My Paris exhibit, ROMANCED BY THE FOREST (AMOUREUX DE LA FORET) art collection available to collect for 4 day flash virtual show starting August 31 to September 3rd
Above, at my Paris exhibition at Serre Wangari before the exhibition reception. Below, “Princess of the Forest”, the female ruler of the forest is surrounded by the woodland creatures and the trees of her domain, wearing a crown of interwoven twigs and her dress gracefully melding into the landscape.
Below, I pose with “Princess of the Forest” at La Serre Wangari, photos by @scander9
It’s the end of summer, and as always, it’s gone by too fast! Luckily, I’ve arrived back in the states with just a few weeks to enjoy the sun and warmth in PA before autumn arrives in earnest! There is always so much to catch up on after a big trip; the piles of mail, grocery shopping, unpacking, emails and projects! But, having settled back into my life in the states, I’m happy to let you know that my Paris exhibition will be available to browse and buy very soon! From August 31 to September 3rd, I’m holding a flash virtual exhibit online where you can browse and collect the remaining pieces from my Paris exhibition, Amoureux de la Foret (Romanced by the Forest). There are a few originals still available from the exhibition and I am also making limited edition prints of some of the works!
I have much more to share with you about my exhibition and trip, but wanted to just let you know what’s coming in a little over a week! I’ll be sharing more detailed captures of the exhibition and my experience in Paris very soon.
Thank you as always for coming along for the journey!
I have two available works that will be on display in The New Pre-Raphaelites: Illumination, curated by Kerry Dunn through Era Contemporary Gallery. This is a huge group exhibition with over 40 artworks and 26 artists participating!
Era Contemporary Gallery is proud to announce a new partner in this year’s virtual exhibition of The New Pre-Raphaelites: Illumination! The Delaware Museum of Art, which is home to one of the largest collections of original Pre-Raphaelite art in America, is now involved!
The Delaware Museum of Art will be promoting the show as well as the director of the museum, Molly Giordano, spoke at the virtual opening where I have 2 of my artworks on display.
Now in its second year, “The New Pre-Raphaelites” is a group exhibition organized by Era Contemporary Gallery. This year, we add “Illumination” to inspire artists to interpret their contemporary vision of the original Pre-Raphaelites. This group exhibition includes the following artists:
Adina Yoon, Alayne Sahar, Aleksandra Katargina, Ariane Kamps, Ana Sanchez, Benjamin Shamback, Brenda Robson, Bryan Willette, Cecelia Cox, Colleen Smith, Cornelia Hernes, Courtney Scheingraber, Cristy Dunn, Danielle Rackowski, David Heshmatpour, Fred Wessel, Ilana Ellis, Jessica Libor, Jonathan MacGregor, Julianne Jonker, Kathleen Carr, Kerry Dunn, Leah Mitchell, Lisa Hendrickson, Lorenzo Narciso, Luis Alvarez Roure, Maria Christina Jimenez, Morgan Dummitt, Nancy Bea Miller, Sharon Pomales Tousey, Terra Chapman, Victoria Koursaros, and Zara Kand
Illumination has many meanings, but for this exhibition the artists interpret the word Illumination as it inspires their work. Illumination may refer to the awakening of one’s own personal insights, a spiritual transformation, or a historical reference to the illuminated manuscripts found in ancient holy texts during the Medieval Dark Ages, spanning 400-1400 BC. These ideas were also used as inspiration by the original pre-Raphaelites, a self-titled group of English artists during the mid 1800s to early 1900s that wanted to paint the natural world and heartfelt stories that included myth, legend, magic, and faith. This is the second iteration of The New Pre-Raphaelites exhibitions hosted by Era Contemporary Gallery.
Illumination in art history originally refers to the use of gold or silver leaf to embellish a page in a book, so that the words literally appear illuminated by changing light. The practice usually involved the painting in brilliant colors, elaborate designs and miniature illustrations. The work for this show may refer to the sudden burst of creativity and inspiration, a decision in life that leads to great insight, a transformative experience, and also the aesthetic choices that embrace gold leaf, and glowing, spiritual, or magical imagery.
About the curator:
The guest curator for this exhibition is Philadelphia artist Kerry Dunn. Kerry is part of a movement of new masters that has sought to reclaim the methodologies of the old masters, almost completely lost during the 20th century. This movement is in large part due to the atelier system, small studio schools each led by a master painter, that have been on the rise since the mid 90s around the world. Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, is one of these such schools; where Kerry studied between 2003–2008 with renowned portrait painter Nelson Shanks. Kerry now teaches at the school. Kerry’s work is firmly rooted in the academic traditions of painting from life as practiced by the old masters. Kerry feels most drawn to the art of portrait painting where characters are cast upon a stage and narrative is inevitable; and, the ever elusive challenge of creating a master work.
Artwork from left to right on banner image: Left, by Luis Alvarez Roure, center, by Danielle Rackowski, and right, by Adina Yoon. All pieces in the exhibition are for sale including these three. Please email eracontemproary@gmail.com for inquiries.
I’m so excited to share with you that my 4th museum exhibit this year will be happening soon, at the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art.
My piece “Transformation” will be exhibited in the November 4th through December 31st 5th Annual National Juried Exhibition selected by Juror Peter Trippi, Editor in Chief at Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, at the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art. I am beyond honored and thrilled to be exhibiting in this beautiful space with some amazing artists! “Transformation” is an original oil on canvas, 72″ x 36″ inch gallery wrapped painting that is available. If you are interested in acquiring the original, please email me at jlibor@jessicalibor.com and I can connect you to the museum.
Thank you so much for coming along this journey with me! It is a very exciting year as I begin to show in museums and I am excited to take you along with me!
As my collectors, this means for you that every time I show in museums, the value of my art grows as my work gains more publicity and notoriety. Every time I exhibit in museums, your investment that you have made in my career continues to grow. Thank you to every one of you!
I’m so thrilled to share with you that two of my works, “Wild Things” and “The White Deer,” have been included in the 2021 Iridescence exhibition curated by Bradley Sumrall at the Louisiana Art and Science Museum. About Iridescence, from the museum:
“Iridescence is found throughout the natural world, on butterfly wings, fish scales, bird features, and also in man-made materials such as paint, fabric, and plastic. A captivating sight, iridescence is still being studied by scientists today who seek to further understand the interaction between light, movement, and microscopic structures that is responsible for iridescence. Similarly, artists are exploring iridescence to discover new ways to incorporate the rainbow-like phenomenon into their work. “
The shimmering colors and use of gold and silver leaf in my pieces above show an iridescent fantasia.
This is a gorgeous exhibition and you can see the rest of the show online here!
One of my biggest desires this year and going forward is to be in more museum shows, so this was amazing to hear!
These two pieces in the museum show are available for collecting. Please email me at jlibor@jessicalibor.com if you would be interested in either piece!
I’m thrilled to be partnering with the nonprofit One Tree Planted to help reforest the Amazon Rainforest. A portion of all paid ticket sales and art sales for WILDLOVE will be donated to plant trees! WILDLOVE is a collection of new paintings depicting the wildness and romance of nature present all around us, and within us.A portion of all ticket sales and artwork sales will be donated to plant hundreds of trees in the Amazon Rainforest through the nonprofit One Tree Planted, to honor and give back to our connection with nature. Each collector will receive a certificate after the show detailing what trees were planted because of their purchase!
I encourage you to register for the exhibition by clicking here!
I am very pleased to share that I have several pieces I’m exhibiting in a new exhibition collection with Era Contemporary, called Spring Valentine. The show will be up until April! Below are just a few of the works in the show.
The full lineup of artists includes: Lauren Woods, Nancy Bea Miller, Jessica Libor, Jason Blake, Emily Taylor Rodgers, Gelena Pavlenko, Alayne Sahar, Jenny Brown, Manuel Nunez, Kathryn Kincaid, Jess Polk, and Alexandra Levasseur.
This is a very imaginative and playful show, where you’ll see mermen, beautiful princes, pink blossoms, glistening skin, winged zephyrs romancing nymphs, gorgeous flowers, beautiful drapery and an air of languid romance.
Browse this unique collection of work in Spring Valentine by clicking the button below! All pieces are available for immediate purchase right on the gallery website.
I’m very excited to share that I will have a solo exhibition in April called WILDLOVE!
This will be an all new collection of artworks I’m currently making. It will be different in many ways than anything I’ve made before. I will be giving you glimpses into my process as I create the pieces, but the actual work will be a secret only to be unveiled during the virtual exhibition!
I invite you to register for the special virtual event and read more about it by clicking the button below! Those who register will get a hand-signed postcard of a show image signed by the artist and mailed to your address.
This week, I began a magical piece involving spiky pink cactii flowers, the palest violet shades, and a lady and her wildcat for WILDLOVE. I also finished my #21visions challenge, which was to create 21 small ink pieces during the month of January.
Fragonard’s Garden, ink and watercolor on paper, 9 “x 12”, by Jessica Libor 2021
These new ink pieces are now photographed and you can browse and purchase them by clicking the button below!
I also recorded a new episode on The Inspired Painter podcast, about how the accumulation of our efforts creates success. Have a listen by clicking here!
Have a wonderful weekend, and sending you light, love and creativity.
I’m very excited to be curating The New Pre-Raphaelites exhibition with Era Contemporary Gallery, opening virtually on September 25. Tickets are free to attend and you can register here!
There are 40 artists in the show and over 70 artworks available. This is truly an epic exhibit with some of the leaders in the contemporary realism art scene exhibiting. I’m so honored and humbled to be working with these amazing artists and people! I also have a few artworks in the show, seen below. Please contact me at jlibor@jessicalibor.com if you are interested in any of these pieces.
(Above) The Call, oil on panel, 36″ x 48″, by Jessica Libor “Wonder”, oil on canvas, 72″ x 48″, by Jessica LiborTransformation, oil on canvas, 36″ x 72″, by Jessica Libor
But who were the original Pre-Raphaelites, and what do they have to do with the exhibition today? The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was a tight knit small group of artists working in England in the mid 1800s, who had a potent effect on the art scene and paved the way for Art Nouveau. Thier style was characterized by a sincere romanticism, use of costuming and storytelling, and a reverence for beauty and nature. The upcoming contemporary show, The New Pre-Raphaelites, is a collection of art by artists living today who are inspired by these same ideals.
To listen to more of my personal inspiration in relation to the Pre-Raphaelites and a more in depth history lesson, I invite you to listen to my episode 21 on The Inspired Painter Podcast all about this unique art movement.
Who were your favorite painters of the Pre-Raphaelites? I will have to say for me it is John Millais, the artist who painted the famous Ophelia. It epitomizes everything about the Pre-Raphaelites that I love: nature, costuming, an emotional mythical story, and beautiful craftsmanship.
The New Pre-Raphaelites exhibition through Era Contemporary is up all fall; visit www.eracontemporary.com for more details.
In this virtual event, attendees will get a first look at the newest collection of art by Jessica Libor, inspired by the ocean and its stories and fairy tale lore.
This ticket is your reservation to attend the LIVE, VIRTUAL event held over Zoom, and using 3D technology to bring you the experience of actually being in a gallery room with the new artwork! All work will be inspired by the ocean, incorporating both the natural power of the ocean, and also gem-like pieces filled with silver leaf and cool tones evoking the mythical tales of mermaids and sirens.
10% of the sale of all tickets will be donated to Ocean Conservancy, a wonderful nonprofit that works to create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it.
Attendees will receive a hand-signed by the artist postcard of the show image, as well as a generous discount on the artwork featured.
Wear your mermaid or beach inspired outfit and join us for this live interactive event in the arts!
I’m excited to share that two pieces from my recent pastel collection from my show “Enchanted Portals” has been featured on The Art Blog, on their series “Artists in the Time of Coronavirus”.
Several pieces from this collection are still available through my shop here.
The article includes my statements on the work:
Each portrait revealed is a different woman, and these drawings are inspired by the idea of the selfie as a self portrait. The enchanted portal today is technology, and through technology we can curate the way that we are seen, in the same way that artists in other centuries flattered their subjects or imagined a different surrounding for them. I was particularly inspired to do this series because of the impact on millions of quarantined individuals. With nowhere to go socially, how wdo we as individuals still express our creative personalities through our styling? Does it still matter to get dressed up if no one will see you? How does creating a selfie with your cellphone mimic the process of creating a work of art? Many things are the same: choosing the elements, composition, lighting, colors, and subject matter. In many ways, the selfie and the self-portrait are the same thing: the artist’s version of themselves that they want to reveal to the world. Through blending fantasy and reality, they can be perceived as who they aspire to be. How does creating an idealized fantasy world surrounding you create relief psychologically? Is it escapism, or creativity?
It is my belief that the self-portrait of today is the selfie—a way for any individual with a digital device to record their own existence in whatever way feels good to them. It is a way of asserting their presence in the world and reflects the human’s timeless desire to make a mark on society and the world: it is a way to be seen.
