Nadie VanZandt
My artistic journey began in the small rural village in France where I was born. It all started with a simple painting project in kindergarten that ignited my lifelong passion for creativity. Later, while growing up in the vibrant culture of the Ivory Coast, I became captivated by the vivid textiles and spent countless hours sewing, drawing, and crafting. This early fascination with color and form laid the foundation for my current work.
After having a fulfilling career in engineering and spending years homeschooling my children, I shifted my focus to oil painting. I immersed myself in art by reading books and taking online courses, and I also attended weekly workshops at the Art Students League of Denver, learning under the guidance of Doug Dawson, Master Pastelist and oil painter.
My subject matter is rooted in the simple beauty of nature, my love of gardening, and my search for belonging in my adoptive country. I paint from personal photographs taken during my travels and in my backyard in Vermont’s Champlain Valley. Through my paintings, I strive to evoke a sense of peace, calm, and the soothing comfort of life’s simple pleasures.