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Jessica Libor

~ Studio Journal

Jessica Libor

Category Archives: Exhibitions

Beginning my “Let’s Connect Philly” painting for the Barnes Foundation

23 Monday Apr 2018

Posted by Jessica Libor in Exhibitions, How To, In My Studio

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advice for artists, art, art expert, artist, beautiful, beautiful art, beautiful paintings of women, classical realism, contemporary art, contemporary female artists, contemporary realism, creative, creativity, drawing, emerging artist, emerging artists, female artist, how to be an artist, how to paint like the masters, inspiration, inspiration for artists, jessica libor, Let’s Connect Philly, mural arts, pafa, painter, painting, pennsylvania academy of the fine arts, residency, the Barnes foundation

This month I am lucky enough to be living in a Philadelphia zip code, so am eligible to participate in the Barnes Foundation and Mural Arts competition and exhibition at the Barnes Foundation, called “Let’s Connect Philly.” It’s a really cool idea– artists are to pick one piece that inspires them (I picked Renoir) and do a small piece inspired by it! During the exhibition (in May–June) the public can go and vote on their favorite pieces, with the winning artists getting a residency and stipend at the Barnes! Needless to say I’m very excited to enter! Above is a time lapse for the first 7 hours of painting I’ve done on my piece. It’s not done yet, but when it is, I’ll post a side by side of the piece by Renoir that inspired me and my own.

Jessica Libor

Www.jessicalibor.com

Spring Exhibition with St. John Knits

18 Wednesday Apr 2018

Posted by Jessica Libor in art, Exhibitions, fashion, Uncategorized

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art, art exhibition, art show, artist, artists, beautiful art, emerging artist, fashion art, female painter, feminine art, figurative painter, impressionist art, jessica libor, jessica libor art, life, nathan durnin, nathan durnin artist, nature art, oil painting, paintings, pennsylvania academy of the fine arts, spring art, st. john knits

Screen Shot 2018-04-11 at 7.43.44 PM

Nathan Durnin
Nathan Durnin
Jessica Libor
Jessica Libor

I’m very excited to invite you to a very special exhibition this Saturday, April 21 from 1 to 6pm at St. John Boutique at 160 North Gulph Rd. in King of Prussia, PA.  This exhibition is made possible by a collaboration between St. John and Era Contemporary Gallery.  I will be exhibiting 7 new paintings along with Nathan Durnin, also with 7 of his new gorgeous paintings, interspersed among the Spring collection of fashion designs for women by St. John.  I will be there and excited to meet visitors!  Light refreshments will be provided as well.  I hope to see you there!  Scroll down to see a selection of the work that will be on display.  If  you’re interested in a piece, simply email eracontemporary@gmail.com!

Screen Shot 2018-04-18 at 12.12.39 PMScreen Shot 2018-04-18 at 12.12.50 PMScreen Shot 2018-04-18 at 12.13.00 PMScreen Shot 2018-04-18 at 12.13.08 PMScreen Shot 2018-04-18 at 12.13.18 PMScreen Shot 2018-04-18 at 12.13.26 PMScreen Shot 2018-04-18 at 12.13.37 PM

 

The Hunt of the Unicorn: a visit to the Met Cloisters

12 Monday Feb 2018

Posted by Jessica Libor in art, Exhibitions, fashion, Inspiration, Journeys, lifestyle, Uncategorized

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chivalry, medieval art, middle ages, myths and legends, the cloisters, the hunt of the unicorn, the met cloisters, the metropolitan museum of art, the unicorn legend, unicorn symbolism, unicorns

Recently I was able to visit the Cloisters, a division of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.  The Cloisters is located in a beautiful castle-like structure that was built by a sculptor and student of Rodin, George Barnard.  George wanted to show off his collection of beautiful Medieval art by creating a poetic interpretation of the middle ages.  The Cloisters are a gorgeous tribute to his inspiration.

Within the Cloisters are a famous group of tapestries: The Hunt of the Unicorn.  They were much larger than I had anticipated, having seen the reproductions in various places.  It was even more beautiful in person.  The collection consists of seven tapestries, created around 1500, most liked in Brussels and commissioned by Anne of Brittany to commemorate her marriage to King Louis XII of France.  The tapestries are woven with a mixture of silk, metallic thread, and wool, which gives them a rich, vibrant appearance.   The subject of the unicorn was heavy with symbolism in the Medieval world.  People actually believed that the unicorn was a real animal, and were portrayed not in a silly way, but with great reverence.  They were symbols of purity, fidelity, and rare beauty, and their horns were thought to posses healing, purifying powers.  Narwhal horns were sold to unsuspecting medieval people for huge prices under the guise that they were unicorn horns, and kings would often drink out of them as goblets so as to minimize the effects of poison.  Today, they are a beautiful idea, a symbol of a time long past, that still holds enchantment.

unicorn1unicorn2unicorn3unicorn4

I came home inspired to perhaps work some unicorns into my own artwork.  To incorporate unicorns into your own world, I found an adorable necklace and art print–just click them to see the details!  What do you think of the symbolism of the unicorn? Does it change the way though think about the legends from the Medieval times? I’d love to know your thoughts!


Stay inspired, until next time,

Jessica

www.jessicalibor.com

“Ebullience” Art Exhibition

30 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by Jessica Libor in Exhibitions, Uncategorized

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art, art exhibition, art exhibition philadelphia, contemporary realism, first friday, first friday philadelphia, jessica libor, painter, PHiladelphia, philly

Dear friends and readers, I would like to invite you to a special event on First Friday on June 2nd, it is an art exhibition I am in!  It is in Old City in Philadelphia at a lovely gallery.  Please see below for details, and I hope to see you there!

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“Ebullience: the quality of lively or enthusiastic expression of thoughts or feelings.”
Welcome to the painting and photography exhibit presented by BlinkArt Gallery featuring the work of Tor Chaykin (painter), Michael Kauffman (photographer) and Jessica Libor (painter).
Please join us on June 2nd for a First Friday opening exhibition for our three person show. Light refreshments and drinks will be provided, as well as mellow live music. There is paid parking across the street, and the gallery space is on the 4th floor. We look forward to seeing you for this lovely evening in this airy, lofty gallery space!
Registration is encouraged by RSVPing at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ebullience-art-exhibition-tickets-34786172378

Questions? Gallery website is www.iceblinkartgallery.com and phone number is 215-588-4445.

You may view and presell some of the artwork in the show by visiting Jessica Libor’s selections for Ebullience at https://squareup.com/

Thank you and hope to see you there!

Jessica

Creative cross-pollination

15 Tuesday Mar 2016

Posted by Jessica Libor in art, Exhibitions, Inspiration, lifestyle

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art, artisan, artist, create, creative, creativity, creator, exhibitor, explore america, jessica libor, national parks, painter, philadelphia flower show, yellowstone

butterly (1 of 1)They say that art imitates life.  But, quite literally, life imitated art at the Philadelphia Flower Show this year.  This year’s theme “Explore America” highlighted the National Parks, and recreated geysers, woodlands, houses, cottages, and famous scenes from National parks in America.  The live flowers were arranged, sculpted, draped and displayed in such unique and amazing ways, so as you could not help but marvel and be uplifted by the panoramas.  I would know, because I just spent 11 days there, at least 10 hours a day, as an exhibitor.

I had mixed feelings about being an exhibitor, at first.  As a fine-art artist, it was an unusual choice of venue for me to display my work.  The usual route is galleries, contests and the like.  However, I wanted to have the experience of showing my work to a very large quantity of people–and to interact with them, as well.  I felt that the flower show would be an interesting venue for my work because much of my painting focuses on bucolic, too-perfect scenery and profusions of greenery and flowers.  It was a great experience, meeting people who appreciate plants, beauty and the handmade work of an artist or artisan.  Of the 35,000 people who came through the show each day, I must have only met a fraction, but it felt like a lot.  The reaction to my work was not uniform.  Different people were drawn to different pieces, although overall some pieces received more of a reaction than others.  It was a privilege to meet people from all over the country who had come for the show.  Many were inspiring and unique individuals–I think of the interior designer who showed me his perfectly recreated turn of the century home, the father who bought two pieces for each of his young children, and the woman who had just learned to paint but bought a piece because it spoke to her and made her want to create again.  It was a humbling experience and made me so grateful.

Personally inspiring for me were the other exhibitors.  I did not expect to be so excited by the work of other artists and artisans whose work may be completely different than my own, but quality and unique nonetheless.  These were people who dedicated their lives to their craft, to make it the best that it could be.  It made me want to be better.  But more than that, it spurred me on to keep creating in unique and specific ways.

The butterfly farm that harvested the butterfly wings of the insect once it died naturally, and mounted them beautifully behind glass–perfectly preserved forever.  The fine natural glitter and iridescence of the wings captured made me want to create paintings of the same glow, symmetry and intricate detailing.  The iron smith who created functional wall hangings and creative sculptures as doorstops made me want to take pride in the quality of my workmanship.  The bookmaker who used paper he made out of linen, wrapped in untanned leather that smelled in the best way of another time, made me want to create paintings and art that will last for generations, transcending the boundaries of centuries.

leather book (1 of 1)

My point is, there is no limit to inspiration.  Artists need not only find their inspiration from painters.  Sometimes it is good to cross pollinate our inspiration, as art imitates life, but life is more than just art.  As Lera Aurbach writes in her book Excess of Being, “The difference between art and life: art–magnifies, life–diminishes.”

Life is all around us.  It is our job as creators to make it into art.

Me and my friend Emily at the flower show

Me and my friend Emily at the flower show

 

Gardens of Delight: show TOMORROW

13 Saturday Feb 2016

Posted by Jessica Libor in art, Exhibitions, Uncategorized

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art, art show, artist, beautiful, elegant, jessica libor, PHiladelphia, valentine, weekend

The Rending, film still, Jessica Libor 2013

The Bazemore Gallery presents new artwork by Jessica Libor that includes video, interactive installations, and oil paintings.
Opening reception is Saturday, February 13th from 6 to 9pm at the Bazemore Gallery, 4339 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA, within the historic Manayunk neighborhood.

In honor of Valentine’s Day, The Bazemore Gallery is having a pop up showing of artist Jessica Libor’s latest whimsical and imaginative art. In addition to her work on panel and canvas the exhibit will feature an interactive, conceptual installation plus video. Jessica’s romantic figures set in utopian landscapes conjure an illusory setting that evokes the feeling of the holiday. Please join us for the perfect prelude to Valentine’s Day.

Join the event page here GardensofDelight
To contact the gallery, visit http://thebazemoregallery.com/  
To see more of Jessica Libor’s work, visit www.jessicalibor.com
The show will by up until the end of February during regular gallery hours. 
jessicalibor_TenderMissive
Swoon, oil on panel, 6" by 6", Jessica Libor 2015

Art after 5

17 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by Jessica Libor in art, Exhibitions, Inspiration, Journeys, Uncategorized

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art, art after 5, artist, contemporary art, free people, jessica libor, philadelphia museum of art, pma, renoir

  Last night a friend and I visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art and enjoyed the jazz music performed live, delicious spinach citrus salad, and a stroll through the galleries.  We only had a little bit of time before the galleries closed so we chose the contemporary wing, which also included Renoir, Van Gogh and many Victorian masterpieces.  We talked to the guards, looked at the art and gathered inspiration while walking through the halls.  It was a good time and had been far too long since I had been to the museum!

  
   
 Thanks for reading, and I’d like to invite you to subscribe so you never miss a post!Good night and stay creative, 
Jessica

January First Friday 

10 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by Jessica Libor in art, Exhibitions, Inspiration, Journeys, Uncategorized

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art, art show, artist, first friday, gallery, jessica libor, PHiladelphia

  
Last evening was First Friday in Philadelphia, and I stopped by an art show curated by Vanessa Werring, who is one of the gallery directors at Gallery 22. I’m super excited to be showing at Gallery 22 this spring! Vanessa does a great job with finding and promoting new talent and I’m honored to be part of the roster this year. Stay tuned for more details soon!

Jessica 

Www.jessicalibor.com

“Oceanic” pop-up art show at Lord and Taylor

14 Friday Aug 2015

Posted by Jessica Libor in art, Exhibitions

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art, artist, exhibit

Hello everyone! I am super excited to announce that tomorrow, Saturday, August 15, 2015, I will be exhibiting ten new works at Lord and Taylor in King of Prussia, PA. It is a one day only show from 10am to 6pm, and I’ll be there to meet and greet! Would love to see you out there.  In addition to the paintings exhibited in person, you may purchase the paintings and limited edition prints at my studio shop www.jessicalibor.com/shop . 

Below is one of the new paintings that will be exhibited there tomorrow. Hope to see you then!  

 

A trip to the Barnes Museum & a new painting available

05 Thursday Feb 2015

Posted by Jessica Libor in Exhibitions, In My Studio, Inspiration, Journeys

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Mr. Barnes with a Renoir

Mr. Barnes with a Renoir

Yesterday I took a trip to the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia.  The Barnes has an interesting history, and a controversial one.

The Barnes Foundation is an American educational art and horticultural institution with locations in Merion, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia; and Logan Square, Philadelphia. It was founded in 1922 by Albert C. Barnes, a chemist who collected art after making a fortune by co-developing an early drug marketed as Argyrol and selling his company at the right time, before antibiotics came into use.

Original Barnes Museum

Original Barnes Museum

Today, the foundation owns more than 2,500 objects, including 800 paintings, estimated to be worth about $25 billion.  These are primarily works by Impressionist and Modernist masters, but the collection includes many other paintings by leading European and American artists, as well as ancient works from other cultures.

In the 1990s, the foundation’s declining finances led its leaders to various controversial moves, including sending artworks on world tours and proposing to move the collection to Philadelphia. A 2009 documentary, The Art of the Steal, argued that the foundation had been taken over by other non-profit institutions.  After numerous court challenges, the new Barnes building opened on Benjamin Franklin Parkway on May 19, 2012.

The new Barnes Museum

The new Barnes Museum

It’s a gorgeous building with state of the art architecture, utilizing vast slabs of chiseled, textured stone on both the inside and outside, making it vaguely reminiscent of an Egyptian tomb.  Once inside the building, there are countless tiny rooms to explore that are set up exactly the way that Mr. Barnes had them displayed.  So in a way, the original Barnes experience is recreated within the new location.

Inside the Barnes

Inside the Barnes

Below is one of my favorite pieces of the collection.  I’m not sure the name of it, but I know it’s a Renoir.

Renoir

Renoir

In my own studio, this is a newer piece that is available through the shop.  It’s called Swoon and is ORIGINAL oil on panel painting, completed in 2014, 8 inches by 8 inches on a flat panel.  To order or view more details follow the link to the shop here:  https://jessica-libor.squarespace.com/shop/swoon

Swoon, oil on panel, 6%22x6%22, Jessica Libor 2014

Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to subscribe to never miss a post!

 

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