Nan Rumpf
Nan Rumpf is a water media artist and art instructor based in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with a professional career spanning over 30 years. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa and began her artistic journey later in life, initially learning to draw while raising her children. Her entry into visual art came through storytelling and dramatic arts workshops for children, which led her to create and illustrate her own book after realizing she needed original artwork to accompany her writing. Teaching herself drawing from library resources, she gradually built her foundation as a visual artist.
Her artistic practice centers on watercolor, where she explores experimental and textural techniques to create expressive, personal works. Over time, she expanded her practice to include Chinese brush painting and mixed media approaches that incorporate acrylics with watercolor. As an instructor, she has taught beginning and intermediate watercolor as well as experimental workshops through institutions such as the Concord Art Association and the Danforth Museum of Art, sharing her emphasis on adaptability, exploration, and creative process with students across Massachusetts communities.
Throughout her career, Rumpf has been widely recognized for both her teaching and artistic achievements. Her work has received multiple awards in juried exhibitions, and she was named among the top textural watercolorists by Watercolor Magazine in 2021. She has also served as a juror, lecturer, and workshop instructor for regional and national arts organizations, including an invitation from the Mid-Southern Watercolorists in Little Rock, Arkansas to jury an exhibition and lead a multi-day workshop. Her work continues to reflect a commitment to experimentation, lifelong learning, and the evolving possibilities of watercolor.
• University of Iowa - B.A.
• Wellesley Free Library (First Place Award)
• Art on the Common in Needham (First Place Award)
• The Clinton Art show (Best In Show)
• Post Road Art (First Place Award in the Abstract Show)
• The Wellesley Community Center (Margaret Fitzwilliam Award for Excellence in Watercolor)
• New England Watercolor Society Show in Cotuit (Woodruff Art Center Award)
• New England Watercolor Society
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to persistence and self-directed learning. I taught myself to draw using library resources, continued practicing despite early rejections, and consistently worked to refine and develop my illustration skills over time.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge and opportunity in my field right now is continuing to explore new techniques and finding new ways to express myself through art. I believe it is essential to remain open to experimentation, even when the outcome is uncertain. I am especially inspired by artists who are willing to try new approaches and occasionally disrupt their own creative patterns. This willingness to take risks is what keeps the work engaging and supports ongoing artistic growth.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Experimentation, adaptability, and lifelong learning are central to my work and personal life. I value the process of trying new approaches and staying open to unexpected outcomes, especially when materials or techniques evolve in ways that require adjustment. This flexibility allows me to grow continuously, both creatively and personally, while remaining receptive to new ideas and possibilities.
Locations
Concord Art Association
Wellesley, MA 02482