Nancy Cuervo was born in Hoboken, NJ to Colombian parents. She comes from a family of artists and artisans. Her grandfather was a self-educated architect and painter. Nancy's mother learned her skills as a seamstress and a tailor from a strict grandmother who tailored uniforms for the Medellín police force. Nancy's sister is a head fashion designer at a prominent label.

Growing up, Nancy knew that she would find a career in the arts. She began in the fine arts, showing her paintings with independent curator Kenny Schacter and at Artist's Space. For several years after that she was a professional swing dancer, performing with Wynton Marsalis, Natalie Merchant and as part of a touring musical theater production.

And then she came back to the visual arts as an illustrator.

Nancy is inspired by people, their faces, their dress and various shapes and sizes. She is also inspired by artisanal crafts like knitting and bread baking.

Nancy loves Saul Steinberg for his wit, Hiroshige for his color, Philip Guston for his mood and Walton Ford for his boldness.

She lives in Sunset Park, Brooklyn with her husband, Eric. They are perpetually looking for a hypo-allergenic puppy.