Meet Erica Nazzaro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Nazzaro.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I have done art all my life. I graduated from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in 1984. I also majored in Arts when I went back to school in 1999 at Wheelock College. But in 2012 I started a new chapter in my art making. For the first time I was willing to put my art out to the world. I had always done my art for myself but I applied for an artist residency in the dunes of Provincetown and I was awarded one week at Ray Wells Shack through Peaked Hill Trust in the National Seashore of Provincetown. From then on I have been showing my work and gaining confidence and building on my artistic skills. That experience of having the artist’s residency propelled me into taking my art more seriously. A group of women artists and I started an art group. We met monthly and this was very uplifting. We were at all different points in our careers as artists (and mothers, and/or caregivers,) and we discussed logistics, styles, self-care, and marketing. I felt totally encouraged by the group of women artists. I then joined the collective of Uforge Gallery for about two years, which helped me to be in the public and then I joined the steering committee of Jamaica Plain Artists Association. I worked with Jamaica Plain Artist Association as one of six steering committee members for two years. I have shown at Open Studios in Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, and Dedham. I have shown at Bromfield Gallery in the South End and Atlantic Works Gallery in East Boston. Internationally my art has traveled to Venice, Italy and to Cuba.

Since the beginning my art supplies were always on my back, in a backpack, I was a traveling artist, a gypsy wanderer that finds inspiration wherever I go. I tend to spend time near bodies of water, lakes, ponds, the ocean, reservoirs, and streams. In the past year I have been able to devote a space in my home to my artwork and the shift has been fantastic. Having the ability to work on my art whenever I want to has inspired me to think about my art daily and be always refining and adjusting the ideas in my head onto paper. I was the recipient of an award from the City of Boston for my painting in the Spring 2018. I am a member of Jamaica Plain Artist Association and Hyde Square Art Association.

Please tell us about your art.
I am inspired by nature, the light through the trees, the essence of a place, the mood that is created by the light, clouds, and the weather. I am looking to express myself through colors, textures, shapes, that create a refuge, a sanctuary, a calmer place. People are so busy in their lives, trying so hard to make ends meet, to get ahead, to be ambitious. In my art I hope there is a space that is created to be restful, be still, and to replenish. My art can be a viewer’s connection with a place of safety in the middle of a tumultuous, unjust, busy, crazy, and demanding life.

I am striving to capture a feeling that I get from a particular place. I am tapping into the energy or the spirit that dwells in each setting. I am aiming to seize the mood that the place holds for me rather than a realistic image of what the place looks like.

Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
The biggest challenge for artists is how to fit our art needs into our lives when there are so many demands upon us. Just to live in the Boston area is extremely expensive and that takes a toll on an artist.

My advice to an artist who is struggling financially is to never restrict your creativity due to financial reasons. If one puts their art first and allows their passion to emerge things will fall into place. I have created art on the backs of postcards, and have used brown paper bags opened up and flattened. Any type of cardboard can be a surface for art. Recycled materials and networking with other artists to share materials and reuse is always a good idea. One artist’s trash may be another artist’s treasure.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I am on Instagram and love taking photos that is the best way to see what I am up to currently. I post my recent artwork on Instagram. Please feel free to follow me. I will be showing three pieces of art at the 125th Blue Hills Fall show at the Trailside Museum (1904 Canton Avenue in Milton) from September 8-November 28th.

I will be showing my most recent paintings and selling cards at the Loring Greenough House (12 South Street in JP) at Jamaica Plain Open Studios on Saturday and Sunday September 22 and 23, 11-6 both days. I have eleven pieces of art for sale at Perkins Inn on 32 Perkins Street in JP.

The best way to support me is to check out my website, send me an email, and I will include you on my art invite list. You can follow me on Instagram and consider purchasing my art and cards.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ericasnazzaro.com
• Phone: 617 359 1548
• Email: ericanazzaro@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericasnazzaro/

Image Credit:
The photo of me was taken by Chris Hyde. My cats love to watch me paint. Spotty is the big one and Butterscotch is the little one. The photo was taken in my “Art Haven”. (Otherwise known as an art studio)

Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.