Member Gallery: Nancy Barry-Jansson

Artist's Statement

Born and raised in western upstate New York, near the shores of Lake Ontario, Nancy has been an artist since she was old enough to grasp a pencil. But it wasn't until high school that she found an art teacher willing to challenge her to grow artistically. From this teacher, she learned the basics of drawing, bone structure and anatomy, and color theory. Sparked by all she had yet to learn, Nancy chose to attend her art teacher's alma mater: the University of Utah, in Salt Lake City. It was an interesting experience for someone who didn't ski, isn't Mormon, and had never been west of Niagara Falls!

During college, Nancy thrived while exploring all mediums and had the chance to learn about arts administration (running and promoting galleries or museums). She was afforded unique internships at the Kimball Art Center, Park City, Utah, and galleries in Salt Lake City. After earning her Bachelors of Fine Art in Painting and Drawing, with a minor in Arts Administration, Nancy moved from Utah to the San Jose area.

Nancy has been working as a commercial artist since 1991, and has been self-employed since 1994, creating and illustrating presentations for high-tech companies. For the past three years, Nancy has added web-cast presentations (for live broadcasts on the web) to her list of services. Click here to visit her business site.

When not working commercially, Nancy prefers watermedia, painting with watercolors and acrylics, and enjoys drawing on paper. Nancy volunteered as the webmaster for the Santa Clara Watercolor Society from April 2000 until May 2004. In 2001, she formed Artists for Open Space, an organization of Bay Area artists who donate 20% of their nature-inspired creations to organizations that acquire, maintain, and promote open space.

To contact, Nancy, email her at nbj@artistsforopenspace.com.