Meet Nancy Elle | Painter & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nancy Elle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nancy, why did you pursue a creative career?
After years of being extremely academic-focused, on the pathway of majoring in something within STEM, I took a screeching turn into pursuing fine arts when college appeared on the horizon. One question was relentlessly repeating in my head, over and over again: What am I uniquely capable of adding to the world? This question was the catalyst for deep introspection (as deep as my teenage self could get, at least). Security, stability, convenience were the values I was living by, but they weren’t the values I wanted to allow to define my pathway.

I went down the list of possibilities, one by one, trying to imagine what the shape of my life would be like with any given profession. And, against my family’s judgment (and, to some extent, my own), I chose art. At the time, I was just photographing, collaging, and writing (à la Livejournal, of course) as a means to feel more connected to the world around me… and although it seemed completely unserious, it was also the only thing that felt completely natural and truly meaningful to me. I couldn’t imagine making any kind of impact as significant as I could with art.

My career after college deviated into the tech industry (Oops! Those values from childhood seemed to stubbornly stick with me), but after 10 years, that same question from before echoed in my mind again: What am I uniquely capable of adding to the world?

I’ve been an artist ever since.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My upbringing, though complicated, seeded a perspective within me that has been channeled through my artwork. When I was a child, whenever I experienced physical or emotional hardship, I would curl up into a ball and imagine that I was such a tiny speck in the universe that whatever pain I felt was so, so small that it was essentially [mathematically] nonexistent, and this granted me incredible relief. If I could just picture that, I felt free of any circumstances.

The challenge is getting back to that imagination, being disciplined enough to recognize when the pain is more insignificant than it feels. When I don’t exercise this muscle, I can sometimes spiral into a cycle of self-indulgence that traps me in cynicism.

In both painting and photography, I’ve been exploring the idea of boundaries, particularly that of the human body and the surrounding environment: what does it look like when those edges are confused, blurred, and erased? This idea may be simplified into “oneness with the world,” but I think there’s a beauty in maintaining the delicate balance of between separateness and togetherness. I love the philosophical messiness of it all.

It’s why I’ve chosen to use mixed media, starting with pencil, layering with watercolors, layering and layering with acrylics, salt, oil pastels, flower petals, on and on. Every mark made on the canvas is visible, existing in all its glory while also being covered up by another mark.

It’s why I’ve chosen to use analog film to photography. The patina of earth from everywhere I’ve been thickens on my lens over time. Every piece of dust, every particle of light, and every fingerprint landing on the film negative is recorded and becomes an integral part of the final photograph.

It’s all messy, but it’s also all integral. Within the beauty of physical forms, within the history of marks, and within the “mistakes” of the hand is where I can find the most honest portrayal of life’s complexities.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Okay – here is a very extensive (perhaps *too* extensive) breakdown of the perfect day in Atlanta with a visitor.

The morning starts at Bleach Film Lab, which my husband and I operate, to grab some film to load up our cameras for the day. Since we’re already on the East side, we also swing by Avondale Farmer’s Market for some light refreshments. Specifically, we’d eat sourdough croissants from Galette, who are just about to open their first location! (Other great bakeries: Colette Bread & Bakeshop, Little Tart Bakeshop)

Once the croissants wear off and hunger strikes, we meander westward for food at Majestic Diner, which perfectly positions us to walk down Ponce De Leon and hop onto the Beltline. I love the Atlanta Beltline project and how it’s continuing to be thoughtfully developed as a connector of this massive city. It’s the perfect place walk and talk while seeing the wide breadth of people in Atlanta. We can either walk south towards Krog Tunnel to see all the rotating murals along the streets of Cabbagetown, or walk north towards Piedmont Park for a picnic and less-developed, forested trails. Or, you know, we can do both!

A caffeine boost will be necessary by the mid afternoon, which will be satiated by the wonderful people at Spiller Park. (Other great coffee shops: Stereo, East Pole, Banjo). That will get us hyped up enough to make our way to the High Museum. I particularly love their contemporary art collection in the Wieland Pavilion, but they also always have great rotating exhibitions. We then hop onto scooters to make our way through Midtown, through Piedmont Park, down the beltline, and land at the Fourth Ward Skatepark, which has the perfect view of the city *and* the sky. On a clear day, the sunset is beautiful there.

I’ve forgotten dinner!!! Ideally we have pre-bought banh mis from Buford Highway for sunset, but, if not, we make our way to Nam Phuong (Buford Highway), Leon’s (Decatur), or A Mano (Old Fourth Ward). The night ends in Virginia Highlands: a movie at Plaza Theatre, drinks at The Righteous Room, karaoke in the basement of Dark Horse Tavern (Metalsome).

This excludes so many other great places in Atlanta, but these are the neighborhoods that have been core to my time here so far. Much more to explore!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Artists:
Tim Walker, who first got me interested in photography and dreams
Lina Scheynius, whose work spurred a curiosity about bodies
Li Hui, who made me observe light more closely

Teachers:
James Welling, my photography professor, who encouraged me to embrace more “darkness” in my work

Other:
Amélie, direceted by Jean-Pierre Jeunet
The History of Love, written by Nicole Krauss
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, written by Ocean Vuong
California, Utah, New Mexico, for all the sunsets
Stars (the Canadian band)
The Bloc Party

Website: http://nancyelle.com

Instagram: http://instagram.com/nancyelle_