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Flights of Education

Nance McManus - Artist in Residence

“It’s been years since I moved back home to New Mexico from living almost 10 years in Europe. I still hear the voices of not only the living artists but also the historical masters of art that I studied with in England, France, and, especially, Italy.

The biggest change for me was winning a scholarship from the Scottsdale Artist’s School to work with Howard Post .I ended up rushing headlong into a passion with  pastels. The freedom I have whilst working in pastels keeps me enthusiastic about painting all the time. I am happy working in my studio in the Manzano Mountains or plein air painting anywhere I can drag my easel.

In recent years I have taken courses with master pastelist Doug Dawson, landscape artist William Hook, equine artist Sam Savitt, and fundamental anatomy for sculpture with retired orthopedic surgeon Dr. Wilfred Stedman.  My gestural nudes are included on Ruth Block's "Painting the Figure in Watercolor" videos. Leo Neufeld has continued to keep me focused on the gestural quality of any painting. And my good friend Bill Herring helps me keep my aesthetic river within its creative banks.

I hope to continue my work in pastel painting as well as teaching a few courses in the future on pastel materials as well as composition. Color and composition keep me studying more and developing better paintings. I remember back in university wandering around trying to “find” something to paint. Now there are just not enough hours in the day to paint it all.”

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