ABOUT

 

About Nancy Falconi

I believe creativity is not something we “take up” later in life it’s something we return to.

My work sits at the intersection of art, nature, creativity, and wellbeing, shaped by a journey that has unfolded over many years — from corporate Human Resources, to professional photography, to teaching creativity as a pathway to a more authentic, present life.

A Creative Thread That Never Left

(self portrait 5 years old)

As a child, I loved photographing my sisters and friends  posing them, dressing them up, and creating little scenes whenever I had the chance. I didn’t have my own camera and had to borrow one, but in those moments I felt pure joy and playfulness. Like many adults, that creative part of me went quiet for a time.

(“Photoshoot” with younger sister)

Because creativity was discouraged early on, I didn’t identify as an artist or photographer for most of my life. That early disconnection is something I carry with me into my teaching today, because it allows me to meet others exactly where they are especially those who believe they’re “not creative.”

For many years, I followed a practical path, building a career in Human Resources. I designed and delivered leadership programs, team-building initiatives, and learning experiences for universities, colleges, and organizations. While the work was meaningful, I felt there was a part of me that remained untapped.

After the birth of my first daughter, I bought my first SLR camera with no ambition beyond taking better photographs of her. On a whim, I enrolled in a two-hour weekly photography course at a local high school  a small, seemingly insignificant decision that quietly changed everything.

That class reignited a deep creative passion. I began photographing my daughters, then friends and their children, simply because I loved it. Acting on intuition rather than strategy, I printed a small promo card and sent it to a few parenting magazines. Shortly after, I received a call asking to license an image for a national magazine cover  my first paid assignment.

That moment taught me something I still believe deeply today:

when you take small, authentic steps toward what you love, unexpected doors open.

From HR to Artist and the Integration of Both

Before fully stepping into the arts, I spent over 20 years working in Human Resources, education, and leadership development, designing and delivering training programs and team-based initiatives for global organizations. I saw firsthand the effects of stress, disconnection, and burnout  and the quiet hunger people have for meaning, creativity, and presence.

Photography and art became the bridge.

(First editorial assignment )

What began as a creative outlet evolved into a professional career as a fine art photographer and mixed media artist, and eventually into my work as an educator and facilitator. I documented this personal transformation in my early writing and teaching, including my work Unlocking Creativity, where I outline simple, accessible steps anyone can take to reconnect with their creative potential.

Today, my work integrates everything I’ve learned  from HR and leadership to art, mindfulness, and wellness into experiences that support both personal and collective wellbeing.

Art Rooted in Nature and Presence

My artwork is deeply inspired by the natural world and the interconnectedness of all life. Over time, a clear theme emerged in my photography and mixed media work: the relationships we have with ourselves, with each other, and with nature.

Animals play a central role in my art not simply as subjects, but as teachers and guides. A pivotal trip to Africa profoundly shaped my work, particularly my Elephants Up Close collection. Observing elephants in their matriarchal herds revealed a grounded, feminine wisdom that continues to inform my creative practice.

One unforgettable moment occurred in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater, when an elephant approached so closely that the only image I could capture was its eye. In that brief exchange, I felt a powerful invitation to look inward rather than outward  a message that remains embedded in my work today.

In the studio, I combine photography with encaustic wax, acrylics, charcoal, and other fine art mediums to create layered, tactile pieces that honour the essence of each subject. My work has been exhibited in galleries and art fairs and is held in private collections. In 2019, I completed an Artist Residency with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority and the York Region Arts Council at the Kortright Centre.

Teaching Creativity as Wellness

Alongside my studio practice, teaching has always been central to my work.

I design and lead art-based programs, workshops, and courses for individuals, communities, and organizations  grounded in the belief that creativity is a powerful tool for emotional regulation, stress reduction, and wellbeing.

I work with:

• Individuals seeking creative reconnection
• Community groups and adult learners
• Corporate teams and organizations through Lunch & Learns, retreats, and creativity-based wellness programs

My approach is process-based, accessible, and non-judgmental. Participants are not learning how to “be artists”  they are learning how to slow down, engage differently, and reconnect with themselves through creative practice.

My Iyengar Yoga teacher training continues to deepen this work, allowing me to integrate mindfulness, breathwork, and nervous system regulation into my teaching.

The Creative Heart™ Membership

The Creative Heart™ Membership grew directly out of my own journey and out of years of teaching people who believed they were “not creative.”

The projects are rooted in everyday life, using photographs taken on cell phones as inspiration. The membership is designed to make creativity accessible for those who don’t draw, don’t have an art school background, or believe they “can’t make art.”

Through photography-based art, mixed media projects, and journaling, members build a sustainable creative practice based on the images they capture in daily life. Inspired by the traditions of many artists, we use ordinary moments as creative fuel. At its core, the membership is about building an artistic legacy rooted in who you truly are.

Experience & Recognition

My photographic work has been featured in publications including Entrepreneur Magazine, Yoga Journal, Organic Gardening, Today’s Parent, and Canadian Living, among others. I joined Getty Images as a contributing photographer in 2006, with work published in international commercial campaigns for organizations including Purina, Yahoo, Discovery, McGraw Hill, Scholastic, Google, NBC Entertainment, and more.

My creative and educational work has been featured in municipal, gallery, and community settings across the Greater Toronto Area. I am also a contributing author to the Amazon bestseller Breakthrough! Inspirational Strategies for an Audaciously Authentic Life, where I share my journey from HR professional to artist and educator.

Why I Do This Work

Everything I offer  my art, my teaching, my corporate programs, and the Creative Heart™ Membership is rooted in one belief:

Creativity helps us live more authentic, connected, and resilient lives.

Whether you’re here to collect art, explore your creativity, join a membership, or bring creative wellness into your workplace  welcome.

Namaste.