'The Old Man and the Sea', Portrait Oil Painting, by Van Ness

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#fisherman, oil painting, 24"x36"x2", by Van Ness

Original oil painting on canvas, gallery wrapped, edges are painted dark gray.

A … Read more #fisherman, oil painting, 24"x36"x2", by Van Ness

Original oil painting on canvas, gallery wrapped, edges are painted dark gray.

A bearded man with a straw hat spoke to me with his expressiveness. Large cropped portrait of an elderly gentleman.

Nancy Van Ness – Artist Statement

Nancy Van Ness is an American oil painter whose work exists at the intersection of abstraction and figuration, informed by a foundation in design and advanced study in painting. She holds a BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute and both an MA and MFA from Fontbonne University.

Her practice is rooted in an intuitive, gestural process where each painting unfolds through layered applications of oil, oil pastel, and mixed media. Drawing from traditions of abstract expressionism and impressionism, Van Ness creates richly textured surfaces that balance spontaneity with compositional control. Color, movement, and material become the language through which each work is realized.

Van Ness approaches painting as a means of distillation; translating internal perception, lived experience, and the subtle energies of her environment into visual form. The resulting works are both dynamic and contemplative, inviting sustained engagement. Her paintings are designed not only to be viewed, but to inhabit space; bringing a sense of depth, resonance, and quiet sophistication to their surroundings.

Each piece reflects a commitment to authenticity and material integrity. Van Ness incorporates sustainable practices within her studio, utilizing recycled elements, natural pigments, and environmentally conscious framing where possible.

Her work is held in private collections and appeals to collectors who value expressive, process-driven painting with a refined aesthetic presence and enduring emotional impact.

Nancy Van Ness Art

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