Nancy was one of the most exquisitely refined people I've ever known....her understanding of the world via every kind of sensory perception was astonishing. She was so beautiful and gentle....
In my study, next to my desk, is a wonderful drawing of a foot that she did some time ago. I've never seen anything in any drawing like the detail in this one ....every pore visible. A glorification of the body and of the eye capable of understanding it (and everything she drew) to this degree.
Every day at my desk, I see this beautiful reminder of Nancy. I loved her. - Erica Clark
Dearest n.r.
You would have been 70 today. I think I met you when you were 29. I was amazed the moment I first saw you when you walked into Pierre’s painting class. You were wearing a full length fitted black dress—did it have a blackish green ruffle at the hem? Your hair was pulled back tightly into a long braid with a gelled curl at your temple. Your eye makeup was from ancient Egypt.
Was that also the first time I noticed the perfect shape of your head?
If I had known then as a 19-year-old Orange County girl that you would become my dearest friend, I would have been astounded.
I can’t remember who said it when we were all first mourning the sudden loss of you, “I’ll never know someone like her again”.
How often over the years I would find your little notes and drawings on my doorstep or in my mailbox—sent to me from Paris or India or Vietnam or just Los Angeles. I kept them all. How I cherish these mementos of you, with your tiny handwriting and little smears of lipstick, yet how, after these three months, I can hardly bear to look at them.
Your eye was absolutely the best; your style, consummate; your drawing hand, so deft; your commitment to your art, unwavering; your impact as a teacher, indelible; your loyalty and generosity to me as a friend, immense.
I miss you today, on your birthday, as I have every day since you left us and as I will every day that follows.
xx Cyn
I was friends with Nancy in the mid to late seventies and remember her with great love and respect. I met her through a group of Los Angeles creatives who shared a love of art, music and photography. Nancy was producing charcoal and mixed media art at the time and I asked her to bring samples of her work to my home so I could consider acquiring some. Among her many wonderful pieces were two that really spoke to me. One is of three seated women in long skirts and heels, nude from the waste up. In the center is a scrap of a vintage post card from Brussels with the words Cherie Mon Amour. The other depicts three identical but different colored heads in a row all turned to the left that appeared to be heads of babies, but now that I look at them again I realize they look very much like Nancy, later in life with her starkly pulled back black hair. I have always been proud to have these early works of Nancy's and I cherish them more than ever now that she is gone. My condolences to her friends and family. - Patricia Ferry
It is with great warmth and respect that I remember Nancy. - Cary Ocon
I hope this finds you all well. These last weeks have been a daunting time for all of us, but, today is Nancy's birthday, and I 'd like to share my memory of how I met Nancy with you. It was the summer of 1995. I was working with A.R.T. Press on Wilshire Boulevard at the time and we had just opened a gallery at the end of the hallway behind my bookstore. I had proposed to curate an exhibition entitled "Beauty" at that gallery for the fall of 1995 and we made an announcement to that extent to the LA art community. Soon after that I got a call from Nancy who was interested in participating in this show, and it was but a few days later when we met for the first time to talk about the show.
The reason this burned itself into my memory was this: I was very exited about the show and discussed the topic at any chance I got. To my great surprise, I had to realized quickly that the subject matter was far more divisive than I had anticipated. Actually, it hit me like a hammer when finding myself in arguments on the subject over and over again, having troubles to accept that everybody apparently was an expert on the subject, no matter how simple, or educated their approach of the matter was. I will admit, the details of these debates and arguments have escaped me, however, I do remember that Nancy was one of the very few people I met during that time who didn't create the slightest discord between us when discussing the subject matter. Well, as many of you know, she had such a sure sense of beauty and aesthetics, she was a natural one could say. As for the 1995 exhibition, it became a two artist show with her and the work of Kevin King. I know, I am lucky to have been a friend of hers through all these years, with many of those beautiful experiences enlightening our hearts and discourse; and I will miss her.
Nancy's sudden passing on January 5th of this year was a shock to me, and I am grateful to Kristine Upesleja, Cynthia Carlson, Tiemo Mehner, and my friend Marjam Oskoui, who helped soften the blow. And I am confident that our desire, along with that of other friends of Nancy, to create a meaningful, beautiful and dignified monument, honoring Nancy's life and work, will come to fruition once we all have weathered the storm of the challenge we and the whole world is now confronted with.
Rest in peace Nancy,
Always with love, Hans
My name is Mary and I had the privilege of meeting Nancy less than a year ago.
Nancy was my daughter Katie’s teacher for Fashion Illustration at Art Center College of Design. The first day of Nancy’s class, Katie called to share her excitement for this class and the amazing instructor. Katie’s enthusiasm and love of the class and Nancy grew into a profound friendship and admiration. Nancy became Katie’s mentor and guide.
Katie would always say “Mom you have to meet Nancy, you will love her” which led to me watching Nancy’s online tutorials. I would watch in awe, her fluid and graceful hands create such beautiful designs. There was such a sincerity and beauty in her voice, her movement and her art. I was and remain in awe of this amazingly talented and strong woman.
When the time came to actually meet Nancy, as she had arranged to do a show of Katie’s work at her studio, I was terrified. I had nothing in common with this exceptional woman, except Katie. My fears were unwarranted. Nancy was warm, welcoming, kind and generous beyond belief. Her studio was an extension of her and she graciously shared this intimate space with Katie and our family. The space, like Nancy, was extraordinarily beautiful and calm. A place so special you would never forget it or Nancy.
I especially loved seeing first hand the beautiful relationship Katie and Nancy shared. I thought how fortunate Katie was to have such a great mentor and friend. That weekend is forever etched in my heart. I am grateful for everything Nancy did and shared with Katie. I also feel blessed to have met Nancy and been touched by her kindness and beauty.
So, when we heard the shocking news of her passing it broke my heart (and Katie’s) I felt not only Katie’s great loss, but that the world had lost someone special as well. On behalf of Katie and our family I extend our deepest sympathy to David and all those who are missing their beloved Nancy.
May the beauty and grace Nancy brought to everything she created and to everyone she taught, loved and touched live on forever.
Nancy you are missed.
With love and admiration,
Mary Carone and Family
Nancy, I was told you passed from a good friend who met you as a student like I did in 1991 at FIDM. You were the best teacher and a wonderful mentor. I loved our private lessons, you gave me the ability to be a great illustrator. When I came back as adjunct faculty after my masters degree and a decade of fashion/costume design behind me, you took me by the hand and taught me how to be an effective instructor in my courses, even giving me a few of her classes in fashion illustration. I always enjoyed meeting up with you by chance after I left FIDM to raise my two boys. I never imagined I would never see you again on this Earth. I will never forget you...oh and yes, I am practicing my illustration. Love you, Jenny Chapman-Walters
Nancy Riegelman taught many designers how to sketch their own style....only better. I have to be honest, my sketches were somewhat awful before I had the luxury of being in her class. Other teachers literally snickered when they saw my work. When I first met Riegelman, I was mesmerized that fashion sketches could be so beautiful. She made it look so easy. She actually guided me, and told me I could do better. By the time I was in my final semester, teachers were passing my sketches around in awe. This is how much better I became and it is thanks to her. My first really good sketch was one of our final assignments in her class. It was our rendition of a white wedding gown. Someone famous had attended our class that day, and they both took one look at it and literally said "WOW!" I will never forget this day, as she later pulled me aside and told me "Shevon, you are special." Whenever I doubt myself I hear those words. It proves that someone having faith in you can push you to do things you did not know you could do. I think of her often and had tried to reach out a few times. I am so saddened to hear this news. Her books have a special place in my library....and I have collected them all. To her family and those close to her, you are very lucky to have met this Angel. xoxoxo forever, SHEVON PATEL
She was my illustration instructor Class of 1993. A FABULOUS woman with a light all her own.. im grateful to have experienced her gift. Nancy Riegelman will forever live through our art ❤ Ryan Cox
Miss you forever. Nancy, I was told you passed from a good friend who met you as a student like I did in 1991 at FIDM. You were the best teacher and a wonderful mentor. I loved our private lessons, you gave me the ability to be a great illustrator. When I came back as adjunct faculty after my masters degree and a decade of fashion/costume design behind me, you took me by the hand and taught me how to be an effective instructor in my courses, even giving me a few of her classes in fashion illustration. I always enjoyed meeting up with you by chance after I left FIDM to raise my two boys. I never imagined I would never see you again on this Earth. I will never forget you...oh and yes, I am practicing my illustration. Love you, Jenny Chapman-Walters - Jennifer Walters
Please let me know about any type of Memorial Gathering. I learned of Nancy’s death when coming to her Facebook page to send a congratulatory message for her birthday. I’m feeling such a loss; Nancy has been a special friend since our Freshman year at UC in1966! - Joyce Konigsberg
I was a student of yours in 2011 in Los Angeles. Yous sense of style and artistry kept me inspired during a really tough period in my life. The way you carried yourself in the halls, crossing a sidewalk, or teaching all of us was profound. I found your site just now on June 09.2020. Hoping to let you know you are remembered. Only to my surprise, you're not here anymore. Thank you for sharing your life with those of us who were so lucky to have crossed paths with you. - Elle Miza
Ms Riegelman was my teacher. It could seem insignificant but she was my favorite teacher, the best I've ever had. She wrote me a recommendation letter and to this day her words still bring me to tears, I couldn't have dreamed of a better gift from her. I never met someone so talented, I admired her so much and what she think meant the world to me. She wasn't only the best teacher, she was also the kindest human being on earth. I only see her smile when I remember her. Meeting her was a huge honor, and learning from her was one of the biggest blessing I have ever received. I don't know if she realized how many lives she changed. I will always cherish her memory and the drawings of her that I keep preciously. Please inform me when you'll do the celebration, I would love to be part of it. Thank you -Amandine Garcia
I would have liked to have been able to talk to her more; she was a great designer and artist and I know she moved her students greatly. I loved her topiary drawings. - ellen huang
I live and work in the Midwest, graduated from FIDM in 2007, and work in the bridal industry. I have a team of nine and one of the team member's noticed a customer's nice sketch and said, "They must have been trained in the 9 Heads method!" And I immediately said, "I was taught by the author of 9 Heads!" That took me down the rabbit hole of finding out what Nancy was up to these days. I was so sad to hear about her sudden passing. 2020 is just the worst. When I was in her drawing courses, I had just moved from Kansas to LA. She offered to take me in for Thanksgiving if I didn't have anywhere to go. She was unlike any other - I just loved her class. Being in her presence just felt great, she had such a kind spirit and soft humor. I will never forget her and I love that she came up in conversation today. I am going to save the grading sheet with her writing on it always. Meredith
Dear Nancy, There will never be another one like you, full of grace and refinement, kind and giving. An elegance and quiet unlike others. I'm grateful for our friendship, working with you, co-writing with you, and teaching during our time at FIDM. It's been one year since your passing from this world, but my memories of you remain in my heart. xo Helene