About

Nancy Parsons is an artist living and painting in Newport, Rhode Island. She prefers working with oils and soft pastels, but has experience in multiple mediums. Her favorite subject is polo. Nancy’s polo works range from the exciting – horse and rider racing down the field, to tranquil – casual banter between two team members. Another favorite subject of hers is what she calls “birds with attitude.” These are pastel paintings of birds with prickly personalities. Nancy accepts commissions as well. She is happy to work with you in creating a portrait, landscape, or recreating the works of the old masters.

Nancy studied at the Rhode Island School of Design, Colby-Sawyer College, the Jacksonville Museum of Art, and the Newport Museum of Art. Previously, while raising a family in Richmond, Virginia, she had a successful business in furniture painting and wall murals. Most recently Nancy was honored to have her Newport Polo #37 chosen to be included in the prestigious Newport Art Museum’s Annual Member’s Show.

Vincent Van Gogh once said “I put my heart and soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.” Although she has not lost her mind she does sometimes lose herself in her work, neglecting all else. How lucky to have such a pleasant escape mechanism!

You can find her work at the Kristen Coates Gallery in Newport and here on her website. All commission inquiries and requests can be sent to nlparsonsart@gmail.com.

Artist Statement

When people ask for my opinion on the purchase of a painting my response is always “do you find it pleasing to the eye?” Whether it’s a priceless Hopper or a picture hanging over your bed in a hotel, does it make you feel good to look at it? To me, that is what defines art...how does it make you feel?

Through my paintings I try to bring the viewer into the emotion of the scene; to capture the beauty of the bond between horse and rider or the inquisitive look in a bird’s eye. As In Newport Polo #37, the match is over, the riders are at ease. You wonder...did they win? Lose? What are they discussing? In Long Tailed Tit you get the feeling you’d better back up.

I paint to capture a moment in time that would otherwise be a fleeting memory. My desire is to reproduce the mood, movement, and beauty of each scene so that all observers will feel my work is interesting, inspiring, and “pleasing to the eye.”