Artist: Nancy Norris & Brandon Johnson
Title: Fireworks and Fairs
Location: Madison and 26th Street
Statement:
The inspiration behind this proposal is Independence Day and the 4th of July festivities that go along with it. The featured activities, which includes fireworks and a fair, really highlight the holiday’s ability to bring people together to celebrate something that many have in common.
With this piece representing a large group of individuals, it was important to find a message that resonated with everyone. A lot of ideas were discussed, but the group decided on the Independence Day scene because most everyone had a story for how they have spent the holiday in the past. The group assumes that others in the community will also be taken back to a positive memory associated with the holiday.
There is a magic to fireworks that helps people of all ages go back to a simpler time in their lives. This piece will highlight beautiful colors and lights in the night sky. This could allow the viewer to momentarily go to a place that is magical even if just for a brief moment.
The fair scene symbolizes the coming together of different types of people to enjoy something at the same time. In a time where people can be so divided, it is important to highlight activities that still bring people from different walks of life together for fun.
Overall, the piece is meant to include different types of people enjoying some of the simpler things in life and allow the viewer to return to a simpler and more fun time even if for just a moment.
Nancy’s Bio:
My work in oil painting began in 1982. It was then, while still a student, I began to develop my passion and style. During the years that followed, I started teaching what I had learned as a student. I grew as a painter through those years of teaching.
My style and taste have changed over the years; however the subject matters I care most about have stayed the same. The phase I am currently experimenting with is taking family and vacation photos and creating a more interesting memory by portraying these in an impressionist style.
Impressionist painting requires patience and many layers of paint built up over time. “Characteristics of Impressionist paintings include visible brush strokes, open composition, emphasis on light in its changing qualities (often accentuating the effects of the passage of time), ordinary subject matter, the inclusion of movement as a crucial element of human perception and experience, and unusual visual angles.” (Source: Wikipedia)
In a world that becomes more complex by the day, I like to slow things down and focus on the simplicity and beauty of shadows and highlights in my paintings. When creating a new piece I work with color, texture, shapes and forms. While I may approach a canvas with a preconceived concept, usually the idea is short-lived as the painting takes on a life of its own. This process is intensely freeing and joyous while at the same time unnerving. Frustrating areas can with patience become alive in the final composition. In this way, painting helps me trust and let go of controlling things, therefore rolling with the process of life.
Brandon’s Bio:
I met Nancy back in 2017 when I started working at the Horizon Convention Center, Nancy would hold painting classes at HCC, and it really sparked a passion for painting in myself, and several other coworkers. In the past few years, we have seen these cool traffic light boxes around town and wanted to paint one so badly. This year we called Nancy up and asked her to partner with some non-artist but passionate painters, from the Horizon Convention Center and she was very excited to accept, and we’re very excited to have Nancy leading the way on this Box Box project.
