“I have always loved horses and art. Being able to pursue both passions together is a dream come true for me.

Some of my earliest memories include the etchings of noted cowboy artist Ed Borein. My grandfather’s brother-in-law had assisted the artist in his studio and my grandparents collected his work. I was enthralled with his depictions of early California vaqueros, horses, cattle and ranch life. With pencil and paper I would copy them by the hour, offering them to my grandfather for his gentle but exacting critiques. Thus began my art training, before I even started elementary school. Many years later I would continue it at the University of California at Santa Barbara and Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.

Another important influence on me was Will James’ book “Smoky”. As a youngster I loved reading the story from the horse’s point of view and looking at James’ gorgeous illustrations. I totally identified with Smoky and at that age felt like I wanted to be a horse and roam the open range forever.

I think it is this concept of freedom and “roaming the range forever” that makes the horse such a compelling symbol of the American West and so attractive to me artistically. Living in Santa Barbara, California between the mountains and the ocean, there is nothing more exhilarating to me than a sunset gallop on the beach. My goal is to capture that same passion and excitement on canvas with paint. I want to create visions that glow with life and color, powerful visions that not only capture the transitory nature of outer reality but reach beyond it and tap into the timelessness of that inner reality of emotion and memory. It’s almost as though the image of the horse is carrying me forward in my artistic quest just as surely as I could be carried physically by a flesh-and-blood horse. Perhaps I am roaming that open range after all.”

Nancy Davidson has established a national reputation for her vibrant paintings of horses. Her work has been exhibited at the Redding Museum and Art Center, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Museum and Library in Simi Valley, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in California, the Tucson Museum of Art in Arizona and the International Museum of the Horse in Lexington, Kentucky. In addition her art was selected for the set design in the 2004 feature film “Sideways”. For 15 years she has been a regular participant at the prestigious Peppertree Art Show started by Irma and Bob Eubanks and continued by their son, Trace. Currently she is represented by Judith Hale Gallery in Los Olivos, California. Born in Santa Barbara, Nancy still resides there with her husband John and two teenage sons, Scott and Robbie.

INVITATIONAL AND JURIED EXHIBITIONS

2009   "Cowgirl Up!", invitational exhibit and sale, Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Wickenburg, AZ

1993-2008   Peppertree Art Show, invitational group show, Santa Ynez, CA

2006   "Natural Perceptions", invitational group show, Meisel Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA

2004   Strathearn Western Art Show, juried show, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, Simi Valley, CA

1996   Women Artists of the West, juried show, Tucson Museum of Art, AZ (catalog)

1993   American Academy of Equine Artists, juried show, International Museum of the Horse, Lexington, KY

1990   "Image of the Horse", juried show, Redding Museum of Art, CA (catalog)

1988   "Dialogues", group show, Arts Council, Los Angeles County Museum of Art

1987   "Atkinson Invitational", two-artist show, Atkinson Gallery, Santa Barbara City College

1987   "Of Man and Nature, Time and Space", solo show, Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum

PUBLICATIONS AND AWARDS

2004   Paintings selected for set design in Academy Award winning film, "Sideways"

2003   "Equine Vision" magazine, "Beyond the Reality", feature article, Fall issue

2001  "The Equine Image" magazine, featured millennium artist, December-January issue

2000   First Place Oil Painting, Western States Horse Exposition, juried show, Sacramento, CA

2000   California Cowboy Award, Grand National Rodeo Art Show, juried show