Nanci France-Vaz was born in Brooklyn, NY. She graduated from the School of Visual Arts with a BFA in 3d Computer Animation for Film and Special Effects, and studied figure and portrait at SVA with John Frederick Murray, New York Academy and Grand Central Academy with Dan Thompson and Michael Grimaldi.
Her inspiration and influences are the Pre-Raphaelite, and Naturalist periods of art, poetry, literature, and symbolism. Nanci combines her strong foundation in life painting with imaginative backgrounds fusing classical with contemporary realism. Having studied Stanislavski Method Acting allows for a spiritual connection to her subjects expressing emotion and mood. Her study of lighting and movement, through acting, dance, and theater is the catalyst for creating a still image from a cinematic process. As a visual artist, she is the director of her film that tells the story.
Nanci is an allegorical realist working primarily in figure and portrait. Her current series Bohemian Spirits and Mysticism combines the ethereal with hope, the mystical, spiritual beliefs, and the human condition. Most of her models are professional musicians, artists, actors, and dancers as the artist and their life is weaved into the narrative. The paintings in this series have patterns in the background and become part of the subject serving as a guise for many meanings. The spiritual, the mystical, and the juxtaposition of abstract to realistic have underlying tones and meanings left for the beholder to ponder and engage psychologically. Nanci’s “patterns of life” express an experience and moment of thought in time. Her use of gold leaf, copper leaf and various other metal materials are deliberate and can be decorative or abstract.
Nanci’s many awards include the Joseph Hartley Memorial Award 1st place oil painting Salmagundi, Len G. Everett Memorial Award, International ARC Salon, Colonel George J. Morales Award, the John Collins Memorial Award, and 3rd place Portrait Society of America Members Showcase Exhibition.
Her recent group shows include Principle Gallery, 15th Annual International Guild of Realism Exhibit, Abend Gallery Miniature Exhibit, 5x5 Project, Duets and the Enigma Group Exhibit, Lovett’s Gallery, Women Painting Women, Principle Gallery, OPA National and Eastern Regional Eisele Gallery, Allied Artists of America Annual Exhibit, PSOA
Nanci has had 3 solo exhibits, one recently at Swains Gallery 2018. In 2014. Her painting of Lloyd “Mr Personality”Price was accepted into the permanent collection of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. Her commissioned paintings hang in many private collections.
* This statement has been provided directly by the artist in association to their 15th International ARC Salon entries. This content has not been edited for typos or grammatical errors and has not been vetted for accuracy.
