About Nancy Groves

I have been drawing and painting since I was a child so it is natural for me to start almost any project with a sketch on paper. Next I will do a preliminary layout of shapes, sizes and textures. Slowly the piece starts to evolve and change from the sketch. Sometimes I run into unexpected accidents and surprises that lead me to new discoveries. Held captive in the process of my work I lose track of time and worries of the outside world. The anticipated results are always a continuation of the learning process. After finishing a piece I always have a feeling of accomplishment. The piece is a reflection of my thoughts, feelings and efforts into the process of creating. I’m trying to slow down in a world that’s rushing by me.

Over the past few years I have been working in collage. Collage helps me to process things around me. I like the freedom it offers and the use of mixed media such as paper, paint, fabric, etc. I feel like I’m breaking all the rules and getting away with it. It conveys to all my senses and there are no limitations. I like the way the layers build upon each other in a tug of war for my attention. It’s a layering of thoughts and ideas to express an experience.

Recently I have been experimenting in precious metal clay. My goal is to continue in the collage theme by combining glass, metal, beads, and other materials to create unique and original jewelry. With a background in ceramics, PMC seems like a natural step and a new artistic journey.

Creativity to me is giving others a glimpse of who I am, where I’ve been, and where I’m going. Looking around and seeing how much the world has changed makes me want to somehow try to hold on to the past. I think I try to do this with art; preserving a moment in time for others to view before it’s lost forever. Art to me is an extension of myself, a mood, a feeling, or an experience conveyed by my work.