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Nancy Bailey
Nancy Bailey was born in England in 1913. While still in her teens she took photographs with her fathers' homemade camera and produced picture postcards which sold throughout the country. After several moves around the West country and the South of England, the family moved to Ireland, to Enniskillen initially, then to Oranmore, Co. Galway.Here she began to make marquetry pictures. Dr. Michael Coughlan, who worked for her as a kind of apprentice remembers the machines were on the ground floor of the house the lathes on the right hand side and the jigsaws on the left. There were a number of large presses she used for a process, and various varnishes and "vapours" (which used to make Michael high) which she used for finishing.
She also had a shellcraft business. She sold her product in Glynns & Kennys in Galway and in various upmarket locations throughout Ireland including Shannon Airport.
In 1963, she and her mother decided to move back to England. Nancy had decided she wanted to become a designer, and it was suggested she go to classes with David Sheppard. She did this and before long found herself paintings full time.
She has since earned a serious reputation for her rugged palette knife paintings, particularly of Cornwall. She is much acclaimed for her interpretations of the Cornish Coastline and river studies, capturing the endless variations of light, weather, tides and seasons of the year.
She still makes occasional journeys to the West of Ireland, revisiting old friends, and looking for new images. This enthusiasm and vitality, even at such an advanced age is reflected in her work.
Her latest exhibition of new work opened in May 2003 in St. Agnes, Cornwall just before the 90th birthday. She is still very productive. He work is very popular in Cornwall, and especially with Cornish expatriates.