by Tammy Taylor
Staff Writer
Starting over in a career can be a difficult task, especially when it requires branching out on your own.
Nancy Anderson began painting murals 10 years ago when she was commissioned to paint the walls of her workplace, the Federal Reserve Bank. After showcasing her talent for the last decade on walls, fences and buildings, she is looking to make art her top priority.
After her work was highlighted in Better Homes and Gardens and the Southern Women’s Show, Anderson wants to move beyond word-of-mouth promotion to actively seek out business clients. Currently, she is in negotiations with a downtown business near the Osborn Center.
“I am trying to expand my client base in order to get more high-end jobs,” said Anderson. “For businesses to have a mural like that, it really helps people to remember where they’ve been. It also helps to bring people in.”
Along with murals, Anderson specializes in trompe l’oeil, meaning fool-the-eye, and furniture. She also paints faux finish although she is not “too crazy about that.”
“What I will decorate is based on whatever the customer is willing to pay for,” said Anderson. “ I do businesses, home, whatever you can think of, really.”
Currently, Anderson is hoping to be commissioned to adorn one of the Sea Cows for Kids manatees, the public art project to benefit the Otis Smith Kids Foundation.
“I hope I get picked, but if not, I will go out and find a sponsor,” she said. “To me, it is a three-dimensional mural to show my work and it will be done to benefit a good cause.”
Until then, the artist trained by her commercial artist mother and “talented” aunt, will continue to market her skills.
Anderson plans to display her work at the Glen Boyle Home Improvement Show at the Morocco Shrine Auditorium in June. She also has applied for one of three $25,000 grants offered to women small business owners from the Oxygen Network.
In the meantime, she continues to paint everyday.
“It’s so much fun,” she said. “You can do just about anything.”