About the Artist

Nancy Falconi, Artist  

Ontario, Canada

In 2002 Nancy started her professional photography business.  It was a reunion with a long lost love that dates back to the photos she would take of her three younger sisters as a child.

 Her lifestyle images have been published in Entrepreneur Magazine, Yoga Journal, Organic Gardening, Canadian Living, Today’s Parent, Canadian Family, Parents, U of T Press, Purina and many more.  Her images have been represented by Getty Images since 2006.  

 Nancy’s work began to focus on relationships in the natural world. Her images of the natural world portray the interconnectedness of all.  

Her photographic work evolved after exploring numerous fine art mediums such as drawing, acrylic, watercolour at the Toronto School of Art and encaustic at R and F in New York.  She combines her photographic images with fine art painting mediums to create one of a kind paintings.  Her fine art work has been displayed in Art Galleries, Group and Solo exhibitions and is collected privately.

 

In 2019 she completed an Artist in Residency with the Toronto Region Conservation Authority and the York Region Art Council at the Kortright Center. 

Her story on the evolution of her “breakthrough” that led to her second career as a photographer is featured in the Amazon best selling book “Breakthrough! Inspirational Strategies for an Audaciously Authentic Life.”  She has shared her “life changing” programs with hundreds of clients at group events and teaching venues.

Her work inspires others to also seek a deeper connection with nature, creativity and themselves. 

  

 

THE HEART BEHIND THE ART 

Nancy Falconi’s transfer to wildlife work as a photographer and artist was sparked by a moment in an art gallery, where a piece of zebra art ignited an irresistible pull to visit Africa. While it was the zebra that initially captured her imagination, it was the elephants that left an indelible mark on her when she visited Africa.

On her first African safari, Nancy set out at sunrise and sunset each day, capturing over 5,000 images. Among them, the elephants stood out, not just for their sheer size, but for the profound sense of peace and presence they emanated. Their interactions within matriarchal herds, the tender bond between mother and child, and their ability to draw on primal instincts captivated her.

A pivotal moment occurred in Tanzania, at the Ngorongoro Crater, when two elephants emerged from the dense forest and slowly approached her stationary safari vehicle. As they came closer, Nancy was completely mesmerized, her camera capturing every step. One elephant, towering over her vehicle, came so near that she could only photograph its eye. In a breathtaking moment, the elephant opened its small, orange eye and looked directly at her—a gaze that felt like a transmission of wisdom, a reminder to look inward rather than outward. This encounter is  immortalized in her Elephants Up Close collection.

 

In a serendipitous twist, Nancy’s journey with zebras didn’t end with the gallery painting that first inspired her trip to Africa. One evening, while staying at a small lodge in the Serengeti, she experienced a surreal encounter. Lying in bed, Nancy heard a strange noise coming from just outside her window. Curiosity got the better of her, and she slowly peeled back the curtain, only to find herself face to face with a zebra. The animal was so close that if it weren’t for the window separating them, she could have reached out and touched it. This encounter left a lasting impression on Nancy, teaching her the importance of being true to oneself, even when the pressures of conforming to the herd are strong. The serendipity of this moment was not lost on her, reinforcing the significance zebras held in her life’s journey.

lodge in Serengeti, Africa zebra was standing right beside chair looking into the window. 

Nancy believes that animals are not just subjects to be photographed, but teachers and oracles, guiding us through life’s transitions and challenges. Her art is a conduit for the divine presence she experiences in the natural world, particularly through animals—not just those in Africa, but also those she encounters in her day-to-day life. Through her work, Nancy seeks to share the interconnectedness of all life and the innate wisdom animals offer to those willing to listen.

For Nancy, animals have become trusted allies, protectors, and companions, helping her—and through her art, others—find inner strength and a deeper connection with the world. Her paintings and photographs are more than visual art; they are a bridge to the wisdom, peace, and power that these magnificent creatures bring into our lives.