Meet the Artists of Kent Island Federation of Arts: Nancy O’Brien

Articles_7_24_002 (230 x 227)Nancy O’Brien, a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art In Baltimore City, is the current co-president of the Kent Island Federation of Arts in Historic Stevensville. She is best known as a watercolor artist, and her genre is landscapes, particularly those depicting the Eastern Shore. She has spent her life refining her unique ability to reflect the beauty and serenity of the natural environment. Nancy’s favorite master painter is Rembrandt because of his extraordinary use of light, which has had some influence on her. She also appreciates impressionistic master artists such as Van Gogh and Monet.

Nancy participates in many shows at KIFA including the January Artists Challenge, the August Plein Air Show, the winter Holiday Boutique and Tiny Treasures. She also serves as a Plein Air artist for the garden tour accompanying the annual June Garden Boutique show. Nancy most recently won first place at the Chesapeake College Art Show for her pastel entitled “Tree-o,” which was purchased by a patron at the show. Nancy’s paintings are generally valued at $200 for an original and under $125 for a framed reproduction giclée.

In addition to KIFA, Nancy’s work was recently on display at the Talbot County Visual Arts in Easton, the Chesapeake Heritage Center at the Kent Narrows, Johns Hopkins Urgent Care in Chester, Chesapeake College in Wye Mills and the Maritime Museum in Eastport. Nancy says the best part of being a member of KIFA is all the amazing friends she has made over the years.

Come celebrate KIFA’s 50th anniversary with Nancy. She will be one of 50 Artists whose work will be offered for auction at the Artasia Gala scheduled for November 9. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased at KIFA, located at 405 Main Street in Historic Stevensville. Call 410-643-7424 for additional information or visit www.KIFA.US. Posters commemorating their 50th year and featuring the art of Nancy and eight other artists also can be purchased for $5 each. Don’t forget to purchase a $50 raffle ticket for a chance to win a boat from their partner Annapolis Boat Sales. The winner of the boat raffle will be announced at the Gala.

KIFA is also the benefactor of this year’s Shore Update Good, Better, Best celebration at The Jetty on Thursday, September 12. This year’s event, sponsored by The Jetty, Bud Light & Kelly Distributors, offers free admission, light hors d’oeuvres, happy hour prices until 8pm and a celebratory cake courtesy of Fields of Heather Bakery. This year’s event will also feature a shrimp boil for $18 in advance or $22 at the door. Visit wordpress-547-1846-2922.cloudwaysapps.com for more information, to buy tickets and to vote for your local favorites! All entries will be entered to win 5 VIP tickets to the vent… hurry, deadline to vote is August 23rd.