Nancy Hache is passionate, intense, fiercely compassionate, an amazing artist and gives back to her community! I’m not sure if I admire her artwork or her spirit more. No matter… she’s a force and if you appreciate original artwork consider Nancy’s creations. Nancy truly creates Art from her Heart and Soul! Recently as I admired her creativity I asked her if she could create something near and dear to my heart… she was so enthusiastic and we’re working that out. How exciting, stay tuned!
She and her husband, Brian, first started visiting La Cruz their first year when renting at Los Arroyos Verdes, in 2014. “Lupe [the owner of Los Arroyos Verde] graciously introduced us to the La Cruz Market, such a beautiful market. Then we absolutely loved evenings at Philos; the music was fantastic and we enjoyed many great times there. We really fell in love with the whole feel of La Cruz and the vibe here. La Cruz has such a musical heart that drew us in. The following year friends introduced us to Octopus Garden and Britannia pub and Ana Bananas; the way we felt when we were here, everyone knew each other, it was like old home week and it was obvious that everyone loved living here.”
Both raised in Ottawa, Ontario Canada, Nancy and Brian, they decided to move when they retired to beautiful British Columbia, to the small artistic town of Gibsons. “We loved living in BC escaping the cold heavy winters of Ontario, however, during that time we started to vacation in Bucerias and fell in love with Mexico and the idea of much more time here was calling to us.” Fast forward and now Brian and Nancy live a pretty laid back life here; Nancy told me “ My husband enjoys playing pickle ball and I like to volunteer and keep myself busy painting. I’m a professional artist so I’m always playing with acrylic paints, oil pastels and inks. This year I started volunteering with the Amigos de La Cruz Kids Club teaching art classes and offering the children the ability to play with acrylic paint; it is so beautiful to see what they create. I have also been part of the Baño Beautification project in Bucerias and volunteered to paint a mural on one of the Baños (bathrooms) by the beach. Having retired from the Ministry of Community and Social Services after 28 years teaching developmentally handicapped children and adults, this is quite the change!”
Consider joining Nancy at her Heart and Soul retreat at Villa Amor del Mar!
I asked Nancy “What do you consider a good year – art wise – and why? “For me, I never define my art by a good year because I’m not an artist purely for business, nor do I want to be. For me it is all about my heart and soul. What I am working on has to speak to me; art, creating… the art of creating is my passion. I paint what I see and feel, what speaks to me and pulls my heart and mind to work on it. When in my studio space, I am in another world. Just stepping into my studio allows me the ability to be fully immersed in the art of playing and creating. I see in my head what I am going to create and then put brush to paint and bring it to life. It’s all about the journey… this year I am extremely proud of myself, I was juried and accepted into an edition of ‘Studio Visit Magazine’ that goes out to curators and gallery’ists. Also, I have been juried and accepted into a one-month artist residency in Greece, which I’m especially looking forward to. The beauty of an artists residency is that it allows me time away from any interruptions to focus solely on my art or a new body of work.”
When I asked Nancy what inspires her; “I am inspired by where we live, by the beauty of Mexico, the genuine kindness of the people… the colours and sounds as I stroll through town, the woven fabrics I see throughout the markets. I love waking early, listening to the ocean kiss the shore, strolling the beach and sitting in the sand to do my morning meditation. I’m inspired by colour, movement and music; I cannot imagine a better place to live than here!”
As always I asked do you cook and if so what is your favorite recipe? “I love to cook and my favourite recipe is Snapper La Cruz… it is my version of fish Veracruz with a super easy secret ingredient; the choice of fresh fish and seafood we are so fortunate to have at the fish market here.”
Nancy’s fave cause is volunteering, teaching art at the Amigos Kids Club. She says, “It fills my heart with joy. I contacted Amigos and asked if they needed any volunteers to teach art; I am really thrilled to be helping out.”
Nancy likes the changes to La Cruz stating, “Change inevitably happens in every town and for the relatively few years we have been in La Cruz we have seen changes. I think probably the biggest change for the town was the new marina and I do believe that is a positive change. There is a beauty and appeal to the village feel of La Cruz and that combined with the people and the musical vibe is such a huge draw! We always recommend La Cruz as a beautiful place to live or vacation.”
Nancy’s most proud that she’s done a lot in her life and been through a lot, she told me “My greatest achievement is my son; he’s a beautiful kind and loving man and I am so proud of him!”
Both Nancy and I were thrilled when an article I wrote about her included one her pieces making the front cover of Vallarta’s only english speaking paper. Bravo Nancy!
When I asked Nancy if she had a favourite quote her answer was revealing. “This is interesting, but I have always believed everything happens for a reason. Years ago when I was living in Ottawa I walked by a shop and fell in love with two art prints, one by Diego Rivera and the other by Frida Kahlo… and I loved the colours. I wasn’t an artist then but they drew me in and I bought them and was mesmerized by the colour and simplicity of each one. We hung them in our home and my love for Mexico started to evolve… if anyone would have ever told me we would end up living here, experiencing Mexican life every day I would have said they were crazy… but I believe I put everything into action with those prints! My fave quote is by Frida Khalo:
“Feet, what do I need them for if I have wings to fly.”
Explore your Inner Goddess at Villa Amor del Mar! April 1st – 8th, 2020
