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Arts & Entertainment

Artist Profile: Nancy Freeman

Accomplished fabric artist returns to painting.

Nancy Freeman has always been an artist. She experimented with multiple mediums throughout her school years — ceramics, lithography, pastels and drawing. By the time she got to college, she narrowed it down to acrylic painting.

While attending California College of Arts & Crafts and San Francisco State, she discovered artful renditions of pies and cakes made of fabric by Wayne Thiebaud. “I was motivated to try this technique,” says Freeman.

After graduation, Freeman spent years creating fabric appliqué pictures and art quilts. Her fiber artwork has been used as illustrations for magazines, advertising, greeting cards and textbooks. During that time, Freeman's work was featured in Bay Area galleries and she also participated in multiple art and craft fairs.

Although Freeman is from Redwood City, she has called Benicia home since she moved here in 1997. Freeman was drawn to Benicia's well-known art community and the waterfront charm.

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After becoming a member of Arts Benicia, Freeman took classes from highly respected instructors Bill Harsh, Linda Grebmeier and Larry Morace. Freeman eventually gave up creating fabric art and began painting full-time.

Since then, Freeman has exhibited her paintings in a variety of local art shows, including at two wineries. “Lately, I've been captivated by the colors and scenery of New Mexico and plan to continue down this road for now,” says Freeman.

Freeman is not one to settle on her laurels, so she took a class at the Institute of Mosaic Art in Oakland. “I was instantly hooked,” she says. “Assembling many different pieces of tile, mirror and dishes reminded me of my quilting days, so it came naturally.” Freeman now makes stepping stones, plant pots, lamps, vases and unique garden art.

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