Born in Bronx, New York, I completed Bronx High School of Science at age 15 and received a scholarship from the College of New Rochelle to study painting and sculpture. In 1977, I moved to San Francisco, where I've continued to paint and exhibit nationally in solo and group shows.

I have lived in Europe and Thailand, traveled  throughout the U.S., Mexico, Central America, Southeast Asia, India and Nepal, all of which served to develop my painting style and sharpen my understanding of the cultural and spiritual diversity of the world landscape. Having experienced the harsh side of urban life, I'm moved to paint society from my imagination, juxtaposing characters in ordinary situations.  I often tackle difficult issues while incorporating humor and adding the third dimension (sculpture and found objects on canvas). I have come to realize that art is truly a universal language.

After 20 years of serious art-making, I know that I must create to feel whole.  And everyday, when I take the brush to canvas, although I am confronted with fear and insecurity, I also tap into a limitless source of imagery.  When I'm fortunate, time falls away and it seems that the work is creating itself.

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"When I first saw Nancy Calef's paintings I thought, 'Now here's an original idea.' As a traditional, old workhorse I don't have much use for and don't believe in classifying contemporary art. I do think a picture should say something and Nancy's subject matter and palette express a view of the world beyond her years."
Jack Levine-- former President of the American Academy of Arts and Letters

“Brueghel meets the underground stylings of artists like Spain and S. Clay Wilson in the
oil and mixed-media paintings of Nancy Calef, whose "peoplescapes" are on display at a cutting-edge North Beach gallery.”  SF Chronicle

"Nancy Calef creates "peoplescapes." With a nod to Richard Lindner, a glance toward Red Grooms and a wink at Jack Levine, Calef respects traditional artistic roots when she breaks the plane of the canvas with sculpture and found objects.

Calef's satiric eye views the planet from a unique perspective. The journey that began in the Bronx, was nurtured in the Far East and flourishes in North Beach, has influenced her style, exposing society's foibles with humor - a thread of tolerance in this complicated world."
George Krevsky-- Owner, George Krevsky Gallery, San Francisco, CA

"Her Peoplescapes are a must-see!" Nicole Meoli -- Where Magazine

"Now, this is art with an attitude!"  Former Mayor of San Francisco, Willie Brown