshop of the Masters. Some notable artists she has taken classes with include Richard Schmid, David Leffel, Sherrie McGraw, Qiang Huang, and Carol Marine. In addition to her formal art training, Nancy continues to deepen her knowledge and sensibility for her craft by her many visits to museums in England, France, Italy, and throughout the United States.
Recently juried into the International Guild of Realism’s Spring Exhibition, Nancy has participated in many local, regional, and international shows. In addition, her paintings have been featured in several interior design and fine art magazines.
Currently, Nancy Plank lives and paints in San Diego, California, where she has her studio. Her work can be purchased through her website and she is also available for commissioned paintings.
CV
Upcoming and Current Events
2024 Apr 1-Jun 30 The Power of Flowers, Coronado Library, CA
2024 Apr 20 & 21st Coronado Flower Show, Coronado, CA
2024 10th Anniversary of The Studio Door, Hillcrest, CA
Solo Exhibitions
2022 Dec 2-30, Landscapes, Chase Bank, Coronado, CA
2022 Oct 29 & 30, California Coastal Rose Society, El Corazon Oceanside Senior Center, Oceanside, CA
2022 Chase Bank, Coronado, CA
2019-22 Le Macron, Del Mar, CA
2017-22 La Jolla Sports Club, La Jolla, CA
2017 HYPE, San Diego, CA
Group Exhibition
2017 Muramid Art & Cultural Center, Oceanside, CA
2017 4Up Show, San Diego, CA
2016 Open Studios San Diego, San Diego, CA
2016 50 to Watch, The Studio Door, San Diego, CA, Jurors: Christine Knoke (Director of Exhibitions and Chief Curator / Mingei International Museum) and Jenna S. Jacobs (Curatorial Manager,
Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego)
2015 Holiday Art Market, San Diego, CA
2015 The Empyrean Artifacts, Palm Desert, CA
2015 Open Studios San Diego, San Diego, CA
2015 50 to Watch, The Studio Door, San Diego, CA
2012-15 San Diego Art Department, San Diego, CA
2013 San Diego Art Institute, Museum of the Living Artist, San Diego, CA
2009-11 Athenaeum, La Jolla, CA
Publications
2016 50 to Watch, The Studio Door, National Publication
2015 50 to Watch, The Studio Door, National Publication
2013 Ray Street Artists Catalog, San Diego Art Department
Education
2017 6th Annual Plein Air Convention, San Diego, CA
2015 Watt's Atelier, oil painting with Meadow Gist and Ben Young, Encinitas, CA
2012 Weekend with the Masters, oil painting with Sherrie McGraw, Quang Ho, Rose Frantzen, Carolyn Anderson, Daniel E. Greene, and Daniel Gerhartz, Rancho Bernardo, CA
2011 Weekend with the Masters, oil painting with Richard Schmid, David Leffel, Sherrie McGraw, Rose Frantzen, Sacramento, CA
2011-12 Qiang Huang Workshops, oil painting with Meadow Gist and Ben Young, Laguna Niguel, CA
2011 Carol Marine Workshop, San Luis Obispo, CA
95-2011 Athenaeum, La Jolla, CA, oil portraits with Ken Goldman, Stephanie Goldman, Alida Cervantes, oil still life, landscape, and color theory with Pat Kelly
1983 National Academy of Design School of Fine Arts, watercolor with Reeve Schley
1981 American Academy of Art, watercolor with Irving Shapiro
1980 The Brooklyn Museum Art School, fashion illustration with Ruth Rosenthal