An Amazing, Inspiring Event!

Think ©2009

I was delighted to be asked by the New Jersey Center Visual Arts Center to do six special paintings for their Blank Canvas event that was held earlier this month.

The NJVAC’s annual fundraiser is known for it’s high caliber artists, who regularly donate works to for this incredible silent auction. This year was no exception. You can take a look at some of the pieces that were available, on the Art Center’s Flickr page.

Enrich ©2009

Amaze ©2009

Create ©2009

Inspire ©2009

Imagine ©200

Tags: Blank Canvas, New Jersey Center Visual Arts Center, NJVAC

Unnatural Selections & Exquisite Corpses

This is what happens when I neglect my blog — I end up waiting until the last minute to post about all my upcoming events, ending up with a pretty long list. This is no exception.

I guess it’s a formula;

Many shows in future
+ busy getting ready for shows in fututre
(subtotal) too busy to blog
+ wanting to tell the world about all the cool events
(total) really long list of events.
(If that didn’t make any sense, it would explain why I am an artist and not an accountant.)

Please join me for a wine and cheese reception this Saturday at Furbish Home in Millburn, NJ for:

Unnatural Selections
Artwork of Nancy Tobin
November 14, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Show runs from Nov 14 – Dec 7, 2009
Store hours: Mon – Fri: 10am – 6pm, Sat: 10am – 5pm
315C Millburn Ave, Millburn, NJ 973.761.0311
info@furbishhome.com
There will be paintings & prints to fit every budget!

The Exquisite Corpse: Paul Robeson Galleries 30th Anniversary Exhibition
30 collaborative works by 92 New Jersey New York and Pennsylvanian artists
The artist reception for this show will be on Thursday, November 19th from
5pm to 7pm.

I was so excited to be invited to participate in this project! I’ve played this game since I was young, and have always enjoyed the outcome.

If you’re not familiar with the term, Exquisite Corpse, here’s what Wikipedia has to say:

The technique was invented by Surrealists and is similar to an old parlour game called Consequences in which players write in turn on a sheet of paper, fold it to conceal part of the writing, and then pass it to the next player for a further contribution. Surrealism principal founder André Breton reported that it started in fun, but became playful and eventually enriching. Breton said the diversion started about 1925, but Pierre Reverdy wrote that it started much earlier, at least before 1918.

In a variant now known as picture consequences, instead of sentences, portions of a person were drawn.

Later the game was adapted to drawing and collage, producing a result similar to children’s books in which the pages were cut into thirds, the top third pages showing the head of a person or animal, the middle third the torso, and the bottom third the legs, with children having the ability to “mix and match” by turning pages. (However, the game has been played with the usual orientation of foldings and four or more people, and there have been examples with the game played with only two people and the paper being folded lengthwise and widthwise, resulting in quarters.)^[4] It has also been played by mailing a drawing or collage — in progressive stages of completion — to the players, and this variation is known as “exquisite corpse by airmail”, apparently regardless of whether the game travels by airmail or not.

The name is derived from a phrase that resulted when Surrealists first played the game, “Le cadavre exquis boira le vin nouveau.” (”The exquisite corpse will drink the new wine.”)

The finished “corpses” will be a surprise to everyone, artists and guests alike. Come and see the unfolding!

The exhibition will be on display from November 19, 2009 to April 8, 2010.
Paul Robeson Galleries 30th Anniversary Celebration: The Exquisite Corpse
Artists Reception
Thursday, November 19th, 5pm-7pm
Admittance: FREE
Refreshments provided

Your Holiday Gift Shopping Begins Here!

Along with finishing up a studio full of paintings this fall, I’ve also been busy creating some “tiny treasures”; my Art by the Inch, necklaces, rings, earrings — and for the man in your life … Cufflinks!

Here’s where you can find ‘em:

16th Annual Crafts at The Baird
Pierro Gallery of South Orange

Wed, Dec 2, 7pm – 9pm
Preview Sale! Meet the Artist & Opening Reception:
$5 admission for first picks, tasty treats & festive times.

Shop is open daily from12pm – 8pm
Dec 3 – Dec 6, & admission is free

Winter Festival @ South Mountain Elementary School

Sat, Dec 5, 11am – 3pm
admission is free

Art Shop @ Aferro Gallery
73 Market St, Newark, NJ

Tags: 16th Annual Crafts at The Baird, Aferro, Art Shop, Exquisite Corpse, Furbish Home, Millburn, Paul Robeson Galleries, Pierro Gallery of South Orange, Unnnatural Selections, Winter Festival

ArtPrize Update: I Like Carol Coletta!

Going to Grand Rapids last week got me even more excited about ArtPrize.

I had a chance to visit with Jane Lovett the owner of Peaches Bed and Breakfast, where I’ll be showing “just as many paintings as I can tastefully fit” into her lovely dining room. It was good to see the space; take some measurements and shoot some photos of the room. Great to meet Jane, too. She’s very enthusiastic about the event and I feel confident she’ll do all she can to help make the event a success. I’ll be sharing “Peaches” with eight other artists (more on this in the next ArtPrize post).

It’s hard to be back in New Jersey — away from where it’s all happening. So I’ve been searching the internet to keep up to date on news and to find out if any events are planned yet. I really want to connect with many of the artists that will be there for the event and to reconnect with the city I use to call home. (Winning the prize would be swell, too.)

I found this little clip on YouTube. I thought it was a great explanation of ArtPrize and it also introduced me to Carol Coletta — she rocks! She’s the president and CEO of CEOs for Cities and host and producer of the nationally syndicated public radio show Smart City. I haven’t heard the show, but the web site describes it as “an in-depth look at urban life, the people, places, ideas and trends shaping cities”.

I like cities. I like urban development. I like Carol Coletta.

Tags: ArtPrize, Carol Coletta, CEOs for Cities, Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Michigan, Jane Lovett, Peaches Bed and Breakfast, Smart City, YouTube

ArtPrize Article: Me on the Front Page!

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

ArtPrize, Here I Come!

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

Exhausting and Exhilarating!

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

Give the People Art: MaplewoodStock 2009

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!

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!

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

Ten Fun Things to Do in Asbury Park (While You’re Down There for the Show at Parlor Gallery)

You’ve been working hard, you deserve a little break! The weatherman said it’s going to be nice, so grab your sunglasses and toss your cares out with the snow shovel.

1. Stroll the boardwalk

2. Have a delicious dinner

3. Shop

4. Coffee

5. Bowl

6. See a punk show

7. Nightcap overlooking the ocean

8. Pamper yourself

9. Strange reading at Paranormal Books & Curiosities

10. See my art at the Parlor Gallery … opening Saturday night with DJ, food and drink

Jill Ricci, co-owner of the Parlor (who’ll be exhibiting with me), is full of great suggestions for local fun. “A good site to check out for events in Asbury is www.allasburypark.com,” Jill says. “The boardwalk is always a good bet, with lots of cool shops and restaurants. Some good ones there are Stella Marina (delicious Italian) and the Watermark (drinks and light fare in a beautiful lounge overlooking the ocean).

“On Cookman near us there is a great BYOB Restaurant called Plan B ( 2 doors
down), and across the street a nice bar/restaurant called the Harrison. You can read some reviews here.

“If someone wants some live music and cabaret and bowling fun, my partner Jenn
also co-manages a great venue called the Asbury Lanes– great Lounge …

“Also, if anyone wants to stay over night, I highly recommend both the Hotel Tides Restaurant and Spa Hotel and Mikell’s Big House, both online.”

Thanks, Jill — and I hope to see everyone else there!

Here’s some of the tempting treats at the Rare Pleasures Show,  and more info here!

Lorraine Glessner

Hannah Stouffer

Aaron McElroy

Tara Misenheimer

� and Yours Truly!

Tags: Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park, Boardwalk, Hotel Tides Restaurant and Spa, Mikell's Big House, Paranormal Books & Curiosities, Parlor Gallery, Plan B, Shopping, Stella Marina, Watermark

What’s Goin’ On – Spring 2009

Parlor Gallery

Greetings from Asbury Park!

I have several paintings in Rare Pleasures, a show that is opening on April 18th, from 7 to 11 PM at the brand-new Parlor Gallery. What a wonderful way to usher in spring, taking in art and good food while enjoying New Jersey’s beautiful Shore.

Parlor Gallery

717 Cookman Avenue

Asbury Park, NJ 00712

info@parlor-gallery.com

The Rupert Ravens Contemporary

Next Post – Show Extended Until the End of April

There’s still time to check out the show that Benjamin Genocchio of the New York Times says “grabs your attention from the moment you walk in the door.”

Be sure to see the seven paintings I have hanging in the Viewing Room.

Rupert Ravens Contemporary

85 Market Street

Newark, NJ

973-353-0110

Welcome Home!

I pleased to be included in the annual  Studio Tours of South Orange and Maplewood! It’s a great chance for me to answer a lot of questions and meet a lot of people.

Tickets are available at Pierro Gallery of South Orange and 1978 Maplewood Arts Center.

Studio Tours of South Orange and Maplewood

Sunday June 7, 2009 11-5:00PM

Hope to see you there!

Tags: Rupert Ravens Contemporary

This Post: “Next Post”

Me, At the opening reception of Next Post

I’m absolutely thrilled that I have seven paintings at Rupert Ravens Contemporary right now.

He just opened his new exhibition titled Next Post. I attended the opening on Saturday. Rupert hit it out of the park! I think the best show he’s had so far. Some of my favorites: Gae Savannah, Bradley Wester, [dNASAb], Fred Gutzeit, and Cordy Ryman. Check out Rupert’s website, then GO CHECK OUT THE SHOW!

You don’t want to miss this one.

dNASAb

�Fred Gutzeit

Bradley Wester

Cordy Ryman

Gae Savannah

Tags: Bradley Wester, Cordy Ryman, Fred Gutzeit, Gae Savannah, Next Post, Rupert Ravens Contemporary, [dNASAb]