Meadow Wood Studio & Gallery

“Painting, like dancing, requires rhythm and timing.” 

Thomas began studying art in the 1970’s at the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, VA and the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC. She also studied Middle Eastern Dance which developed into a twenty six year career. For a time most of her energy was consumed by her career in dance, which afforded extensive travel throughout Europe, Canada, the Middle East, Thailand and Greece. The disciplines of painting and dancing overlapped in the early 1980’s.

While performing in Washington, DC, Thomas chanced to meet two artists, Alan Gramley, a local painter and Robert Chapman, a personal assistant to Willem De Kooning. Thomas started painting diligently with Gramley, who taught her to paint in the style of the old masters, using transparent glazes in oil. She also had the privilege of meeting and visiting the studios of both Elaine De Kooning and Willem De Kooning, a thrill never to be forgotten. 

From this point forward art became a focal point. While performing nights, Thomas attended school by day earning an Associates Degree in Fine Art, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1990 from Northern Virginia Community College. While in School, a “Project Study Tour” of Italy, prompted Thomas to take up Watercolor as a primary medium, which she used exclusively for fifteen years.

Thomas moved to the Eastern Shore in 1994 after marrying a native of Kent Island. She soon grew to love the wide open skies and ever changing colors of the fields and waterways. Nancy retired from dance in 2001 and has since concentrated solely on the Visual Arts. She continues to paint full time in her home studio, Meadow Wood and En Plein Air in many local venues. In 2018 she was juried into Plein Air Easton, the most prestigious plein air event in the country. 

Thomas is a juried member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society and The Working Artists Forum of Easton, President 2006-2009. Thomas became a Partner in the Artists’ Gallery in 2010.  She is an associate member of Oil Painters of America. Her work reflects her love of dance, travel and local scenery. 

Recent awards include in 2021: 

Best in Show in Chestertown, Paint the Town Quick Draw.

1st Place in Paint Stevensville.

2nd Place in Ocean City Plein Air Quick Paint.

Web: www.nancyrthomas.com

Face book: Nancy R. Thomas, Fine Art. 

Email: nancythomasart@gmail.com