 Nancy Burack (3.2010)
A lefty, my good hands have guided my entire life and livelihood, as they never fail me. Mechanical, precise, musical and versatile, they can draw, paint, sew, fix, arrange, and cut practically anything. My truest gift is the function of my hands. Their best friends are my eyes. Design, design, design is in everything they see.
My camera sees with me like a best friend you want to share things with. My style of photography is my camera as fellow traveler, documenting where my feet take me and what catches my interest along the way- mostly here in Manhattan. No set-ups in my photography - I love the happy accidents of candids. Sometimes a series of photos happen but rarely do I set out to "take" a certain kind of photograph. It's true, my work has evolved but not as a conscious endeavor. Even my work as a freelance photographer for The New York Post is based on being in the right place at the right time or keeping my eye out for trends. As a painter, I will not do commissioned work; as a photographer the same applies.
My credentials: I am an elected Exhibiting Member of The National Arts Club and an elected Artist Member of The Society of Illustrators, The Author's Guild, and the historic Dutch Treat Club, all here in Manhattan; the Graphic Artists Guild too.
Most recently, my paintings were shown at The National Arts Club in December, 2009 in an exhibit, On Home Ground (see Links! for YouTube video of the show). I have an upcoming exhibit at The Society of Illustrators Member's Gallery for February, 2011 featuring my newest illustrations.
I began my professional life as a graphic designer at the Indiana University School of Journalism, Bloomington, IN; then as a designer, editor and illustrator at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA. My portfolio has distinctive and noted college and university publications from Penn State, and Lehigh Universities; Lafayette and Muhlenberg Colleges; and most recently, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY; storyboards for Jim Henson Associates, Young & Rubicam, and Zanders Animation Studio, published writing and illustration for Macmillan Publishers, The Society of Illustrators.
I have a Master's in Illustration from Syracuse University; a BA from Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA.
Personally - Morning coffee is my favorite time of day; I read The Wall Street Journal and worry that soon it won't greet me at the door - I grow many orchids on a Manhattan windowsill; still missing the outdoor gardening I used to do. I can't dance; but I can ride a horse. Sitting at a sewing machine reminds me of childhood. Fabric, patterns, and thread from then taught me the basics of design and color, as did my aunt's florist where I worked as a teenager. A homebody, my other studio is my kitchen; I am a cook and collector of gadgets and recipes. Dark chocolate solves most problems; the movie Moonstruck tells the truth about love. Animals love me as much as I love them - nothing like the affection of a great dog, horse, or wise little lovebird.
Daily lap swimming is my fitness sport of choice; sailing's a privilege. Navigation's a strength of mine as long as the sails cooperate. What's in CNBC's Jim Cramer's head is astonishing to me; Seinfeld re-runs never disappoint. I take voice lessons on the West Side and have found a voice, not just one that sings. Many books surround me in my studio as I re-read books by Buechner, CS Lewis, Ulanov, Tournier, Hemingway, and Irving. Being able to quote Woody Allen from screenplays and short stories is a handy skill; my language is wonderfully sprinkled with Yiddish. Given another life I might have been a theologian, surgeon, or chef.
An adoptee, I live coincedentally about 10 minutes from where I was born. The Met nearby is my favorite place in the world. Manhattan is my family and I take what happens to it very seriously. Raised on Staten Island in a FDNY family; NYC public school educated, a graduate of Tottenville High School; it's an honor to be a native New Yorker.
For more information, contact me at njburackarts@aol.com.
|
