Biography
Nancy (Prator) Hollinghurst grew up in Atlanta, Georgia where her childhood was spent nurturing a natural artistic gift through a variety of art classes. With the support of family and teachers, Nancy made the move to New York City to pursue her art career while earning a BFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. Following graduation, she returned to the South where she continued to refine her artistic skills and create a successful living painting portraits and murals in Charlotte, North Carolina.
A client, who was eager to support the arts through the tradition of patronage, recognized Nancy’s natural and emergent talent as an artist. As a result, Nancy embarked on a four-month, once-in-a-lifetime “Grand Tour” of Europe for a complete study of, and immersion in, the world’s most notable and inspirational art. The tour of Europe opened Nancy’s eyes to a wealth of new possibilities, ideas, and inspiration. Upon returning home, she found herself yearning for more technical training, and once again returned to New York to continue her education. Nancy earned an MFA from the New York Academy of Art where she focused on technical training in Anatomy and Figurative Painting.
In the years following her MFA studies and graduation, Nancy has married and advanced her scope of work and intrigue to include landscapes and other natural elements reflective of her environment.
"I will always be fascinated by the challenges that painting the human figure provides, but lately I’ve been drawn towards the natural environment. Maybe because of the stresses of living in the city, I’m seeking the peace and perspective intrinsic to a more natural landscape."
Nancy has also recently opened Pratorhurst Studios, which currently offers portraits, landscapes, murals, and commissioned pieces of all kinds.