In this series of paintings, Spirit of Place, I explore the idea of land, memory, and connection through expressive, abstracted landscapes. A majority of the works focus on tree-like imagery, conveying mood through the use of expressive lines (created by oil bars), quick and deliberate brushstrokes, bold colors, and implied light. The subject matter becomes secondary to the use of line, color, texture, value, and light, allowing different degrees of expression and abstraction. Variations of light in these works are used to reinforce mood, symbolizing a spiritual connection to place, referring to its distinctive or cherished aspects, or referencing the intangible energy and/or Spirit of a place (or soul). The landscape imagery, referencing spirit, memory, and passage of time are meant to be both haunting and celebratory.
Bio
Nancy O’Dell-Keim is a professional artist formally trained in painting. The Union, SC native received a BFA from Converse College and a MFA from Clemson University.
Nancy has participated in numerous exhibitions throughout the South. Recent exhibitions include Altered Realism, located at The Upstairs Artspace in Tryon, NC; Spartanburg County Library 4th Annual Juried Competition (Third Place); Spirit and Earth, a two person exhibition featured the West Main Artists Cooperative, Spartanburg, SC; A Faculty Makes, USC Upstate Faculty Exhibition; M/A/M/A (group invitational), The Arts Center, Clemson, SC; The Unstill Life (2 person exhibition) at the Artists’ Guild Gallery, Spartanburg, SC; Foundations, a solo exhibit at the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, Greenville, SC; Upstate Artist Invitational, The Greenville County Museum of Art; and the Faculty Exhibition at Converse College, Spartanburg, SC.
Her work experiences include an Adjunct Professorship at USC Upstate and Converse College, both located in Spartanburg, SC. Other recent work experiences include a one-year faculty position at the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities (residential High school), Visiting Artist and Milliken Gallery Director for Converse College, and Adjunct Professor for Wofford College. She is an active and founding member of the West Main Artists’ Co-op, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the arts in the Upstate.
Nancy is living and working in Spartanburg, SC. She is married to Scott Keim and has two sons, Jake and Bryce.
