Meet Nancy Goodman Lawrence of Tear My Art Out in Mar Vista

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Goodman Lawrence.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Nancy. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
There have been certain key points in my life – quiet events – that influenced me to become an artist and then guided the direction my art would take. These seemingly small moments included my enchantment with a first grade peer’s drawing of a ship, which looked like a magazine illustration and was hung on the wall in the classroom; a foray into collage after doing an art project with a class as a substitute teacher for LAUSD and later, taking possession of a box of maps found in my parents’ home after my father died.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I studied art at UCLA, and my biggest challenge as a graduate was finding a community of artists. It took me a long while to do so, but I am now involved in several nonprofit arts organizations including the Los Angeles Art Association, Women Painters West, Collage Artists of America and Jewish Artists Initiative (JAI). Years ago, I began a group called ArtTalk, which has seven members who meet monthly to shoptalk and discuss our work. I am also in a private art discussion group. Los Angeles is home to so many artists that it is important to find community in smaller groups.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Tear My Art Out – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My work has evolved over the years and I am constantly pushing the boundaries to avoid staying in one place. I began as a painter but became interested in collage about 15 years ago. After finding the box of maps mentioned above, I was inspired to create three bodies of work from them. These included portraits, the figure and a series of what I call “concentric narratives,” non-objective work that began with a central circle and moved outward. For several years, I was working primarily with maps and was known for my map collages.

Recently, I have created a body of paintings and mixed-media pieces that combine painting, drawing and collage in ways that play with space, weaving movement with stillness, flatness with depth and light with dark.

I do as much looking at my work as I do painting it. I put down a shape or color and step back, taking a lot of time before deciding what my next move will be. In this way, the work tells me what it needs and surprises me as it progresses.

In 2017, I had an opportunity to work on a collaborative project with three other artists through the organization JAI (Jewish Artists Initiative). We created a 4-piece mural that was shown at the Jerusalem Biennale 2017. Our topic was Human Rights, and my portion of the mural, entitled “Chibok Girls,” was based on the 276 schoolgirls who were kidnapped from the town of Chibok in Nigeria in 2014.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
At the moment, I am working back and forth between painting and collage, creating pieces that feature strong shapes and color and can suggest multiple personal narratives.

I consider myself a deadly serious artist with an extremely playful side! I entertain myself with discovering the possibilities.

My work has been featured in several publications including Kolaj Magazine Issue #14, The America Journal of Nursing and the books, Collage, Assemblage and Altered Art; Masters: Collage, Major Works by Leading Artists and Geo Graphic, A Book for Map Lovers.

Contact Info:

• Website: NancyGoodmanLawrence.com
• Email: [email protected]

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