Parrot: 11 x 14 oil

Upcoming Workshops 

Gaining Mastery in Pastel: Tucson Pastel Society  - 11/13 through 11/15  2024

Naples Art Institute 2/12/2025 -through 2/14/25

Visit the Workshops Listing Link for more information

Testimonial:  What I really like about Nancy is that she paints life, as it happens, wherever it happens, be that Main Street, dockside, backyard, fishing pier, open space, sunny hillside, back alley, woodsy outcroppings or even a rundown house. Life happens in all those places and Nancy captures it with sensitivity, color depth, and respect for the subject. She imparts a sense of joy in the scene. She does this with the same underlying emphasis on value, shape, harmony, and composition, no matter what the subject is. You should see her paintings of donkeys, a shopper on a NY street, a family on a beach huddled under an umbrella, laundry hanging on a line, a shrimp boat...it just does not matter to her.  Join Nancy so you, too, can enhance your artistic skill in portraying the scenes of life that speak to you. - K. D. Pastel Society of Tampa Bay

Testimonial: "Nancy Nowak’s three-day workshop exceeded all expectations. First of all, her preparation was apparent—chock full of handouts and visual aids. Each day was developed to build on what we had learned the day before. The pace was perfect. The content was comprehensive. Nancy's demonstrations were filled with explanations of not only what she was doing but why. She spent plenty of one on one time with each student. There were students with a variety of experiences with pastels and she encouraged each person making everyone feel comfortable. And, her energy, enthusiasm, dynamic personality and sense of humor just added to what became an amazing learning experience. I have grown both as an instructor and an artist.” -Lorraine P. Pastel Society of Tampa Bay

Testimonial:  I took Nancy Nowak’s workshop Buildings, Boats and Folks. Here are important reasons why it was such a positive experience for me. Nancy was calm but lively in her painting demonstrations. She patiently answered questions, clarifying key parts of the process for me. One example of this: In preparing the underpainting, use a light touch in laying down the pastel. You are not trying to get opacity with your alcohol wash. Nancy generously gave us individual time in choosing our photo references for each painting, thoughtfully observing and giving reasons for what she advised. She encouraged me to use my favorite boat photo reference that I had been afraid to paint because I thought I was not a good enough painter to do it justice. Nancy acknowledged the challenge, recommended I begin the drawing upside down. It worked! I am pleased with the result. This was a breakthrough moment for me. I have increased my confidence in what I can do. I learned skills that I could take away and implement on my own. Example: I now look at my work with an eye to break up any hard lines in order to achieve a more painterly result. I am continuing to practice this. Thank you, Nancy! - Robin C. PSTB