Nancy McElligott’s Macramé art is inspired by her passion in textile, home decor, architecture designs, vintage style and modern art. She leans on nature, architectural lines and her experiences as a child to drive her creativity. She grew up in the tropical forests of the Southern Philippines, amongst the pigs and the chickens where time didn’t matter, whether it was playing down by the crystal-clear waters of nearby streams, swimming in the sandy-white beaches or taking a quiet stroll amidst the mangroves. This freedom and her free-spirited childhood inspires all aspects of her art to this day.
Nancy is a self-taught artist, alone she feels at ease to explore her creativity into developing her own design. Her style is unique adopting a harmonous vibe, soft clean lines and fused with traditional influences. Her collection of work predominantly includes the use of raw cotton materials such as cords, strings and thick chunky ropes, and fair trade wool. She hangs her pieces on raw brass/copper rods, wood dowels and beautiful driftwood she finds when combing the Pacific Northwest coastal beaches.
Macramé has taught her to let go, step into the day with purpose and go for it. She believes we are all artists, and we simply need to find the medium through which we can express ourselves. She thrives off of sharing her love of macramé with her community. She has participated in events such as the Crafty Wonderland Arts And Crafts Market, The First Thursday Art Show in the Pearl District, local street fairs and leading macramé classes.
Nancy lives in Portland, Oregon with her two active boys and a husband who has supported her in all her work. She spends her spare time with family and friends on the Oregon Coast, hiking along the Columbia River Gorge and yoga with the girls.
KNOTS ARE ENDLESS
The first collection I created were large wall hangings and that did not stop me. New works come from getting lost in the moment working with fibers and allowing it to guide me, in variations of knotting, repeating pattern and seeing how it slowly creates a form.
I have a special place for macrame, summoning the senses in the process of exploration when knotting, twining and weaving. It’s been humbling and sometimes emotional to the point of tearing-up when collaborating on designing custom-pieces. I recently had this honor, when I was asked by an amazing couple to design a piece for each of their very close friends attending their tight-knit wedding ceremony. Each piece was customized to align with their story and reflection on who they are.