Nancy Reyner | Contemporary Abstract Artist in Santa Fe, NM Nancy Reyner is a celebrated contemporary abstract painter with over 30 years of experience transforming ordinary surfaces into extraordinary, luminous worlds. Living and working in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Nancy is renowned for her bold use of materials, her mastery of color, and her deep commitment to the transformative power of art. Whether she is creating exotic, meditative landscapes or sharing her expertise through best-selling books and online painting classes, Nancy’s mission is clear: to bring the invisible inner world into tangible, physical form. The Art: Merging the Literal and the MetaphoricalNancy’s work hovers beautifully between pure abstraction and realistic landscape. She expertly combines paint with unusual materials—such as gold, silver, and copper leaf, as well as reflective pigments—to craft images that glow with an otherworldly quality. Another signature style incorporates layers of glowing white to enhance color intensity, turning painted forms into radiant gems. "The ability to dream and create new worlds, by taking a flat surface and transforming it into the illusion of 3D, is the gift that painters can bring to the world." — Nancy Reyner Her recent work embraces a brighter, bolder palette, leaning into dynamic visual movement and the visceral, tactile feel of the canvas. While nature remains her ultimate muse—portraying luminous notions of air, water, earth, and light—her latest pieces allow the artist's hand to show even greater expression and abstraction. The Santa Fe Influence Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Nancy’s artistic journey truly matured upon relocating to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The region's diverse climate zones, breathtaking scenery, and illuminating high-altitude light fuel her passion for abstract landscapes. Living in a place that honors master painters like Georgia O’Keeffe, Nancy continuously connects with the magic of the natural world, imbuing her canvases with the enchanting qualities of the Southwest. An Authority in Contemporary Painting Nancy’s expertise is backed by rigorous classical training and decades of professional achievement. Her journey began by running a puppet theater in New York City, which sparked a lifelong addiction to painting. Commissions & Studio Visits Art is a rewarding pursuit that adds immense quality to life. Nancy’s paintings can be viewed through her gallery representation or by scheduling a private visit to her Santa Fe studio. She warmly welcomes commissions and thrives on collaborating with clients to create unique, personalized works of art. With over 30 years of experience creating custom pieces, Nancy’s collaborative process guarantees a stunning result that perfectly fits your space and vision. EDUCATION ‣ 1987 MFA, Columbia University, New York City, NY‣ 1979 BFA, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI‣ 1975 – 2004 Additional Studies with Phyllis Bramson, David True, Jane Wilson, Art Students League, Moore College of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts SOLO & FEATURED EXHIBITIONS ‣ 2020 Art on Centre, Fernandina Beach, FL‣ 2012 Beth Urdang Gallery, Boston, MA‣ 2011 Pippin Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM‣ 2010 Sylvia Plotkin Judaica Museum, Scottsdale, AZ‣ 2009 InArt Gallery, Santa Fe, NM‣ 2009 Hallmark Galleries, La Jolla, CA‣ 2007 Lynne Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ‣ 2006 Featured Artist, Home & Garden’s TV series HGTV, “That’s Clever”‣ 2006 InArt Santa Fe Gallery, Santa Fe, NM‣ 2006 Zane Bennett Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM‣ 2005 Calvin Charles Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ GROUP SHOWS (SELECTED) ‣ 2012 Beth Urdang Gallery, Boston, MA‣ 2012 Pippin Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM‣ 2011 Santa Fe Civic Center, Community Gallery, Santa Fe, NM‣ 2011 Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, NM‣ 2010 Hubbard Museum of the American West, Biennale Grande, NM‣ 2008 Cline Dale Fine Art, Scottsdale, AZ‣ 2008 Site Santa Fe, “Site Unseen 7”, Santa Fe, NM‣ 2008 Center for Contemporary Arts, “Eight by Eight”, Santa Fe, NM‣ 2007 Florence Biennale, Florence, Italy‣ 2006 St. John’s College, John Sloan Drawing Show, Santa Fe, NM‣ 2006 Karen Ruhlen, “Body Language”, Santa Fe, NM‣ 2005 New Mexico Cancer Center, Albuquerque, NM‣ 2003 Galerie Auger, Santa Fe, NM‣ 1998 Sandra Humphries Gallery, Albuquerque, NM‣ 1997 Phoenix Center, Phoeniz, AZ‣ 1996 Shemer Arts Center, Phoenix, AZ‣ 1995 Mars Art Space, Phoenix, AZ‣ 1994 Gallery 10, Scottsdale, AZ & Santa Fe, NM‣ 1992 Grayson County College, Dennison, TX‣ 1992 University of Texas, El Paso, TX‣ 1992 Texas A&M University, College Station, TX‣ 1992 Texarcana Arts & Humanities Council, Texarcana, TX‣ 1992 Gallery 1114, Midland, TX‣ 1992 Loma Linda University, Riverside, CA‣ 1987 Lincoln Center Gallery, New York City, NY‣ 1986 Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI‣ 1984 International Art Exhibition, Los Angeles, CA‣ 1983 City Gallery, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York City, NY GRANTS & AWARDS ‣ 2011 New Mexico Women for the Arts, Painting Excellence Award‣ 2003 New Mexico Arts, Purchase Initiative Award‣ 1998 Plymouth Whitemarsh Distinguished Graduate Award, PA‣ 1996 Arizona Commission on the Arts‣ 1996 Phoenix Commission on the Arts SELECTED PUBLICATIONS ‣ 2017 Author, Create Perfect Paintings, North Light Books‣ 2015 SantaFean NOW, art studio article, Aug 6, p. 24‣ 2014 Acrylic Artist Magazine, 29 Top Painters, Summer p. 8-21‣ 2014 Editor, AcrylicWorks, North Light Books‣ 2013 Author, Acrylic Illuminations, North Light Books‣ 2010 Author, Acrylic Innovation, North Light Books‣ 2009 Producer, Acrylic Revolution DVD, North Light Books‣ 2008 Contributing Author, Rethinking Acrylic, by Patti Brady, North Light‣ 2008 Workshop Magazine, Feature article, Spring 2008, pp. 6-16‣ 2007 Author, Acrylic Revolution, North Light Books‣ 2007 Guest Artist Interview, KPHX radio show “AZ Arts”, March 25th 7 pm.‣ 2007 Art Calendar, Feature Studio Tour, January Issue‣ 2007 American Art Collector, January Issue, “The Art of the ‘other’ Santa Fe”‣ 2006 The New Mexican, Pasatiempo (NM), May 26th Issue‣ 2006 Phoenix Home & Garden Magazine, June Issue, p. 186‣ 2006 Focus/Santa Fe Magazine, June/July Issue, pp. 48-51‣ 2003 Trail of Painted Ponies (video & book), Horsepower New Mexio‣ 2002 The Magazine (NM), Sept. & Oct‣ 2000 The New Mexican, Pasatiempo (NM), July 7th‣ 1998 Santa Fean Magazine (NM), May‣ 1996 Blast Magazine (AZ), May/June, Cover‣ 1996 Phoenix Downtown (AZ), July‣ 1991 Issue Earth Catalogue, Brandstater Gallery, La Sierra University, CA‣ 1990 Art Talk (AZ), November‣ 1990 American Talent; Texas Fine Arts Association, TX‣ 1990 Elan Magazine (CA), December 1990‣ 1982 Philadelphia Daily News (PA), January 8th PUBLIC COLLECTIONS City of Santa Fe Civic Center, Santa Fe, NMRitz-Carlton, Tysons Corner, VAUniversity of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, NMSouthwestern College, Santa Fe, NMSanchez Community Center, Bernalillo, NMHumane Society, Las Cruces, NMChaparral Facility, Dona Ana, NM PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONS ‣ 2002 Commission Painted Horse for Horsepower New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM‣ 1996 Mural Commission, Scottsdale Public Schools, AZ‣ 1989 Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, NM‣ 1988 Santa Fe Community Theater, Santa Fe, NM‣ 1987 Santa Fe Children’s Museum, Santa Fe, NM‣ 1985 A Certain Sacrifice, (Madonna’s 1985 video), New York City, NY‣ 1984 Broadway Production of Alice in Wonderland, New York City, NY‣ 1984 Floating Cinema, New York City, NY‣ 1984 YWCA, New York City, NY‣ 1983 Elizabethtown Cultural Center, Elizabethtown, NY‣ 1983 Staten Island Children’s Museum, Staten Island, NY‣ 1983 University of Massachusetts‣ 1983 Middlesex College‣ 1983 Baltimore National Aquarium, Baltimore, MD‣ 1982 Philadelphia Penns Landing, Philadelphia, PA‣ 1982 Wilma Project Theater, Philadelphia, PA RESIDENCIES & TEACHING POSITIONS‣ Present National Art Instructor, Acrylic Technical Consultant‣ 2009, ’10 Santa Fe Art Institute, Santa Fe, NM‣ 2008 Adjunct Professor University of Oklahoma‣ 2006,’07,’10 Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, Santa Fe, NM‣ 1997-2003 Artisan/Santa Fe‣ 1999-2003 Valdes Art Supplies; Santa Fe, NM‣ 1981-1986 Resident Artist, NYC Public Schools‣ 1988 Resident Artist, New Mexico Bureau of Indian Affairs‣ 1995-1997 Resident Artist, Phoenix Center for the Arts, Phoenix, AZ‣ 1984-1985 Instructor, Arts Administration Program, Columbia University, NYC, NY RELATED EXPERIENCE ‣ 2015-present Golden Artist Educator Program, Golden Artist Colors, Inc‣ 1999-2015 Tech Consultant, Working Artist Program, Golden Artist Colors, Inc‣ 1987-2000 Co-Owner, Gallery 10, Inc., Santa Fe, NM and Scottsdale, AZ‣ 1996-1997 Docent training program, Phoenix Art Museum, AZ‣ 1989-1993 Board Member, Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, NM‣ 1986-1987 Public Art Program Manager, New York State MTA‣ 1983-1984 Color Specialist, Shaedler/Pinwheel, New York City, NY‣ 1981-1983 Co-Director, The Ragabash Theater Company, NYC, NY‣ 1979-1981 Color & Photo Specialist, Photolettering, New York City, NY MEMBERSHIPS Santa Fe Council for the Arts; Friends of Contemporary Art, Museum of New Mexico