Inspired by Faith and Experience

Nancy Maffeo studied the arts at U.C. Santa Barbara in the 1960s, drawing inspiration from the revolutionary cultural shifts happening in real time around her. She primarily worked with traditional media – Acrylic on canvas, drawing, and Lithography. Post-graduation, she applied her creativity to molding young minds, teaching Kindergarten at Grace Smith School in Imperial Valley. Not forgetting her art, she joined a group of artists meeting monthly for critiques and showing their work to the valley communities. After a trip to Europe, she yearned for an opportunity to teach and travel. She took a posting overseas with the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) in Yokosuka, Japan.

Stitching Love Into Life

It was during this time that Nancy met the love of her life, a charming U.S. Navy sailor, Richard Maffeo. After a whirlwind romance culminating in their marriage in 1975, the pair returned to civilian life and Nancy applied her artistic eye to more practical matters as a homemaker. As their family grew to three children, her talents expressed itself through clothing fabrication, treasured stuffed animals and dolls, soft furnishings and bright curtains, baking breads and growing her own vegetables. She busied herself in, making the house a home.

As a full-time stay-at-home-mom, formal art took a back seat to other pursuits, but she still made time to nurture her skill set with periodic continuing education classes, including fiber arts, pottery, and drawing.

A New Vision

In the mid-2000s, with all three children now grown and forging their own career paths, Nancy returned to her artistic roots, experimenting first with drawing, paper cutting, mixed media, assemblage, and inspired by her Christian faith and the high-fantasy world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Then, in January 2019, life changed dramatically when Nancy experienced a near-fatal brain aneurysm. Three weeks in a Neuro-ICU, a further week in rehab and many months of recovery at home changed her perspective and informed a literal new vision for her work.

Walking in Light

Throughout the ordeal, she felt the presence of Jesus encouraging and helping her walk through the darkness. This is represented by an ever-present vision of a warm, glowing sphere enveloped in a sheer veil. It is this image, and her desire to glorify God through her art, which forms the foundation of Nancy’s current collection.

Nancy is a member of several artist organizations: The Johns Creek Art Center, American Women Artists and The International NCVA. She lives with her husband of 49 years and their two dogs, Frenchie and Happy Bear, in Cumming, GA.

Inspired by Faith and Experience

Stitching Love Into Life

A New Vision

Walking in Light

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