Nancy Staub Laughlin has carved a unique path in the art world by blending pastels on paper with photography in her creative assemblages. Based in New Jersey, Nancy describes her work as an invitation to step into a vibrant realm of color, light, and texture—a dazzling interplay of nature and crafted brilliance.
At the heart of Nancy’s process is the creation of “stills,” carefully arranged compositions that she photographs. These photographs serve as both inspiration and a structural foundation for her art. In her latest series, Nancy takes this interplay a step further, integrating the photographs directly into her pastel works. The result is a fusion of mediums that offers a layered, dimensional experience to anyone viewing her art.
Nancy’s work isn’t just about creating art; it’s about crafting an immersive experience. Her assemblages combine the softness and depth of pastel with the sharp detail of photography. This combination creates pieces that feel both tangible and otherworldly. As she explains, these compositions unfold through a series of deliberate steps, each carefully executed to balance visual harmony with the energy of her chosen subject.
This approach allows Nancy to explore themes of contrast and coexistence—natural beauty versus the glimmer of the artificial, spontaneity balanced with meticulous design. Her works, such as The Transition of Spring and The Blossoming of Froth, demonstrate this balance. In The Transition of Spring, a 24×33 pastel on paper with mounted photographs, Nancy captures the fleeting vitality of the season while embedding her work with luminous details. Similarly, The Blossoming of Froth, a larger piece at 31×55, combines the delicacy of pastel strokes with a striking photographic element, making the viewer feel as if they’re witnessing a moment of nature in vivid high-definition.
Nancy’s use of light is a signature element in her art. Pastels, known for their ability to produce vibrant colors, become tools for creating radiant compositions that seem to glow. Paired with her photographic inclusions, the works feel alive, almost kinetic. Light reflects, refracts, and dances across her assemblages, drawing the eye into their layered depths.
Color also plays a central role in Nancy’s work. She often juxtaposes bold, vibrant hues with softer, muted tones, crafting pieces that pulse with energy while maintaining a sense of balance. The photographs embedded in her work add another layer to this dynamic, introducing textures and details that pastels alone cannot achieve.
One of the recurring themes in Nancy’s art is the tension between the organic and the artificial. She frequently draws inspiration from nature—flowers, leaves, and other elements of the natural world—but filters them through a lens of glamour and refinement. The result is a body of work that feels both familiar and fantastical, grounded yet transcendent.
Nancy’s ability to merge these elements stems from her deep understanding of composition. She knows when to let the photograph lead and when to allow the pastel to take center stage. This balance creates works that feel complete and cohesive, pulling the viewer into a world where opposites exist in perfect harmony.
For Nancy, art is not just about the act of creation; it’s about connection. Her assemblages are designed to draw people in, encouraging them to linger and explore. Every layer of her work reveals new details, from the textures of her pastel strokes to the intricate patterns captured in her photographs.
This immersive quality is intentional. Nancy wants her art to be a space where viewers can lose themselves, finding beauty not just in the finished piece but in the process it represents. Her work invites contemplation, offering a quiet moment of reflection in a world that often feels chaotic.
Nancy Staub Laughlin’s assemblages stand out not just for their technical skill but for the vision behind them. Her ability to blend pastels and photography into seamless compositions is impressive, but it’s her attention to detail and dedication to creating an emotional experience that truly sets her apart. Each piece is a testament to her artistic journey, a journey defined by experimentation, refinement, and an unwavering commitment to her craft.
Nancy’s work reminds us that art can be more than an object to admire—it can be a space to inhabit, a world to explore. Through her assemblages, she offers a window into her radiant universe, inviting us to step inside and experience the interplay of light, color, and dimension in a way that feels both intimate and expansive. Whether it’s the blossoming vitality of spring or the frothy exuberance of nature’s textures, Nancy’s art captures moments that linger long after the viewer has stepped away.
