HARLINGEN — What once was an obsession putting together jigsaw puzzles of famous paintings has become Nancy Fly’s own passion for art and creativity.
The band booking agent, who spent much of her life in Austin, has found her love of oil painting, specifically plein air painting. That means “in full air.”
Plein air is the French expression describing the art of outdoor painting, capturing landscapes and views in natural light with the surroundings right here.
She says the paintings need to be completed within three hours, but it is the nature that makes it an amazing experience.
“Painting from life is so much more instructive in terms of noticing color and shapes and how the light falls on subjects,” she said. “It is so much more immediate when you are out there.”
Often, Nancy sketches what she sees and then paints them later. She also takes photographs and heads to the studio to create much larger paintings from the photos.
The artist, who has several of her paintings on display at the Harlingen Art Forum on Jackson Street in downtown, is proud of her work and the 20 years she has been painting.
“I haven’t always been an artist,” she said. “I have always been involved in the arts. I am a musician and made my living being a booking agent for bands, sending them all around the U.S., Canada and even to Europe.”
About a year ago, Nancy and her husband came to Harlingen. He is a social studies teacher at the Cano Academy.
They both love it here in the Valley.
It all started with the jigsaw puzzles. Her husband suggested she really preferred to draw instead of put the puzzles together. So, he purchased some drawing supplies for her.
“So, soon after that, I started using those supplies and wanted to develop that skill even more,” she said.
Then, she started to take classes in Austin and now learns with artists all around the country. Her upcoming trip to Mexico to learn from a quality artist has her excited.
“It is really intense,” she said. “You wake up in the morning, you just start painting. The teachers try to impart some of their knowledge onto you.”
In spring, Nancy hopes to impart some of her knowledge onto local artists, planning to give oil painting classes at the Harlingen Art Forum.
Who would have thought she would be teaching? After all, she was just putting together jigsaw puzzles.
Upcoming art classes
WHAT: Acrylic pour lesson
WHEN: Jan. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Harlingen Arts Forum, 115 E. Jackson Street
COST: $20 for ages 8 and older
WHAT: Study Medieval times. Make a castle and curtain walls, gate and more using recyclable materials.
WHEN: Jan. 20 and Jan. 27 and will continue into February, from 1 to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Harlingen Arts Forum, 115 E. Jackson Street
COST: $15 per class for ages 8 and older
OTHER OFFERINGS
Also in January, On Tuesdays the Harlingen Art Forum will have open painting. The cost will be $5 to bring whatever you are working on and there will be group painting. There will be no instruction, but there will be support. The open paint will run from noon to 4 p.m.
