Episode 34: A conversation with Nancy and Russell Thayer on art, life, and love.

Art Ladders: The Creative Climb

We had the pleasure to spend an enjoyable hour with our artist friends, Nancy and Russell Thayer from their home and studios in Detroit via Zoom as we recorded this podcast. We couldn't help but compare and contrast our lives as artists and partners with them. We talked about sharing studio space, what a typical day would be and how each artist maintains their unique identity. As the conversation went on the secret to their successes as artists and spouses boils down to an unfailing respect for each other and unconditional love. You can hear it in their tone of voices and see it on Zoom in their expressions. Armin and I came away from this interview feeling as if we were given a key to unlock the doors that sometimes slam but can be opened with respect for each other blended with lots of love.

The work of Nancy Thayer is included in numerous museum collections including the Detroit Institute of Arts, Muzeum Papiernictwa, Duszniki Zdroj, Poland, Foundation MINT ALAPITVANY, Budapest, Hungary, and in over 200 private and corporate collections throughout Europe and the U.S. She was commissioned to create nine major sculptural paintings for the city of Detroit, and 3 for major health care facilities in Michigan. Her work has been shown extensively throughout the U.S and in Italy, Germany, Hungary, Poland, The Netherlands and Korea.

“While the visual content refers to and suggests forms of nature, they are not meant to be photographic or site-specific. My intention is always to communicate the spiritual essence and impact of the environment. In one series of paintings, I focused on sacred grottos, caves, and stalactites to express a private place for contemplation and a sense of solitude deep within what has been formed by nature over long periods of time.” Nancy Thayer

Russell Thayer is an artist who creates sculpture in cast bronze, brass, aluminum and steel. Each piece, whether personal or a public collaboration, showcases his love of architecture, sculpture, dance, poetry and history. His long career as an artist and educator is distinguished by numerous works in public and private collections. An educator for 48 years, Thayer served as Professor of Art History, Sculpture and Drawing at Delta College, followed by 15 years as a Professor of Art at the University of Michigan. Thayer received his M.F.A. from the Instituto Allende, San Miguel d’Allende, Mexico, an M.A. in sculpture and a B.S. in Design from the University of Michigan, and a C.C. in Industrial Design from the Royal College of Art in London.

"My love of architecture, sculpture, dance, poetry and history has influenced and informed my work from my student days at the University of Michigan to my most recent sculptural work. I find pleasure and purpose in creating works that are personal as well as works that are collaborations with various private and public clients." Russell Thayer

Links:

Nancy Thayer website: https://nancythayerpaintings.com

Heading West: Thayer + Thayer Exhibit at Westward Gallery, Denver, Colorado: https://stamps.umich.edu/news/nancy-and-russell-thayer-exhibit-at-westward-gallery

Nancy Thayer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancythayer/

Russell Thayer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-thayer-618b1922/