Think & Of Me, two of the fifteen paintings I have at Peaches

No, it definitely isn’t Kansas! Last night — the opening night for ArtPrize — was great. Walking around Grand Rapids — a city that has already transformed so much since I’ve lived here — had a feeling more like New York last night. I saw many artists I recognized from the New York art scene, and many more who would fit in to that niche quite effortlessly.

My sister and I decided to do our voting last night, after we returned from the festivities. I must say, it worried me. I easily put in my vote for Yours Truly, having already set up my iPhone with the handy ArtPrize app. But Sue, who isn’t the type to sit in front of her computer screens for hours ( like some of us), found the whole thing kind of confusing. I’m not so sure she wouldn’t have just given up if I wasn’t there helping her.

So, a note to all who would like to vote:

1. Register in person at one of the registrations sites (you’ll find those here…), when you register, they will ask you for your email address, and then send you a password. You will need this password for step 3.
2. If you’re comfortable texting your vote, you can do that by sending your vote to 878787.
3. If you want on vote online; go and fetch your password that they sent to your email address & copy it.
4. Go to ArtPrize.com, and click on the left, where it says “vote online”
5. Then you’ll be taken here: where you will need to open an ArtPrize account (easy), and then you’ll fill in your email address and the password that they sent you.
6. Push the little “sign in” button, and you’ll be taken here: where you can type the artists name (I suggest; Nancy Tobin) and press the “search” button.
7. And here you are. Whew! Press the up or the down symbol (again, my suggestion is the “up”), and when it turns orange, you’ve made your vote!

You can vote for as many artists you’d like on the first week.

Good luck to all, and have fun.

I’ll see you at Peaches! Today I’ll be there from 3 to 7PM.

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Oz (detail)

Last week was a frantic blur. The finishing touches on scores of new paintings, the readying of printed materials and the tying down of schedules (mine in Grand Rapids — my children’s, while I’m away.)

Next came the twelve hour drive: Car packed with 21 paintings — some so new that they needed to be set carefully upon the backseat so that the surface could harden on the drive, me with a brand new audio book  (Middlesex by Jeffery Eugenides — halfway through, don’t give away the end!), and the long somewhat boring Interstate 80 in front of me.

This all was followed by the very frustrating, but ultimately successful hanging. Peaches gracious dining room is bedecked, bejeweled and bewitched by fifteen paintings. I was too exhausted by the time I left to have had even thought of taking a photo — but they will come.

Today will be the crescendo to all this preparation. The grand opening is tonight and the city of Grand Rapids is abuzz with excitement. I feel small among all this, but am happy to be here taking part in what I think is going to be grand!

I’ll see you at Peaches!

Oz; Delivered fresh, from New Jersey to Grand Rapids!

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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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