HomeStudio Tour: Yogi and Artist Nancy Rosen (She’s Not Just Posin’)
18. Feb, 2009 
20 Comments
I’ve always wanted a room with stark white walls, a retreat and blank slate where I could scrawl my ideas and inspirations around me and onto the ceiling (or at least one of the voices in my head wanted that kind of room). But I never imagined a a space so scribbled (or could it be scribbly?) as yogi, wife, mom artist and past (and pretty smokin’) Open House star Nancy Rosen‘s home away from home, a cavernous art studio in a neighborhood for which I cannot identify by name but which is pretty far north and sort of west too and it could possibly be a suburb but I’m not sure. Over the course of ten years, not only the walls, but the floors, work areas and canvases have filled up with the artistic star’s creative scuffs, marks and dust*, exposure to which left my body buzzed, my ideas firing a bit faster.
The prolific painter has several pieces in the works at any given time and the walls and shelves hold many more in various states of completion.** When Nancy’s then 8 year old son Ben first saw his Mom’s studio, he paced around, put his hands on his hips and said, “Mama you gotta stop making stuff and start selling it.” Indeed. While I normally move through the world with an almost ballerina-like grace, I kept tripping over or knocking into things in the very pregnant space.
Coming up, we’ll take you on a tour of Nancy’s amazing space. And learn how Nancy has begun to use the massive studio in her off hours. Stay tuned.
Continued after this arresting image from our sponsor Wood Circle, maker of the only 100% Certified levitating piece of wood; fine artists everywhere swear by Wood Circle for holding paints and for enabling longer average paint times. You owe it to your work but more importantly, you owe it to your weary limb. Wood Circle – available at fine U.S. art supply stores and army surplus shops. Call now to receive a second levitation Wood Circle, a $99 value, absolutely free.
Welcome back to Strange Closets. When busy yogi, wife, mom and artist Nancy Rosen got her own studio, the entire family wondered how they would get buy without Mom. But while the space is a retreat, Nancy enjoys it when friends, family and especially bloggers stop in for a visit. Nancy also welcomes students for weekly classes and recently, groups have begun using the space for “salon evenings,” where people eat, drink wine, talk and view art in a completely different way. If you have questions about Nancy’s work, classes or using the space for your own salon party, email her at me@nrosen.com or visit her website at nrosen.com.
And be sure to check out Nancy’s upcoming show:
Friday March 20th from 6-9 pm.
D/Vision Optical
1756 W. Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622
* I took a little dust and left a trail of it from her studio to my house so I can snort my way back someday.
** Check out my new blog States of Completion, which will be a handy guide to all things complete, a word which, upon giving a second thought, sounds like the name of a Parisian cat.
I love your work. I will be operating a gallery at a local spritual center in the coming weeks and would very much like to talk with you about showing your work. Please Please.
Phillip Bernal
Phillip Bernal Design
my cell 773-370-9499
I am in the process of converting my attic into a studio/lounge so this was trully inspiring! So much color, such beutiful art, such a pretty lady.
Love it!
*truly*
All things great and small. We love you large.
Love it and I’m craving studio space. I moved from 1300 to 20 sq feet plus outside when it does not rain.
You are fortunate to be pals with Joanne Cole
Love it, love it, love it!!
You go girl…………..
Hi Nancy, I love your studio. It’s great and I can’t wait to see it.
I would go nuts in your studio – i’d want to take it all home w/me!
Great article, terrific work. Keep doin’ that wonderful work you do so well. Makes the world a better place!
Nancy,
Fantastic!!! You have come a long way since Rogers Park. I hope next time we are in Chicago we can get together. Miss you and the family.
Love you, MaryAnne aka Jen & Rob’s mom
Nancy…
Very cool. You have been a busy girl.
Barb
I’ve fallen in love all over again. Can’t wait to come visit. Great photo of the model behind the chair. You’re the best and I’ll continue to toot your horn always.
Jill
Nancy, the views of and in your studio are marvelous — great shots! — and you and your work are very exciting! Congrats!
Judith
Such a great tour of your world and your work!!
Love the colors, the faces, the whole that is your art.
Kim
Your work is always inspiring and it is a treat to see behind the curtain into the space where the magic happens. Fabulous.
Nancy, You are my rock star.
i’ve accomplished quite a lot… but only because I was unable to acquire what you have
lovely
p
your work is beautiful… and inspiring. I met you in the naperville starbucks last saturday March 28th,2009 with your friend valerie.
I see that you have managed to succeed combining art and family–so i may contact you for some ideas. i as what my son calls a ” momist” too. Just returning to the fine art world after after a lapse of over thirty years.
I am fortunate to have met such a talented artist,
Cleo
As a fellow artist. you have inspired me. love the loose and eclectic style of your art. also love the space.. when is your next exhibit? I’d like to see your work up close.. your fantastic.. thanks again.. P.S. I put you on my favorites list so I can see your art alot!!!!
Nancy,
Your heart is at least as big and as loving and as colorful as your art. You pour yourself out and refill and pour again with such a unique look at people and life. Your mind puts the term infinity to shame. When one visits your studio, one wants to buy the entire collection of your thousands and thousands of pieces for one’s lack of ability to select only one or two pieces. Knowing you is a wonder.
Michael