March 16, 2023 Submitted by the Hingham Public Library
Nancy Sargent Howell’s exhibit “Reality and Beyond” will be on display in the Hingham Library’s Dolphin Gallery from April 8 – May 4. The show features both acrylic and watercolor paintings.
The public is invited to join the artist for an opening reception on Thursday, April 13 from 5:30 to 7:30. The show is sponsored by the North River Arts Society.
About her work Howell says “When I started painting in the late 70’s I was told to find my style and stick to it. Although I think very abstractly, I started painting very realistically – the way I was taught. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that I wanted to try different approaches to my subjects. As I evolved as both a woman and an artist I began to express where my heart said to go. I started “prisming” my paintings – breaking up existing shapes and putting them back together into a unified space. Then I broke them up and put them together in a different shape, opening the door to abstraction even further.
I learned that I like to paint realistic objects in an abstract manner and have recently been weaving realistic scenes through abstract shapes. It feels as if I’m weaving my new self through my old self. Although I still paint realistically when on location, I think of it as gathering information for new ways of making a personal statement. Every day is different and by being flexible I can be authentic.”
Howell adds “I have been fortunate to be able to teach in numerous parts of the USA as well as several European countries. I am about to take my 40th trip to Italy where I stay in the country home of an old friend in the Alban Hills outside of Rome. I wondered why I was drawn to several views when I first got there and later learned that John Singer Sargent often painted in that area. It’s fun to think that he was guiding me to some of his favorite painting spots.”
To learn more visit her website at www.nancyhowellstudio.com