Artist Biography: Nancy West
In 2002, I stumbled into Imagine Art, an organization founded by Debbie Boyd Kizer and supported by volunteer Lydia Ward that literally brought me back from the dead. It has been an incredible journey having struggled all my life with mental illness and years of self medication to feel like the proper medication has finally given me a new lease on life.
Born in Dallas, Texas; I was the second child of my parents Lanny and Carolyn West. When I was five, I intuitively and subconsciously sought something that would provide me with my own sense of stability; I found that through painting. As our family moved around the United States, I continued entering and winning art contests in public schools and private shows throughout my elementary and high-school years. When I was nine years old living in Houston, I was diagnosed as Bi-Polar and I took my first private art lessons where I was introduced to oil painting.
In the midst of struggling with a lifetime of mental illness and 11 years of drug addiction, I searched through different art institutions and colleges to salvage any talent that could have possibly prevailed. I was drawn to the University of Texas at Austin in the 1980's and quickly developed relationships with three different professors. Under the guidance of Professor Michael Levers, Professor Ken Hale and Professor Kelly Fearing my artistic interests were developed through my explorations of several mediums with a focus on Oil Painting. I entered in shows and won several competitions but, soon after graduation, I was overcome with deep depression and I lost all power to create.
With my own spiritual redirection and connection to Imagine Art, I spent three years playing guinea pig and finally found the combination of medications that balanced out my body's chemistry. Lydia Ward tirelessly called me to engage with other artists at Imagine Art. I joined others at the Artist's breakfast, went on field trips and went to numerous art openings. I began painting again in 1994 and have flourished since then.
Today I have a full time career as an artist, volunteer and educator. Armed with this fresh sense of vitality I have re-entered the world of professional art and am again showing my work both locally and nationally.