• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Help Desk
  • My Account

OPA - Oil Painters of America

Dedicated to the preservation of representational art

  • Home
  • About
    • Mission, Policies & Bylaws
    • Board of Directors
    • Presidential History
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • History
    • OPA Staff
    • Contact Us
  • Membership Services
    • Member Login
    • Membership Information
    • State & Province Distribution For Regionals
    • Update Member Information
    • Membership Directory
    • Contact Membership Department
  • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Online Showcase
    • Lunch and Learn
    • Virtual Museum Road Trip
    • Paint Outs
  • Resources
    • Brushstrokes Newsletters
    • Ship and Insure Info
    • Lunch & Learn Video Archives
    • Museum Road Trip Video Archives
  • Services
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Scholarships
    • Critique Services
    • Workshops
    • Have A HeART Humanitarian Award
  • Online Store
  • Awardees
  • Blog
    • OPA Guest Bloggers
    • Blogger’s Agreement (PDF)
    • Comment Policy
    • Advertisement Opportunities
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Forever in our Hearts

Oil Painters of America · Nov 21, 2023 · 7 Comments

OPA Says Goodbye to Master Signature Artist
Nancy S. Crookston
November 23, 1948 – November 17, 2023

It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share the news of Master Signature artist Nancy Seamons Crookston’s untimely passing last Friday, November 17, due to post-operative complications resulting from shoulder surgery. 

Nancy was a beautiful and talented soul who will always be remembered for her kindness, generous spirit, and exceptional artistic talent.  Her warm and friendly demeanor, coupled with her wealth of knowledge about art allowed her to connect with so many people throughout her life.

Nancy’s demonstration at the 2023 National

An avid supporter of OPA, Nancy was often called on to jury artwork, whether it be for a regional or national exhibition or to serve on the Master Signature selection committee.  She was always willing to share her expertise and was well-known for her giving nature and sage advice.  An integral part of the OPA family, Nancy and her husband Garr regularly attended OPA events, and Nancy was often called on to join a panel discussion, provide a painting demonstration, or give a critique.

Early on in her career, Nancy studied with renowned Russian artist Sergei Bongart, whom she often mused was quite direct and opinionated when it came to critiquing his students’ work. Nevertheless, her hard work and perseverance paid off, receiving OPA Master Signature status in 2002; an honor bestowed on a select group of distinguished artists. Throughout her career, Nancy would go on to win numerous awards, winning the Gold Medal at this year’s Western Regional Exhibition for her painting, “I’ll Show You How It’s Done”.

Gold Medal – Master Signature Division
2023 Western Regional
I’ll Show You How It’s Done
by Nancy S. Crookston OPAM
John Michael Carter OPAM and Nancy at this year’s Masters Show at Illume Gallery West

A proud wife and mother of five, Nancy often spoke lovingly about her children and grandchildren, who often modeled for her beautiful figurative paintings. Having moved from Utah to Alameda, California, in 2006, both Nancy and her husband Garr loved the vibrant art community found in the San Francisco Bay area. Her Facebook friends delighted in her regular posts depicting the people living in Alameda, and her whimsical morning breakfast sketches at the local diner became a fan favorite. 

OPA will forever cherish the fond memories we have of Nancy and will continue to be inspired by her amazing life and legacy. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Crookston family.

Gold Medal – Master Signature Division
2018 Salon Show
Shirley Temple No Ice
by Nancy S. Crookston OPAM
Gold Medal, Master Signature Division Eastern Regional OPA 2021 – 
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever by Nancy S. Crookston OPAM
Gold Medal, Master Signature Division National OPA 2014 – 
Spettro by Nancy S. Crookston OPAM
OPA group photo at the 2019 National Show at Illume Gallery
Trip to China
Nancy and Garr
Nancy S. Crookston
November 23, 1948 – November 17, 2023

Uncategorized

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laura Collins says

    November 21, 2023 at 10:31 am

    Beyond the kind of person Nancy’s friends among the OPA masters describe her as, I was always an associate member who knew her from her work, and her posting of it from which I learned so much. She was truly the epitomy of what an artist should be, generous and encouraging to artists like myself while she unceasingly turned out her beautiful paintings

    Reply
  2. Joe Gyurcsak says

    November 21, 2023 at 10:48 am

    My deepest condolences to the Crookston family, prayers for peace and fond memories to you all.

    Reply
  3. Dorothy Mellin says

    November 21, 2023 at 11:26 am

    As I write this, I have tears in my eyes, and a deep sadness upon hearing of the sudden death of Nancy. My husband and I always looked forward to the OPA convention and seeing Nancy and Garr there again.She always had a welcoming smile and sunny disposition. The world has lost a great talent and beautiful person.

    Reply
  4. Susan Blackwood says

    November 21, 2023 at 2:29 pm

    Our hearts are broken! Nancy was joy and light and love for all of us! Howard and I traveled to China with her and Gar… I will never forget the time with her, painting and touring!
    Thank you for this tribute!
    Susan Blackwood

    Reply
  5. Nancy Oppenheimer says

    November 21, 2023 at 3:04 pm

    Beautiful brilliant kind woman and magnificent artist. A treasure to behold. Even from afar. Sending condolences to Nancy’s family, friends, and all those she touched with her art and heart (both one and the same).

    Reply
  6. Rick Reinert says

    November 25, 2023 at 1:16 pm

    We have had the honour to represent Nancy and her extraordinary work these past years and had the opportunity to meet Nancy and Garr earlier this year. Such a lovely and giving person and incredible artist. Our deepest condolences to the family and friends.

    Reply
  7. Candy Galvan says

    November 26, 2023 at 1:20 am

    I’m so sad! I discovered this lovely lady first 6 or 7 years ago by seeing her whimsical restaurant chef sketches, then fell in love with her oil portraits, even visiting a gallery in Coronado to see some. I never met her in person and only knew her through social media, but her art revealed part of her. How fragile life is. We move from here to eternity in the blink of an eye. May you fly with God Nancy.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Snapshot of the Author

Oil Painters of America
Visit Author Website

Subscribe via E-mail

Featured

Search OPA Blog

Guest Blogger Schedule

To read author biographies, learn about past bloggers or submit an article for review, visit the OPA Guest Bloggers page.

OPA Blog Reference

Comment Policy
Advertisement Form
Blogger’s Agreement
Sitemap

Footer

  • Home
  • About
    • Mission, Policies & Bylaws
    • Board of Directors
    • Presidential History
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • History
    • OPA Staff
    • Contact Us
  • Membership Services
    • Member Login
    • Membership Information
    • State & Province Distribution For Regionals
    • Update Member Information
    • Membership Directory
    • Contact Membership Department
  • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Online Showcase
    • Lunch and Learn
    • Virtual Museum Road Trip
    • Paint Outs
  • Resources
    • Brushstrokes Newsletters
    • Ship and Insure Info
    • Lunch & Learn Video Archives
    • Museum Road Trip Video Archives
  • Services
    • Sponsorship Opportunities
    • Scholarships
    • Critique Services
    • Workshops
    • Have A HeART Humanitarian Award
  • Online Store
  • Awardees
  • Blog
    • OPA Guest Bloggers
    • Blogger’s Agreement (PDF)
    • Comment Policy
    • Advertisement Opportunities

© 2025 OPA - Oil Painters of America · Design by Steck Insights Web Design Logo