Nancy Fortunato
Originals

When I begin a painting I approach it as a sort of challenge. I strive to edit out all of the unessential, leaving the paper sparse and uncluttered while guiding the eye via the use of negative space. I try not to encumber the work with too much detail, but use elements of good design. Every painting stimulates other possibilities, different ways to see. So, although each painting is planned and sketched with a specific idea of a finished painting in my mind, watercolor allows me to push the image beyond and into a personal view.
I particularly like to play lots of dark and light colors against the white paper in order to achieve maximum color contrast. To me, focusing on scenes where light and shadows make interesting shapes is a essential issue in pursuing subject matter for my paintings.

Nancy has been included in over 200 National and International Watercolor and Art Exhibitions, and has won over 85 awards. The artist is very diversified and paints subject matter from birds to portraits—and uses numerous different techniques to achieve her finished painting. Nancy is currently serving as President of the International Society of Marine Painters.

...Art should have both form and content. If it is to be considered great art, then it must also embrace the subtleties of aesthetics. Defined by these traditions, the problem with most modern art would be a matter of extremes; art tends to be all form or all content. The artist has a responsibility to achieve a balance between both equally important factors–that process is part of the difference between mediocrity and mastery...

MAJOR EXHIBITIONS THAT HAVE INCLUDED NANCY'S WORK ARE: (partial list)
Exhibition Hall - Hangzhou, China (1984 and 1994), Midwest Watercolor Society (8 Annuals- Award, 2002), Watercolor West - CA (5 Annuals), Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors - NY (6 Annuals-Award 1996), Birds in Art, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI (6 Annuals)

ELECTED HONORARY AND SIGNATURE MEMBERSHIPS INCLUDE: (partial list)
American Artists Professional League - Fellow,
Arizona Watercolor Association - Royal Scorpion Society,
Texas Watercolor Society - Purple Sage Society,
Academic Artists of America, Georgia Watercolor Society, Kentucky Watercolor Society, Midwest Watercolor Society, Northwest Watercolor Society, Watercolor West, American Society of Marine Painters, Society of Animal Painters, Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, Whiskey Painters of America

Listed in Who’s Who in American Art
Listed in Who’s Who of American Women
Listed in Who’s Who in the Midwest
Listed in Who’s Who in the World
Listed in Who’s Who in America
Listed in International Who’s Who

Nancy Fortunato is not swayed by what is fashionable or trendy, but committed to excellence in her work— simplicity—yet infinitely sophisticated in its content.

Sweet Melodies-Immature Wren
Watercolor
Size: 7" x 10"
Price: $ 575.00

"Red Coat" - Cardinal
Size: 16" x 18" (matted)
Price: $ 450
Open edition prints available
$ 150 (matted)

Bird Art
Gallery Index