We recently connected with Nancy Gruskin and have shared our conversation below.

Nancy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I don’t have an M.F.A. I studied studio art as well as art history in college. My training as an art historian honed my ability to look, see, and describe. I think artists have certain innate abilities, but making good work comes only from making A LOT of work. No class or degree can substitute for hours and hours of practice.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve drawn, painted, and made things for as long as I can remember. After graduating Connecticut College with a degree in art history and studio art, I decided to go to graduate school for art history. I earned a doctorate from Boston University and taught architectural history for a number of years. I then took another detour and practiced law, before eventually coming full circle and returning to my first true passion: the fine arts. I have no regrets about the circuitous path, but I feel very lucky and appreciative to now be able to devote my time to painting and collage and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I also teach adults through various arts organizations. My classes draw on my art history background, introducing students to the work and methods of other artists, and I encourage participants to experiment with different media, subject matter, and processes. My classes both reflect and affect what I’m doing in my own studio practice.

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

There are so many things in life I can’t control, but I get to choose what goes on in my studio, what I want to explore visually, and what work I want to share with others. I find that very empowering and when my work or my teaching connects with someone else, it’s incredibly rewarding.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I think about short-term goals such as exhibitions, publications, and residencies, but my overall mission is to make good work and to challenge myself with new processes and ideas.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nancygruskin.com
• Instagram: @nancygruskin