SAC's Gallery - Society of Arts & Crafts

Nancy does photo notecards, decorative gourds, and carved cypress knees.

Artist’s Statement

My appreciation and definition of beauty comes from my Mother. Growing up we spent hours camping and hiking on hills and mountains where I learned a deep appreciation of natural beauty. I choose many different mediums to express myself from wood carving to photography. I carve my Santas from Cypress Knees that I have gathered in the swamps of South Alabama. When I carve their faces they develop an individual personality. By the time I finish carving them often they have a name. My interest in German paper cutting came from my Grandmother. She was born in the area of Moravia Bohemia in Austria. This painstaking activity involves cutting intricate shapes using scissors and an Exacto knife. I have created an array of designs from hearts to dragons using this method. A firm believer in recycling and the adage “Waste not, want not.” Old silverware, pot lids, and silver trays are favorite materials and make wonderful and regal birdfeeder and candle holders. Nature also provides exceptional materials and I have found the wide variety of shapes and sizes of gourds, which I grow myself, to be especially inspiring. My gourds become whimsical birdhouses in bright colors with interesting patterns and awnings. They also become baskets and containers embellished with fine touches such as velvet and beads. I particularly enjoy carving natural motifs on these, such as oak leaves and acorns. Finally, photography has always intrigued me. I still use a 35 mm Cannon and take a wide variety of photos of anything that inspires me — and as you can tell, I’m inspired by many things.

Biography

Nancy Conklin was born in Kingston, N.Y. As a small child her family moved to Huntsville where she spent her childhood. Her childhood home was on a mountain where she played in the woods, on vines, and in caves. She always enjoyed making things. Some of her early “fine” works were mud cakes and pies embellished with flower. She attended Calhoun Community College where she obtained a degree in Cabinet Making. She now resides in La Pine and Troy, Alabama, where she devotes all of her spare time to her art work.

NANCY CONKLIN

Artist