Art & Life with Nancy Herbst

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Herbst.

Nancy, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I felt a calling to art in high school and went on to study at The Montserrat School of Art in Beverly, Massachusetts. Since then, I have continued taking classes and workshops on a regular basis with artists I admire. I decided to focus on watercolor after taking classes with Mr. Kaji Aso at his studio in Boston and falling in love with the medium and its fluid nature, as well as the way a finished watercolor seems to glow with light, due to the transparency of the pigments. Watercolor is a very challenging medium at first, and even if I were to paint every day of my life, I would continue to learn.

Painting on different surfaces is another way I like to challenge myself, and can be a lot of fun. I’ve become very fond of painting on Yupo brand paper, made of slick polypropylene. I have not taken any classes, nor read any books on using this paper, and have made up a lot of the techniques that I employ. I am sure they are not unique, but I know what works for me. I continue to learn things that don’t, as well!

I also do some painting in oils and acrylics, but my main medium is watercolor.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My paintings just seem to come from somewhere that isn’t conscious. I usually paint in a series, while trying to work out whatever it is that has become a passion. My inspiration is fueled by so many things: external beauty, internal or external conflict, color and color theory, dreams, feelings, people – watching, artwork by other artists, new materials and supplies, a desire to get in the creative zone for any reason, a desire to play, a desire to work, sometimes for others; always for myself.

I hope that viewers find my creations to be lovely and/or interesting, and sometimes thought-provoking and/or mysterious. I would like to hear someone say “Wow.”

Mainly, I try to make paintings that I feel OK about!

Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities, and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
I wish that I could provide some really good advice, something that artists don’t hear all the time, but I can’t. I guess it all comes down to each artist needing to know themselves and their particular needs. If an artist is young, he or she has a lot to decide. There are so many ways to get the word out about your art and sell enough to make a living. Even so, one needs to consider whether they will need to supplement their art with a part or full-time job. I personally chose a career in printed circuit board design, which provided me with flexible hours, and I painted and sketched whenever I got the chance. That is how I began. That is what worked for me.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I have a website at www.nancyherbst.com (which I am currently re-doing), and I welcome visitors to my home studio in Tempe, AZ, if they contact me through a link there.

One of my pieces will be included in the book “Splash 20”, which will come out this summer, and another piece will be in the Western Federation Of Watercolor Societies (WFWS) show, which runs from May 1 – May 31st, 2019, at the San Diego Watercolor Society Gallery (SDWS), 2825 Dewey Road, Studio 105, San Diego, CA 92106 (Point Loma area). Their phone number is (619) 876-4550. The Western Federation shows are always worthwhile, and I am honored to be included in this show.

I have a small number of paintings and giclee prints at “Inner Vision Yoga” studio here in Tempe, too.

Contact Info:

• Address: Nancy L. Herbst
  2115 East Vaughn St.
  Tempe, AZ 85283
• Website: www.nancyherbst.com
• Phone: (480) 839-8827
• Email: nancy@nancyherbst.com

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