November 15, 2023, Artist of the Month

Nanci Sheppard


San Xavier Plein Air


12" x 16"

​I am mainly a self taught artist. I started drawing at age 4 as a way to escape chaos at a home with 5 girls. I took art in high school and college but got sick after my freshman year and was hospitalized all of September. I had to drop the next term. Married the next February and the next year had a son. I oil painted when I could. Divorced after 6 yearsI found I took classes with adult education, classes at Art Center School of Design and also workshops. I have taken workshops with TPS, Tubac School of Fine Art, Center for Performing Art Center in Green Valley and workshops offered by Santa Rita Art League. I have won several blue ribbons at art shows and Artists Choice awards. I found pastel about 10 years ago and it is my medium of choice. I've tried about every medium but I like pastel the most as it is immediate and has a special luminous quality.