Podcasts

In Episode 43 of Inside the Frame Podcast, Frame Center welcomes Nancy Cloonan, a Plymouth-based abstract painter whose thoughtful, layered compositions are deeply rooted in both observation and emotion. Through a warm and insightful conversation, Nancy shares her creative evolution, community connections, and the quiet details that inspire her vibrant work.

Rooted in Plymouth, Inspired by the Details

A longtime resident of Plymouth, Nancy’s relationship with art has been lifelong, but her journey as an abstract painter truly bloomed in the community’s rich art environment. From early days experimenting in the basement of the Plymouth Center for the Arts to becoming an active member of organizations like the Newburyport Art Association and the Abstract Artists Group of New England, Nancy has steadily built a meaningful presence in the regional art scene.

Nancy’s work is born from observation, specifically the small, often-overlooked details of everyday life. As a longtime dog walker, she spends her days scanning the ground, absorbing shapes and shadows. A puddle formed just right after the rain, or a textured patch of sidewalk might later reappear as a bold shape in one of her multi-layered compositions.

Painting with Purpose and Patience

Nancy’s creative process is slow and intentional. She typically works on dozens of paintings at once, carefully layering color, shape, and texture on wood panels, a surface she favors for its strength and smoothness. Her preferred materials include grease pencil, graphite, NeoColor II crayons, and acrylics, all sealed with a cold wax medium when complete.

Color, while vibrant in her pieces, comes second to shape and design. Her abstract language is one of thoughtful balance: adding, subtracting, and sometimes sacrificing a beloved part of a painting in service of the whole.

Building a Creative Community

Nancy credits much of her growth to the creative networks she’s found. From the Arty Pants Magazine collective organized by Maryanne, a fellow Plymouth-based connector and curator, to the online Art2Life program led by Nicholas Wilton, Nancy has surrounded herself with a mix of in-person and virtual artists who offer both critique and camaraderie.

It was through Art2Life that she connected with a collector in Calgary who insisted on purchasing a piece. Though shipping was a challenge, Nancy saw it through. “She needed the painting, and I needed her to have it,” she said, a sentiment that reveals her deep respect for the emotional resonance art can carry.

Mentorship, Multiples, and Looking Ahead

Nancy’s commitment to growth doesn’t stop at her own practice. She’s begun mentoring other artists—one-on-one—and is currently working with her own mentor to elevate her online presence and prepare for more gallery opportunities and residencies.

Her series often takes shape by working on several similarly sized panels at once. Using a stay-wet palette and a collection of “value brushes,” Nancy allows colors to evolve naturally across works. While not all pieces in a series are completed together, they are tied by time, technique, and a shared creative spark.

Her studio, dubbed “Number 17 Studio” after a nickname from her artist friend Sarah Bates Washburn, may be small and tucked inside her home, but it’s a space of expansive exploration.

In a world that often races to finish lines, Nancy Cloonan’s art is a reminder of the value of process, presence, and patience. Her work invites viewers to slow down, notice the shapes beneath their feet, and find joy in the abstract beauty that surrounds us.

Frame Center is proud to celebrate artists like Nancy Cloonan who bring meaning and movement to our creative community. Be sure to follow Inside the Frame for more conversations with local makers, visionaries, and art lovers.