Updated May 28, 2015 by Nora

About the Artist

Nora Blansett (b. 1974, USA)

Visual Arts & Photography

I began drawing as a very young child and had my first gallery show when I was in my early teens. Growing up internationally I spent most of my childhood bouncing from country to county with “home” being Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In my teens I moved to Montgomery, Alabama and currently reside in New Minas, Nova Scotia.

Artistic Interests
Living abroad had a major impact on my art and opinions of the world around me. I began drawing intricate designs from the Middle East and India incorporating vivid colour, later finding a love of figurative works. The primary mediums I work in are ink, watercolours, and colour pencil as well as jewellery design, photography and fantasy soft-sculpture dolls. In 2010 my work was shown at the Golden Globes and 2011 the MTV Movie Awards, both in Los Angeles, California with the indiExhibit.

Personal Interests
I’m an artist, photographer, author and mother. My art and photography is collected around the world, published in various magazines and books and licensed for a variety of products.  I have three children and I am owned by a horde of (four) Chihuahuas.  I am an avid supporter of Autism and Cancer research, as well as LGBT rights and often donate my work and time to raise money and awareness.

Selected Group Exhibitions:

• 2014 – Steampunk Exhibition, Museum of Natural History, Halifax, NS
• 2014 – Island Park Gallery, Springfield, OR
• 2013 – Autism Artism, KindTree Productions, Eugene, OR
• 2011 – MTV Movie Awards, indiExhibit, Los Angeles, CA
• 2010 – Golden Globes Awards, indiExhibit, Los Angeles, CA
• 2008 – Autism Artism, KindTree Productions, Eugene, OR
• 2007 – Old Maders’ Wharf Emporium, Mahone Bay, NS
• 2001 – New South Gallery, Montgomery, AL
• 2001 – Montgomery Museum of Fine Art, Montgomery, AL

Solo Exhibitions:

• 2010 – Signature Glass, Windsor, NS
• 2009 – ReVamp Gallery, Morrigan LeFay’s Mystical Gifts, Dartmouth, NS
• 2009 – Mystic Meadow, Wolfville, NS
• 2008 – Signature Glass, Windsor, NS
• 2008 – “Little Dolls” (Soft Sculpture Dolls), Daniel’s Flower Shop, Windsor, NS
• 2007 – Amigo’s, Windsor, NS

Online Exhibitions:

• Jul 2, 2013 – The Daily Rainbow
• Jun 1, 2013 – Artist Spotlight, The Art Instruction Blog
• Jun 1, 2013 – The Daily Rainbow
• May 2013 – Femme Thou Art Collective
• Apr 26, 2013 – The Daily Rainbow
• Nov 4, 2012 – Featured Artist, Zazzle
• Jun 2, 2010 – Featured Artist, Michael’s Art Supply Online
• Jun 1, 2008 – Featured Artist, Mindless Pursuits

Publications:

• Hosseini, Debra, The Art of Autism: Shifting Perceptions, Bolton Associates, Inc., pg. 50-51
• ArtWanted Fine Arts Calendar, ArtWanted.com, Traditional Art Oct 27 2012
• Falconer, Simon, Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Goose Lane Editions, pg. 28, 38, 48, 89, 107, 162
• Brockman, Lauren, “A Bathroom for Baby”, Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine, Oct 2009, pg. 88
• ArtWanted Calendars, Photography April 7, Sci-Fi/Fantasy June 5, Landscape/Outdoor Jun 26, 2008
• Armstrong, AnnaMarie, Cardaddix Newsletter, ACEO Magazine, Mar 24, 2008
• Wright, Kate (Director), Express Art Gallery Calendar, Express Art Gallery, 2008
• Bassett, Terry, ACEO Collectors Calendar, 2008
• ArtWanted Sci-Fi & Fantasy Calendar, Jun 2, 2007
• Taylor, Angela, ACEO Magazine, Cover, 2007

Publications as Author:

• “An Immigrant’s View of the Tattoo”, Muchmor Magazine, Dec 2009
• “New to Watercolour Pencils”, ACEO Magazine, Jun 2008

Design:

• 2013 – QR CODE ID, “Dragonfly Girl” T-Shirts for Autistic/Non-verbal persons
• 2010 – Sangria Music Duo CD cover and insert
• 2008 – Poster design for the Autism Artism show, KindTree Productions, Eugene, OR

Licensing Contracts:

• The PSP Project, Tubes and Tags
• MistyDreamz, Cross Stitch Patterns
• KindTree Publications, Prints, Cards

Photography:

• 2009-2015 – Media Photographer, Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo

Memberships:

• Enchanted Visions

Awards and Grants:

• 2012 – KindTree Productions Artist Grant
• 2012 – Nov Daniel Smith Watercolour Competition
• 2011 – KindTree Productions Artist Grant
• 2010 – KindTree Productions Artist Grant
• 2006 – Aug World of Froud, Froudian Artist Award (Brian Froud, Fantasy Artist)

Works held in private collections in Canada, USA, Germany, Belgium, France, Australia, Mexico and UK.