The Reality

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She experimented with and developed technical skills in classes and in workshops with other artists. Her hours were filled with community boosting activities. She always gave of her time and energy to foster the arts in our community. You would see her explaining the various printmaking techniques at exhibitions and open houses. You would see her works donated to auctions. You will see her name on founding committees of a variety of art organizations in Kingston. She also shared her experiencing of nature with others such as field naturalists. She shared her appreciation of the history of our community by active participation in the Kingston Historical Society. And this continued to be true even as Nan advanced in age. At eighty her generosity and participation was as vital as ever. If her contributions to the life of Kingston receive recognition, it is not because she had been busy marketing herself. It is because, in her self-effacing manner, she touched the hearts of so many people in our community.
Nan offered a model of a person who had overcome the obstacles that exist for an artist to maintain focus on her art. We wanted to document the determination that allowed Nan to resist the forces of discouragement that she faced. We wanted to tell the story of a woman who made her impact on the world as a woman and an artist when it was not easy for women to gain recognition.