Artist Profile: Nancy Ballaine

Nancy Ballaine has fond memories of painting in kindergarten, so it's no surprise she's an artist. Her father was a mathematician and her mother a pharmacist, so she got little support for her artistic endeavors.

“In some ways it's better,” says Ballaine. “You end up marching to the beat of your own drum. You become an individual when you have to.” She earned her bachelor's of fine art degree from San Francisco State University.

Ballaine takes inspiration from the nature scenes and botanicals around her Sonoma County home. She is known for her dramatic use of rich color, both deeply saturated and diffused palettes. Ballaine cleverly fuses realism with abstract and geometric elements, purposefully avoiding sentimental elements.

Ballaine has worked a variety of mediums including glass and ceramics. “Anything you put in front of me, I like playing with it,” she says. “I am always looking towards the next thing.” Aside from creating art, Ballaine enjoys tending her “huge” garden on her four-acre property in Sebastopol.

Ballaine's husband of 31 years attended art school with Manuel Neri, so the couple have an old friendship with Neri and his partner, . When Dixon opened Gallery 621, she invited Ballaine to join as an artist. “She has done a good job of selecting artists that go well together, good variety and continuity,” Ballaine said. This is Ballaine's first time being involved with Benicia art scene but she is excited to be part of the collective.

See Ballaine's work at , which is hosting a grand opening on Sept. 9.