Posted by Nancy Tobin on Jul 26, 2009 in
Check This Out,
Profiles 
Of all the wonderful things about writing my “West of Chelsea” feature for the New York Times Local blog, the best by far is the opportunity it affords me to get to know fascinating people right in my back yard.
The first time I met Walter Zimmerman was years ago at “Essex Exposed” — a juried exhibition at The Pierro Gallery in South Orange, N.J. (We both had work in the show.) I knew he was a kindred spirit the minute I met him; he had introduced himself, and he said how much he like my work — but the thing I remember most was his description of my work as “beautiful and just a little bit creepy.”
That is me in a nutshell. Most people either don’t see it or don’t mention it. (I mean the “creepy” part.)
It made sense that Walter would see the dark side to my work: I have no doubt that to many, the powerful assemblages he creates around his meticulously crafted glass pieces may seem “a little bit creepy.”
Don’t be afraid to take a closer look. Peek inside these mysterious networks and see the tireless work involved in finding beauty — against all odds.
Tags: Essex Exposed, New York Times, The Pierro Gallery, Walter Zimmerman, West of Chelsea
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Jul 24, 2009 in
Daily Babble,
Events & Happenings My dear family is about to embark on our annual pilgrimage to my old stomping grounds: Western Michigan. Off to spend a week basking in the glorious natural beauty of Lake Michigan and the love of my huge family.
We’ll be camping — my little nuclear family — and a sizable chunk of my six siblings, all their spouses, offspring and grandchildren. This has become a family tradition — camping for a week in the summer — and I’m looking forward to the fun and relaxation!
Another thing I plan to do while I’m in the Grand Rapids area, is scope out the ArtPrize excitement: I hope to get over to Peaches Bed and Breakfast to meet Jane Lovette the owner, and check out the space where I’ll be hanging my work. I’d also like to do a little reporting on the event for my feature in NY Times Local; I’d love to get a chance to ask folks there in the center of the ArtPrize buzz, “how does New Jersey fit into the bigger art world?”
The camper is hooked up, we’re packed up and it’s time to head out the door for the grueling 11 hours on the road.
Bye for now — I’ll keep in touch while on the road.
Tags: ArtPrize, Camping, Grand Rapids, Jane Lovette, Lake Michigan, Michigan, Peaches Bed and Breakfast
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Jul 21, 2009 in
Daily Babble,
News,
Ta Da! 
Splat @2009
Busy as I’ve been, it brings me great joy to be posting another new piece — just finished today!
Yay! Now I’m going to bed.
Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.
Tags: art, bed bugs
Never thought I'd be the same article with Rick DeVos!
After moving from my hometown of Grand Rapids Mich., I’ve finally made it to the front page of the Grand Rapids Press! (OK, OK it’s really the front page of the Entertainment Section — but gosh, still exciting.)
I spoke with Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk — Arts Writer at the Press — last week, about ArtPrize, my experience with securing a venue, and my view from the outside, looking in.
It’s a fun article — Mr. Kaczmarczyk likens the whole affair with securing a date for the prom — which makes me start worrying … what will I wear!
Tags: ArtPrize, Grand Rapids Michigan, Grand Rapids Press, Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk, Peaches Bed and Breakfast, Rick DeVos
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Jul 17, 2009 in
Daily Babble,
News,
Ta Da! 
Fresh out of the studio! Pink Isotopes © Nancy Tobin
It’s been a busy week.
Not a physical busy, more of a mental busy. There were several proposals for shows and grants due this week — of course, those things never seem to make it out the door until the last minute — along with juggling and planning for the three shows I have coming later this year. Mix in the fact that I want to keep up with my blog, the New York Times West of Chelsea interviews, my Etsy shop and painting (hello, that is what this is all about!), and I feel a little like my head is going to pop!
Just to prove (to myself, at least) that I am still a painter — I’m posting this brand new painting Pink Isotopes. Hope you enjoy the painting and the weekend!
xo
Tags: Etsy, New York Times, Pink Isotopes, West of Chelsea
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Jul 15, 2009 in
Daily Babble 
My new print, Aerobic Buzz, will be available in both the 8 x 10 and the 12 x 12 inch sizes
I’m buzzing with excitement over the newest print in my shop — Aerobic Buzz! A garden of earthly and unearthly delights!
This is what I see when I’m in the forest; peeking through the leaves, underwater… out in space.
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Jul 14, 2009 in
Check This Out,
Events & Happenings,
News,
Shows 
I’m goin’ home.
Grand Rapids, Michigan. Yep, I’m a MidWest girl — born and bred, and I’m going back to my roots to participate in what looks like the biggest art experiment ever — ArtPrize! Here’s how they explain it on their web site:
“At ArtPrize, any artist—from established to emerging—has the chance to show work. Any visitor can vote. The vote will determine who wins the largest art prize in the world. We also took the unusual step to allow people in the city to open a venue and choose the artists to show in their space. There is not one official curator or jury for the competition.
The number of venues is fluid, so the number of competing artists is fluid. The possibilities are wide open.”
And here’s the scoop:
- Top prize: $250,000
- Dates: September 23 – October 10
- Location: Grand Rapids, MI USA
- Winner is determined by public vote
- All attendees of the event can vote
- Top 10 entries will receive a prize
- Multiple artists can collaborate on an entry
- Artists may only submit one entry
- Property owners/renters in downtown Grand Rapids can become a venue
- Number of artists represented is only limited by number of venues that become available
Yesterday, I secured my venue; Peaches Bed and Breakfast. Should be interesting. So now, along with two other shows I have planned for this fall — I’ll be heading home to hopefully make a big splash at Peaches, see all of my family and participate in what looks like a grand delight!
Tags: ArtPrize, Grand Rapids, MI, Peaches Bed and Breakfast
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Jul 13, 2009 in
Events & Happenings,
News,
Shows 
Some shots of my booth & a lovely woman who bought a ring to match her dress!
I am tired so I’ll make this a short one.
MaplewoodStock was a huge success. I saw and visited with tons of old friends and new, made a fair amount of sales on my Art by the Inch Necklaces, and Rings and my new Posh Panel Prints, and did it all while listening to fine music and enjoying beautiful weather.
I still have to get my rings up on Etsy… promise to have them up by the end of the week.
L Craig Schoonmaker, a fellow blogger stopped by to say “hi.” We’ve chatted over the blog-o-sphere quite often about local art events — but never met. He’s posted some great shots of the event on his fotojournal blog: Newark USA, stop by his place to check them out!
Tags: Art-by-the-Inch, blogging, Etsy, L Craig Schoonmaker, MaplewoodStock, Necklaces, Newwark USA, Posh Panel Prints, rings
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Jul 9, 2009 in
Check This Out,
Events & Happenings,
News,
Shows
- One of the original works I’ll have on sale!
I’ve been up to my eyeballs in resin these past few days getting ready for the booth I’ll be running at MaplewoodStock this weekend.
Doing the booth was a last-minute decision based on the wonderful turnout at my Open Studio last month. So, along with my usual repertoire (painting, Etsy storekeeping, blog writing, and interviewing art people for the New York Times Local), I’ve added jeweler and magnet-maker!
- Magnets and Rings – Ready for service!
My goal was to have art that everyone can afford. The result of my labors is a range of goodies, from super-strong bubble magnets for $1 each, to a 40%-off sale on selected original artworks. And, of course, I’ll have tons of cute Art by the Inch Rings and Necklaces, too!
- Art by the Inch Necklaces
Here’s what you’ll find in my shop:
- Super-Strong Bubble Magnets
- Art by the Inch Rings and Necklaces
- Note-Card Sets
- Two-for-One Print Sale
- Posh Panel Prints
- Original Artworks at 40% off!
MaplewoodStock is a free arts and music festival that happens right here at Memorial Park in beautiful Maplewood, N.J. Among many other musicians playing this weekend will be Marshall Crenshaw and Jonathan Edwards. Come and enjoy this free event this Saturday, July 11, from noon to 10 p.m. and July 12 from noon to 8 p.m. And stop by my booth to say hi!
Tags: Art-by-the-Inch, Etsy, Jonathan Edwards, MaplewoodStock, Marshall Crenshaw, Memorial Park, New York Times Local
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Jul 4, 2009 in
Daily Babble
Firecracker ©Tobin
Of all the wonderful things about writing my “West of Chelsea” feature for the New York Times Local blog, the best by far is the opportunity it affords me to get to know fascinating people right in my back yard.
