We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nancy Junkin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nancy below.

Nancy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The love for color has always been a large part of who I am — recognizing its impact on mood and feelings. At a young age, I was busy re-arranging furniture, designing doll clothes, painting everything I could find — paper, furniture, walls — doodling, drawing and creating. Harmonious surroundings have always given me great satisfaction as I work diligently to beautify. From childhood to today, from decorating my youthful bedroom to re-imagining homes and furnishings as an adult, from grade school art class to painting in my studio, my passion to create art in many ways has always defined me.

Have you ever had a recurring dream that stirs your soul to the point of discontent? Art as a full time focus came later in life — after education, raising children and surviving various careers. I kept having a nightmare-ish dream where I wandered through my house only to find an unoccupied room that I didn’t know existed. After lamenting about it, my sister found a dream interpretation book and quickly located my dream…”you have an unrealized talent waiting to be discovered!” and the paintbrush and pallet came to life! What I had confused as a nightmare, awakened a latent passion that has brought me great joy!

My clients tell me that my work is thought provoking and emotional, and depending on the piece, stirs an array of emotions from excitement, happiness, contentment or calm. Hearing people say that my paintings evoke feelings means success to me. Making art is my way of expressing love for and appreciation of life. It is better than a dream.

Nancy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

At age of 46, when I was working part-time, I went back to school to work on my MFA. It was during those school years I began working with an interior designer. I loved working with the palettes, fabrics and designs that came my way. In addition I was taking evening art classes from Bert Seaborn, an internationally acclaimed artist residing in Oklahoma City.

It wasn’t long before I began painting regularly, using a spare bedroom in our house and selling my pieces through a local coop gallery. As I became more serious about my art career, we had a studio added onto the back of our home giving me a larger space in which to work and to store my increasing amount of supplies.

Then, much to my surprise and great pleasure, I was invited to show my paintings at The Howell Gallery, a premier art gallery in Oklahoma City. This representation was very encouraging then and our relationship continues today.

The biggest stumbling blocks for me in my art business has always been keeping a presence on social media and managing my website. I love my painting practice but resist writing about it and showing my work online. To solve this problem, I hired a social media specialist who handles these issues for me. Because I’m a little challenged by technology, I also found someone who provides assistance with my occasional newsletter production.

The onset of Covid gave me the opportunity to move into a larger studio space a short distance from our house. A hair salon quickly left a suite in a great location that just happened to be behind the Howell Gallery! Together with an artist friend, I moved into a suite decorated with large, shiny flowered wallpaper and a couple of shiny tiled walls! My sweet husband got out the paint and ladder and soon we had some solid colored walls on which to work and hang our art. The remaining wallpaper we have learned to “love”…

Typically I use acrylic paint–and focus on figurative and abstract work. Although my work can range in size, I particularly enjoy painting on large canvases. I would be described as a colorist and expressionist…as I use a lot of color and loosely created shapes. I welcome commissions with the understanding that I won’t be able to exactly duplicate an earlier painting.

I am most proud of the fact my clients say that my paintings evoke emotional responses…that they are “called” by one of my paintings. Because I work with energy and passion, I am grateful when my work resonates with a potential buyer.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

JOY! I love color, paint, design, my studio, my clients and the fact that my paintings have given pleasure to many. I believe art is personal and can make an ordinary wall, a space, etc, a spot with personality and warmth. Without words, much is communicated.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Yes to all the above. I have received some important time management advice. I collect art books, focussing on favorite artists and collections of their drawings if available. I go to museums locally and when I travel. I have taken several courses given by artists focussing on the business of a successful art practice. Currently I have a mentor that offers videos and other reference materials that are useful to me as well as helping me with specific problems as they arise.

Contact Info:

• Website: nancy junkin.com
• Instagram: nancyjunkinart
• Facebook: nancyedwardsjunkin