Posted by Nancy Tobin on Jan 12, 2010 in
Daily Babble,
News,
Ta Da! 
Forest Fog ©2009 Nancy Tobin
I don’t know what’s got my head in a fog these past few days: Maybe it’s the after-winter-holiday blues, or maybe it’s the slowdown of my normally crazy schedule.
Whatever it is, I know it won’t last. I can’t stand standing still for too long. But for now — today — I’m recharging. I’m taking time to check in with favorite Web sites and blogs. I’m looking at pictures. I’m reading stories. I’m watching Hulu. I even made a tiny bear with my daughter!
Tomorrow, I’ll paint.
Tags: bears, Hulu
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Dec 31, 2009 in
Daily Babble,
New In the Shop,
News,
Shop Talk,
Ta Da! 
Peek III ©2009
I recently finished a new painting; Peek III. It’s 24 inches by 24 inches.
This painting — like the others in the Peek series — is one I’m especially fond of. I think there is something so magical about “the peek”; that moment when you pull back the curtain, the branches, the seaweed … to discover a world that’s new and wonderful.
For the moment, Peek III is happily residing at a very special gallery in New York: Elisa Tucci.
I wanted to take the image a bit further, so I created a limited-edition artwork featuring a snippet of the painting, titled Peace Walk 2009. I thought the new year was the perfect time to introduce the painting and the edition! If you’re interested in the painting, contact Lisa Cooper at Elisa Tucci. If you’re interested in the edition, good news: You can find it on sale at my Etsy shop!
Here’s more info on Peace Walk 2009:
Peace Walk 2009
Limited-Edition Mixed-Media Print
Peace Walk 2009 is an edition limited to 100.
The process behind this print combines many of the
techniques I use in my painting.
The first layer is an archival inkjet print that is laminated
to a panel. Several layers of acrylic medium are added to enhance the surface.
Every print is then silk-screened in two different colors,
each separated by several layers of medium. Hand painting is added to give each piece another layer of detail and additional depth.
A final coat of medium, a signature and date complete each work.
Peace Walk 2009 - Limited Edition Artwork
Each artwork in the edition comes with a black, Shaker-style easel for display.
Tags: Elisa Tucci, Etsy, Lisa Cooper, New Year, Peace Walk 2009, Peek III
Calcifer, mixed media on panel, 10 x 10 inches ©2009
I really have been up to things, while ignoring my beloved blog. Painting, jewelry making, painting, shows, painting, sales, painting and painting.
So, as proof of the “painting” part — I present these three little gems; Calcifer, Glowlightly and Razz.
These brand-spanking-new paintings are available as prints in my Etsy shop, just in time to warm up your holidays!
Glowlightly, mixed media on panel, 12 x 12 inches ©2009
Razz, mixed media on panel, 12 x 12 inches ©2009
Tags: Calcifer, Etsy, Glowlightly, Holidays, painting, Razz
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Sep 15, 2009 in
Daily Babble
Here’s a list of times and events when I will be at Peaches:
9/23 – 3 to 5pm: Meet the Artist/Free Poster Signing
9/24 – 3 to 7pm: Meet the Artist/Free Poster Signing
9/25 – 3 to 5pm: Meet the Artist/Free Poster Signing
9/26 – 3 to 8pm: Gala Reception for all 8 Artists at Peaches
9/27 – 12 to 6pm: Demo Day! Come enjoy a festive day of artist led activities, demos and talks with all 8 artists showing at Peaches:
Running With Scissors – Instant Art: Pick a sheet of hand-painted paper, and I’ll cut it into a fanciful shape for you to take home!
Here’s a list of all the ArtPrize events at Peaches:
9/23, 3-9pm
Artists Up-Close: Meet and chat with the artists.
9/24, 3-9pm
Artists Up-Close: Meet and chat with the artists.
9/25, 3-9pm
Artists Up-Close: Meet and chat with the artists.
9/26, 3-8pm
Gala Artists’ Reception
Join all the artists for this festive event, featuring delicious food and wine!
9/27, 12-6pm
Heartside Neighborhood Days
Art Demonstrations & Workshops:
Bring your family for a day filled with artist-led activities.
Painting with Damsels: Sarah Weber, Kathleen Kalinowski, Bold Strokes for Art, Sue Visker
Paper cutting workshop with Mary Gaynier,
Instant Art! with Nancy Tobin
Smithing on an active forge with Dragons Anthony Jackson & Joel Sanderson.
Featuring tasty samples from Big Bore BBQ!
Mon – Weds, 9/28 – 30
Artists Up-Close: Meet and chat with the artists.
9/28, 3-9pm
Snowflakes in September: paper-cutting workshops hourly with Mary Gaynier
10/3 Heartside Neighborhood Days
Sat & Sun, 10/3-4, 12-6pm
Heritage Hill Home Tour (extra charge for other houses)
Peaches Hours: Monday — Thursday: 3-9pm, Friday & Saturday: 12-10pm, Sunday: 12-6pm.
Tags: Kalle Demos, Peaches
Posted by Nancy Tobin on Sep 4, 2009 in
Daily Babble,
In the Studio 
Fun with layers: 1.painting, 2.many cut out branches, 3.the tracing paper drawing of the branches
The very monotonous process of cutting these suckers out
Don't even get me started with Photoshop filters!
More fun with Photoshop
It never fails. Just when you’re busy with all sorts of stuff that you should be posting on daily, you don’t because you’re too busy doing cool stuff!
My family and I just got back from a vacation at Walt Disney World, the kids just started school, I’m trying to finish a studio full of paintings for myriad show coming up this fall and now I’m headed off to Boston for the long weekend.
So, I thought I’d leave you with a few shots that I took in my studio recently. I’ve been doing a lot with branch forms, and I thought they made such lovely designs when they were all stacked on top of each other.
Have a wonderful weekend, and I promise — next week many posts!
xo
Tags: Boston, branches, studio
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.
