I haven’t written.

I’ve hardly even visited, except for the times I’ve quickly peeked in, been disgusted with myself for the lapse in posts, and quickly scurried away with my tail between my legs.

Not this time. This time I’m sticking to my seat until I’ve pressed the “Publish” button.

I’ve been busy and have all sorts of news to talk about. (Who wouldn’t after a half-a-year?) I’ve got so much and I don’t want to bore you,  so here’s a quick rundown of the things I’m doing or have done since the last blog post. Hopefully I will continue down this road to righteousness.

• That SOMA Studio Tour was great. Nice to see everyone and to have a clean studio for a day or two.
• I started a new business — Nancy Jean Home! Featuring work from my alter ego, my new shop on Etsy offers “Good Old-Fashioned Artwork for your Modern Home.”
  Come by this weekend for my big Black Friday Sale — every painting in the shop will be 20% off! Just add coupon code: BLACKFRIDAY2010 when you check out.
• I’m now Co-Coordinator of Communications on Studio Montclair’s Board. Working alongside the multi-talented photographer Yvette Lucas.
• If you haven’t checked out SMI lately — you’re in for a treat — there have been many exciting changes to the organization, including two gorgeous new galleries. Catch up on all the latest news by checking out their brand-new Web site, designed by Yours Truly. (See? I have been busy!)
• We went camping in Michigan.
• I painted … a lot.
• I’m going to be in a show in Riverdale, N.Y. at Elisa Contemporary Art. The show starts Nov. 26 and runs through Jan. 12, 2011.
• I’m also going to be in GAS Gallery’s Holiday show — I’ll fill in more details soon.
• I’m having my annual BOGO Sale in my Etsy Print Shop for Black Friday weekend. Buy any print, same size, with your choice of image for FREE!
• I’m discontinuing my jewelry line. (Too darn busy.) So prices on jewelry in my shop are hot, hot, HOT! Check ‘em out!
• I updated my Web site with new work.

OK, now that we’re all caught up, I’ll close with some images of new work!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sweet Life I ©2010, 16 x 16

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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!

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