As an artist, I feel free.
I love a blank canvas and paint with no plan, letting my insides run wild without pressure, expectation, or resolve. I trust myself in this space. It’s where I show up and I AM without overthinking or consequence. It’s untethered expression. I feel safe.
"Femme Apparently" in process
Biography
Tobi Beck (b. 1976) is an American visual artist based in Southern California. Her intuitive abstract paintings, aptly described as “Smudges of her love and guts”, are considered emotional exhales of her always swirling mind. An over-thinker and ADHD neuroatypical, Tobi finds respite in the unique freedom abstraction allows, giving space and release for the raw honesty in her work. Having been born and raised in the projects of South Boston, the gritty textures of the city come through in her grungy marks characterized by memories of brick and ripped stickers on light poles - a moodiness that inspires her abstract style; each scrape and stroke building and tearing away to evoke tension or freedom.
A cathartic new experience for Tobi, smearing paint to paper was wholly intrinsic and marked the start of her artist journey in 2014 - a practice that would carry her through a cancer scare only one year later. This awakening was the catalyst for ending a corporate career in administrative sales to pursue art full time. Tobi’s abstract body of work has grown to include monochromatic graphic paintings, mixed media, collage, and digital medium with a focus on layered geometric compositions that tap into her early experience as a graphic designer.
Tobi studied Visual Communications at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles and is a member of the Santa Clarita Artists Association, currently holding position of Gallery Chair for the 2026 season. Her work is in private collections throughout the US and in Denmark. Recently, she was selected to show at The Other Art Fair in Los Angeles as a five-time exhibitor, presented by Saatchi Art. Tobi has also had 7 paintings procured by NBC/Universal for the set of the Peacock television series, "Based on a True Story", was a featured in-store artist at West Elm in Beverly Hills, and has celebrated her "Coming Home" body of work through a solo exhibition. As an experiential self-taught and self-represented artist, she continues to develop skills and knowledge through mentorship, community, and online education.
A cathartic new experience for Tobi, smearing paint to paper was wholly intrinsic and marked the start of her artist journey in 2014 - a practice that would carry her through a cancer scare only one year later. This awakening was the catalyst for ending a corporate career in administrative sales to pursue art full time. Tobi’s abstract body of work has grown to include monochromatic graphic paintings, mixed media, collage, and digital medium with a focus on layered geometric compositions that tap into her early experience as a graphic designer.
Tobi studied Visual Communications at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles and is a member of the Santa Clarita Artists Association, currently holding position of Gallery Chair for the 2026 season. Her work is in private collections throughout the US and in Denmark. Recently, she was selected to show at The Other Art Fair in Los Angeles as a five-time exhibitor, presented by Saatchi Art. Tobi has also had 7 paintings procured by NBC/Universal for the set of the Peacock television series, "Based on a True Story", was a featured in-store artist at West Elm in Beverly Hills, and has celebrated her "Coming Home" body of work through a solo exhibition. As an experiential self-taught and self-represented artist, she continues to develop skills and knowledge through mentorship, community, and online education.
ABSTRACTION IS FREEDOM
It's where I go to breathe
Work in progress
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In the studio
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