Take a Peek Beneath the Layers

This time of year is always sizzling with the start of the new “art season” — shows and openings around every corner.

In proper spirit, I’m joining fellow collage-obsessed artist Rachel Leibman in presenting almost 60 works that explore the art of collage and worlds created within the layers: Beneath the Layers. The show is hanging in the BrassWorks Gallery — a place that’s built quite a reputation in the Montclair area for hanging great shows and throwing great receptions!

I was delighted that Rachel asked me to do this show with her. Not only do we share a love for collage, but we both seem to create works that open worlds within worlds; the larger image is made up from minute details that beg you to take a closer look.

I love the way our works play off each other!

Don’t miss the reception on Friday, Sept. 23, 6-9pm at BrassWorks, 105 Grove Street, Montclair, NJ.

If you can’t make it to the opening, stop by from 9-5 Monday thru Friday — or give me a holler and I’ll meet you there!

Thank you Rachel Leibman for the fabulous photos!

Beneath the Layers

Sept 23 – Dec. 31, 2011
BrassWorks
105 Grove Street
Montclair, NJ

Reception: Friday, Sept. 23, 6-9pm

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Tags: Beneath the layers, BrassWorks on Grove, Collage, Montclair, Rachel Leibman

Fashion’s Night Out

See the New II

All the fashionistas were out in full regalia for the third annual fashion extravaganza that is Fashion’s Night Out.

As part of its festivities, Neiman Marcus in Short Hills, NJ, has started the tradition of inviting art collector (and ultra-stylish) Patricia Bell to curate a show. Last year she hung a selection from drool worthy photos from Claire Rosen — awesome!

This year, Pat dug into her vast collection to dress the walls appropriately for the occasion and (happily) choose two of my new works — “See the New II” and “See the New III.” The gala was Sept. 8, but the works are still up. Put on your best shoes and get up to the top floor to see the collection before it disappears!

See the New III

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Tags: Claire Rosen, Fashion's Night Out, fashionistas, Neiman Marcus in Short Hills, Patricia Bell

Holiday Happenings

Sweet Times Three — Sweet Life I, II & III ©2010

Tis the merriest (and busiest) time of the year! Come visit me as I unveil many new works at 2 of my favorite galleries!

Stop by Elisa Contemporary Art on December 12th, from 1 – 3pm in — beautiful Riverdale, New York — as I host an informal Meet the Artist event. I’ll have many new paintings to see in this 40 Under 4 exhibit! The gallery will be filled with incredible and affordable artwork from artists from around the world. The exhibit will run through January 16th with special Holiday Hours.

Elisa Contemporary Art
5622 Mosholu Avenue
Riverdale, New York 10471

Waiting Pool III ©2010

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Tags: 40 under 4, Elisa Contemporary Art, GAS Gallery and Studio, holiday shows, NY, Riverdale

Hello Stranger!

I’ve been bad.

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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Tags: Black Friday Sale, Elissa Contemporary Art, GAS Gallery, Nancy Jean Home, SOMA Studio Tour, Studio Montclair, Yvette Lucas

7 Reasons to Drop Everything and Go to the SOMA Studio Tours Next Sunday

Check out my article in the New York Times Local, and read about the upcoming Studio Tours.

I’m opening my doors and you’re invited!

Yours Truly at last year's open studio! photo by Micha Hamilton

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Tags: New York Times, Studio Tours

Pierro Downtown at Stony’s!

Rio, one of the six paintings I'll have at Stony's.

I was pleased when Raleigh Ceasar contacted me to be part of the new venture for the Pierro Gallery of South Orange — Pierro Downtown!

Raleigh has joined forces with the enormously talented Susan Napack to put together this tasty mix of dainty delights, featuring small works by Lisa Pressman, Susan Napack, Russell Christian, Sarah Petruziello, Greg Leshe and Stuart Tyson.

I hope you’ll stop by. Come hungry!

Stony's: Serving Up the Best in Food and Art! Photos-The Patch & Nancy Heins-Glaser

Burgers, Fries and Art!

Drop by the Pierro Gallery for this valuable coupon!

Until June 13, there is a special offer for all visitors to Pierro Gallery to pick up a coupon for 10% off at Stony’s. The gallery is open 1-4 Fri-Sun. Visual Alchemy – 8 African American Artists Explore the Spirit of Visual Narrative is up through June 6, followed by an exhibit of Gallery Committee alumni.

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Tags: Greg Leshe, Lisa Pressman, Nancy Heins-Glaser, Pierro Downtown, Pierro Gallery of South Orange, Raleigh Ceasar, RC Fine Art, Russell Christian, Sarah Petruziello, Stony's, Stuart Tyson, The Patch, Visual Alchemy

Pulp Facts

A "pulp confection" Hush Redux was created with the scraps from my project titled "Hush" during my Print and Papermaking Fellowship at the Brodsy Center

Please come out to see me this Sunday, March 21st, as I participate in a fascinating exhibition — Pulp!

Artist and curator Rachel Leibman has pulled together an impressive group of artists for this Arts Guild New Jersey show. The theme is paper and you will be amazed by the way these artists have stretched the boundries of this medium. Printmaking, painting and scultpure are just a few of the examples I glimpsed while I was dropping off my three works. Here’s a bit of what Rachel has to say in her curatorial statement:

… for most visual artists, paper still retains the same importance it always had. Artists produce their art to be seen on a gallery wall, hung from a ceiling or displayed in a home. It is meant to be seen in “real life.” Works of art lose much of their immediacy, resonance and intimacy when viewed on a computer screen. Along with canvas, paper is a mainstay to the visual artist.

— Rachel Leibman, curator

I think I’m most excited about the company I’ll be in: Tom Nussbaum, Susan Lisbin, Deborah Ugoretz, Mona Brody, Marion Held, Daniel Seidman, Pamela Guenter-Duffus, Keely McCool, Catherine LeCleire, Rodriguez Calero, Rocco Scary, Pam Cooper, Beatrice Coron, and Rolla Herman.

It’s sure to be a wonderful show. Come!

Pulp Artworks Made of Paper

March 19 — April 16, 2010

Reception, Sunday March 21, 1 — 4 PM

Arts Guild New Jersey, 1670 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ, 731-381-7511

Click Here to Leave a Comment!

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Tags: Arts Guild New Jersey, Artworks Made of Paper, Beatrice Coron, Brodsy Center, Deborah Ugoretz, Keely McCool, Marion Held, Mona Brody, Pam Cooper, Print and Papermaking Fellowship, Pulp, Rocco Scary, Rodriguez Calero, Rolla Herman, Susan Lisbin, Tom Nussbaum

An Angel for the Arts

Like so many other artists, my stereotypical struggle to survive professionally has lightened a bit by the touch of Patricia Bell. Not only does she have a “to-die-for” collection of art, she also supports many local art venues as a trustee on the boards of the Center for Visual Arts, Montclair Art Museum, Garden State Arts Center Foundation and the Aljira Center for Contemporary Art in Newark.

A Gem Among Her Jewels

Ms. Bell has not gone unnoticed; The Star-Ledger ran an article recently (“South Orange Art Collector’s Home is a Visual Feast“), and Park Place Magazine’s newest issue ran a multi-page article about Ms Bell: “The Art of the Party.”

Both are  wonderful pieces, highlighting her warm hospitality and keen eye for art. With a grateful heart and a  glow of pride, I’m delighted to say that Patricia cites me in both articles as an “artist to watch.”

Here’s a passage from the Star-Ledger’s piece: “Bell also lists the mixed media work of Nancy Tobin, a local contemporary visual artist among her favorites. New Jersey artists Claire Rosen, Willie Cole, Margaret Murphy and Lisa Pressman are also present here.”

And here’s an excerpt from the Park Place article:

Favorite NJ Artists to Watch

“I love new things, and always find a spot for the pieces I love,” says Pat Bell. “When I’m surrounded by all this wonderful work, it’s like living with the souls of the artists.”

Each month, as fresh—and sometimes massively large artwork—arrives at her home, Gabrielle Pulls, Bell’s housekeeper of 17 years, equips herself with an electric drill, a level, and a keen eye. As pieces leave the home, they often are loaned or contributed to non-profit organizations, such as the South Orange Performing Arts Center.

“I’m fortunate to live in this state because we have so many wonderful artists,” says Bell. “I like what’s in my backyard.” To keep au courant with the local art scene, get acquainted with some of her favorites:

Willie Cole, Mine Hill, multi-dimensional
(williecole.com)
Tom Nussbaum, Montclair, sculptor
(tomnussbaum.com)
Claire Rosen, Montclair, photographer
(clairerosenphotography.com)
Margaret Murphy, Jersey City, painter (margaret-murphy.com)
Lisa Pressman, West Orange, painter
(lisapressman.net)
Marcia Kure, Princeton, painter/collage artist
(marciakure.com)
Wayne Roth, Mountain Lakes, digital artist/photographer (2face.com)
Nancy Tobin, Maplewood, collage painter (nancytobin.com)
Dan Fenelon, Madison, painter
(wavedog.com)
Jordan Eagles, Short Hills, painter/installationist (jordaneagles.com)

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Tags: Aljira Center for Contemporary Art, Center for Visual Arts, Claire Rosen, Dan Fenelon, Garden State Arts Center Foundation, Jordan Eagles, Lisa Pressman, Marcia Kure, Margaret Murphy, Montclair Art Museum, Park Place Magazine, Patricia Bell, South Orange Performing Arts Center, The Star Ledger, Tom Nussbaum, Wayne Roth, Willie Cole

Beckoning Spring

Surface - S: One of an edition of 26, each one-of-a-kind

I was so pleased with the results and the reception of the limited edition piece I did to celebrate the new year: Peace Walk, that I decided to create a new edition to celebrate the coming of spring.

This time, instead of creating multiples of the same image, I created 26, similar, but different works.

Introducing Surface!

Each work begins with an archival inkjet print that is laminated to a panel. Several layers of acrylic medium are added to enhance the surface. Next, each piece is embellished with little pieces that have been hand cut from the original print. Every print is then silk-screened two times, 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.

Sixteen of these little darlings are gone — but ten more are available. Let me know if you’d like me to reserve one (or more) for you.

The edition in progress

Surface A — Z

5″ x  5″ mixed media on panel

Each piece is signed on the front and signed and numbered on the back.

Each work comes with a display easel.

$200. each

These are the available works *(the letters are not on the actual work)

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Tags: limited edition, Peace Walk

Gettin’ Busy

After a fair amount of after-the-holidays recharging, I’m back to the studio.

Ignoring my sweet blog, ignoring chores — my determination to refill the coffers with big, glorious paintings, has kept me busy. Rather than write about it, I think I’ll share some studio shots of my work in progress.

I've started so many paintings with the intention of limiting my palette to shades of white…

… as you can see, color seduces me every time!

These two started out so similar…

… now they're heading in different directions. We'll see where they end up!

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