We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nancy Gunther a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nancy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

From the age of six, I dreamed of becoming a fashion designer. I spent countless hours sketching designs and creating clothes for my dolls with the help of my grandmother, mother, and aunt, who taught me valuable sewing skills. In Junior High, I discovered my love for drawing and painting, which further fueled my passion for creating. In High School, I revisited sewing and excelled, earning top awards and a scholarship to Brooks College for fashion. Landing a job at Catalina and Cole of California Swimwear was a dream come true, allowing me to pursue my passion for design. While raising my children, I transitioned to working from home, focusing on designing and painting tiles for clients, which eventually led me to explore oil, mixed media, and now acrylic painting. Each creative endeavor has woven together elements of design and themes, culminating in the beach-inspired paintings I create today.

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?

I am a visual artist known for pushing the boundaries of traditional landscape and figurative painting. Drawing inspiration from the shores of Southern California, I capture the beauty, fun, and peaceful moments of life that bring rest to our soul. I create my unique style of art by using acrylic paint, exclusively on wood panels, and occasionally adding a touch of vintage papers or texture to draw you in for a closer look. I continuously strive to elevate my art by taking classes and experimenting with a wide range of tools. This approach helps me avoid relying solely on brushes, pushing me to maintain a loose style and avoid getting bogged down in intricate details. It is a joy and privilege for me to spend time in my studio doing what I love, creating soothing beach inspired paintings to help you unwind from the stresses of life.

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

The most rewarding aspects is being part of the creative community, connecting with fellow artists, sharing experiences and techniques to support each other to grow. It is about pushing boundaries, pursuing dream opportunities, collaborating with mentors and mentees, doing what you love for a lifetime. Age is just a number when it comes to learning and sharing your talents. In addition, the humbling joy is when someone appreciates your work and gives it a special place in their home or workplace, prompting a happy dance of gratitude.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience is about taking risks and pursuing opportunities in the art world, such as entering prestigious exhibits like the “Festival of Arts” in Laguna Beach, CA. Despite not being selected for the 2024 festival, it was an honor to be selected in the final round. I remained determined and focused on learning from the experience. It is important to regroup, continue painting, and stay true to your passion for art. I must say it was a boost to my confidence to make it to the final round and yes I will try again.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nancygunther.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artist_nancy_gunther/?hl=en
• Other: Collectors can find my work at: Studio 7 Gallery, Laguna Beach San Clemente Art Association Art Studio showing, by appointment