East Bay artist travels a passionate path in art and philanthropy
EAST BAY, Calif. (August 21, 2024) — Nancy Boynton Hartley, an artist with deep roots in the East Bay hills, has spent over two decades capturing the essence of beauty and emotion through her vibrant paintings.
As a fourth-generation native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Hartley’s journey into the art world was nurtured from a young age, with her grandparents and extended family fostering her passion for creativity. Her early exposure to the rich cultural landscape of the Bay Area, including visits to numerous museums and art galleries, laid a strong foundation for her artistic development.
Her formal art education began at the Richmond Art Center, where she honed her skills as a young student. Her commitment to art continued through high school, where she attended Saturday and summer life drawing and painting classes at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. She later earned a BA degree in painting from San Jose State University and subsequently accepted into their Master of Fine Arts program.
“Bright colors, my travels, meeting new people and the happy moments that bring me joy – are the inspirations behind the vibrancy and warmth you see in my paintings,” she said.
Known for her love of bright colors and beautiful sceneries, Hartley has long been an abstract landscape artist. However, her recent work has seen an exciting evolution, incorporating elements such as furniture and figures, reflecting her desire to explore new styles and narratives within her art.
Beyond Hartley’s artistic pursuits, she is deeply committed to philanthropy. She is a dedicated supporter of the Lyme Disease Foundation, creating and donating paintings to raise funds and awareness for the cause. Hartley’s compassion shines through in her advocacy, particularly for those who suffer from Lyme disease and face challenges in accessing proper healthcare and treatment, including young children, adults and the elderly.
Hartley’s work is featured in prominent locations, including The Gardener in Berkeley and San Francisco, Studio Gallery in San Francisco, JOR Fine Art Gallery in Clayton and Elliott Fouts Gallery in Sacramento. Her art continues to inspire and connect with audiences, offering a window into her vibrant world and the causes she passionately supports.
In a career marked by continuous growth and a heartfelt commitment to the community, Hartley stands as a testament to the power of art to not only capture beauty, but to drive meaningful change.
Email Julia O’Reilly at joreillyfineartgallery@gmail.com.
Julia O'Reilly
Born and raised in the beautiful city of Istanbul, Turkey, Julia pursued her studies in Business and Economics at Istanbul University before immigrating to the United States in 1991. She furthered her education at Las Positas College, specializing in Interior Design, and eventually settled in Clayton, where she has resided for 29 years. In 2003, Julia began her career as a jewelry artist, earning recognition from Diablo Magazine as the Best of the East Bay Local Jewelry Designer in 2012. Since 2014, she has been involved with the Blackhawk Gallery in Danville, California, and became President of the Alamo Danville Artists Society in 2020. In 2022, she opened her own JOR Fine Art Gallery, and for the past two years, she has been actively contributing to the Art Community in Clayton, a passion she deeply cherishes.