Nancy R's love of art began with her childhood on a small farm in rural Illinois. Drawing, writing, working on the farm, and riding her Choctaw pony were a part of her
life in the country. As a child, she often wandered the fields and forest with pencil and sketchbook, drawing anything and everything she could find. Horses, cattle, ducks, and chickens were some of her earliest subjects.

Nancy went on to study oil painting with noted artists Ralph Oberg, Dan Young, Matt Smith, Chris Alvarez, and Ken Elliott. Learning the finer points of landscape painting
from these artists greatly influenced her use of bold brushwork, color, and light/shadow.
Nancy still paints from life when possible - she believes it's an exercise that keeps her tuned in to the true colors and patterns of light, not simply in how a camera captures it. After a serious cycling accident that nearly left her paralyzed, Nancy's main artistic focus shifted back larger, more energetic works. The freedom, energy, and movement of animals in particular inspired her to paint larger and more energetically. Now, most of her paintings are devoted to these larger, more vibrant works that combine use of bold color and brushstrokes, all while trying to express the deeper energy of life.