Nancy Jo Graham, M.A.
Welcome! I am a practicing artist and a teacher with a Master's degree in drawing & painting. Here is a sampling of the art which I create. It is my hope that this work will move you, inspire you or communicate with you in some positive way. The pieces you will see here are part of a series which is currently in process. This series has been inspired by my love of nature and my work as a floral designer. I hope you enjoy. Keep checking back for new work.
Sorry everyone...I have been focused on other things lately and have not been able to complete much in the way of new work. Don't give up on me! I'm being creative in other ways, but I will get back to drawing now that winter is approaching.
Sorry everyone...I have been focused on other things lately and have not been able to complete much in the way of new work. Don't give up on me! I'm being creative in other ways, but I will get back to drawing now that winter is approaching.
My philosophy
Vase & Spiral
Most of my current work is in color pencil. I have been working in this medium for over 25 years, though recently I have started to add gouache ("gwash"), which is an opaque watercolor. Here is one of my most recently finished pieces in color pencil and gouache. It is done on paper and measures 30" X 20". Closer
Here is a close-up view of part of this drawing. In it you can see where I have added the gouche, which shows up as a deeper, more saturated color. The flowers in this vase were inspired by roses, heliotrope and pepperberry, with a few imagined things thrown in. Closer still
Here is an even closer view.Many people have said that my work does not look like colored pencil, but rather watercolor or soft pastels. This is because I like to use paper with very little tooth, in other words: extremely smooth. In fact, quite often I will use paper intended for printmaking. I prefer pencils with a harder lead that sharpens to a fine point. I fill in the color meticulously in several layers and then rub it in with my fingers or a blending tool. All of this leads to a finished drawing which doesn't always show the actual mark of the pencil.
More detail
Here is a close up of the spiral on the left side of the piece. It is made up of flowers: stylized tulips, calla lilies, peonies, roses and berries. What I Love About Drawing
I love to draw. It is the immediacy of it that I treasure so much. When I am working, my fingers are so close to the tools which are making the mark on the paper that I feel completely immersed. Wouldn't you love to be drawn into and consumed like this by something you are creating?We all have our own talents that can be expressed and shared with others. I feel we are happier if we are able to do work which encourages us to use our own unique skills, whatever they may be.
This shows a portion of another drawing in progress.
Oil Pastel
My work now is subtle in its color and line, but I have also been more bold, at times. Here is an oil pastel from a few years ago. Seems my mood has changed since then! Teaching Experience
These are some of the places where I have had the pleasure of teaching art.
- Chester College of New England, New Hampshire
- This privately-funded visual and language arts school offers Bachelor's degrees in Creative Writing, Professional Writing, Graphic Design, Photography and Media Arts, Fine Art, and Interdisciplinary Arts and has recently been approved to offer a Master's degree in Socially Responsible Media. Chester College is a small, close-knit community with a low student to teacher ratio, making it a great place to explore and learn as well as teach. My focus here has been on teaching drawing classes, including figure studies.
- Maude Kerns Art Center, Oregon
- A community art facility, Maude Kerns Art Center was created many years ago by a group of practicing artists. Today the center offers classes for adults and children, studio space for artists and a gallery which presents exhibits of the work of regional and national artists. It was my pleasure to help create a summer art program for young people at the center and to teach classes, including one very special class on animal drawing and painting, featuring live animals visits.
- Community Education Program, Eugene, Oregon
- In one of the most art-friendly and community-oriented cities in the US, I had a great time teaching various art classes in the children's community recreation program.
- Masonic Pathways, Michigan
- At this large, well-funded and caring retirement facility, I had the pleasure of working with seniors in the occupational therapy program where I offered classes in ceramics, weaving, drawing and painting and writing.
- Central Michigan University
- At this large, state-affiliated university I taught Introductory Art and Introductory Drawing. I am so proud to know that my paternal grandfather graduated from this school with a degree in education and ended up teaching in a one-room school house in northern Michigan.
Some Things That Inspire Me
- My Favorite Inspirations
- Here is a link to another page highlighting some of the things I have found to be inspirational.
Newest Work
Here is my newest drawing in the flower series. This drawing was done on Stonehenge paper in a variety of colored pencils including Derwent Studio and Signature pencils and Prismacolor Verithin. It is already promised to someone! Having Fun
Here is an image where I am having fun manipulating one of my drawings. Recent Influences
The most recent pieces I've completed have been heavily influenced by my work as a floral designer. In floral design, flowers and plant materials which would not normally be seen next to each other in nature are able to be combined and manuevered to enhance and draw attention to their individual qualities. The close juxtapositon of so many different colors, textures and shapes of flowers never fails to fascinate me. My Floral Art
Floral Art: Flowers & Vegetables
Floral Design
Click these links to learn more about my work in floral design.
- Wedding Flowers
- An experienced wedding flower consultant, I offer 'insider' suggestions for choosing your flowers and working with a professional florist. Ordering wedding flowers is not something one does frequently and even a little bit of knowledge and prep work can make the experience so much more successful an
- A Floral Design Career
- For many years I worked in a flower shop where our customers were able to walk through the design room as we were working. It was exciting for them to see what we were doing and we frequently heard comments like, 'That must be so much fun.' 'You are so lucky to be doing this work.' 'It must be so re
- Expert Tips For Ordering Flowers
- Are you getting ready to order some flowers? Over 10 years of experience as a high-end floral designer has helped me to put these suggestions together for you. Read on for some tips to make sure you receive high-quality, beautiful flowers every time you order.The arrangement shown here was designed
- Everything Flowery
- I am always looking for unique and interesting flower-themed items. As a floral designer, you might think I would tire of it, but when I travel I am always checking out other flower shops for ideas. If I am in a large city--Montreal is one of my favorites--I visit the fancy hotels to see the flower
More About My Art Work
- Nancy Graham, Artist
- Click here to link to another brief web page about my art work.
- Auction Donation Piece
- Click here for a look at a piece of furniture I was invited to paint for a benefit auction for the Caregivers of Manchester and Nashua, New Hampshire.
- Online Gallery
- Here you will find some of drawings as well as floral arrangements.
Painted Door with Shell Fragments & Dried Rose Stems
A Flickr Slide Show of My Portfolio
Just wait for the photos to load and they will change on their own every few seconds. Thanks for looking!
Which is Your Favorite?
By voting here you can let me know which one of my pieces is your favorite. Click on each photo for a larger view. I'll be adding more soon! To purchase, click on "Contact Me" under "My Bio" above.
Guestbook
Please sign my guestbook. Thanks for visiting!
selfdefenseclique wrote...
your artwork is really colorful and yet so calming, I really enjoyed seeing your artwork on the different sites and it was so easy to do this through your site, this is a pleasurable and easy way to get to know an artist's work.
Posted June 29, 2009
Lensmaster
Aliya wrote
Dear Ms. Graham,
I was very impressed by your photograph "Blue Bouquet" on Flickr!
Posted April 28, 2008
Clutterbugs wrote...
I seriously can't believe your drawings are colored pencil - they are so fantastic! I really wish that I could draw like that!! ***** for sharing your love of art with us. And thanks for stopping by Organizing a Room! :)
Posted October 10, 2007
by njg
Though I am still a Northwesterner at heart (I lived in Oregon for 20 years), I now make my home in beautiful, historic, semi-rural New England. Not f... (more)
