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Jessica Libor

~ Studio Journal

Jessica Libor

Tag Archives: contemporary female artists

Cherry Blossom Painting Time

29 Sunday Apr 2018

Posted by Jessica Libor in art, fashion, In My Studio, Inspiration, lifestyle

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advice for artists, art, art expert, artist, beautiful, beautiful art, cherry blossoms, classical realism, contemporary art, contemporary female artists, contemporary realism, creative, creativity, drawing, emerging artist, emerging artists, Fairmount Park, female artist, female artists, fine art, forever 21, h&m, how to be an artist, how to paint, how to paint like the masters, inspiration, inspiration for artists, jessica libor, Lawrence Alma tadema, Lucy Paris, oil painting, oil paintings, painter, painting, pennsylvania academy of the fine arts, philadelphia artists, social entrepreneurship, spring fashion, technical advice for artists, the roses of heliogabalus

Ohh April! My very favorite time of the year is when the cherry blossoms are out in full bloom, and the great long stretch of summer is out before us in glorious, warm possibility. I spent some time this week painting the cherry blossoms and happily reveling in their heavenly beauty… I was in the park almost every day! Check out my time lapse of the painting done and a few of my other pieces. Send me a message at jlibor@jessicalibor.com if you are interested in collecting any of these oil sketches.

White top and pink skirt: Forever 21. Lavender dress: true vintage. Blue dress: Urban Outfitters. Floral dress: true vintage. Striped top: Lucy Paris. Hats: Forever 21. Sunglasses: Green Street Consignment.

Which is your favorite look? What about favorite cherry blossom painting?

I can’t leave without posting the most epic floral painting ever. “The Roses is Heliogabalus” by Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema. Enjoy! Until next time,

Jessica Libor

Www.jessicalibor.com

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

Beginning a new painting: Magical Creatures

12 Thursday Apr 2018

Posted by Jessica Libor in art, In My Studio, Inspiration, Shop

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advice for artists, art, art expert, art school, 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, MFA, pafa, painter, painting, pennsylvania academy of the fine arts, social entrepreneurship

It’s always the first day that it goes the quickest. After that, it is all about refining the details. Here is a unicorn painting inspired by my visit to the Met Cloisters and seeing “The Hunt of the Unicorn”. Click the video to see the time lapse!

You could spend forever on a painting, but it’s all about the quality and focus of the time you spend on it. Blocking out all other distractions and focusing all your mind and skill on the painting is like a meditation practice. I am always surprised by how much more quickly and better quality work comes out of a painting session when I’m in this state! I read a book once that described this state as “flow.” Perhaps it deserves a post of its own!

This painting I’m currently working on, “Magical Creatures,” is not completed, so be on the lookout for another post about the finished painting.

In the meantime, my recent painting after Fragonard, ” The Chase,” is completed, with a limited edition print run available in my shop. The prints turned out beautifully…every little brushstroke is captured in detail, and each one is on acid free archival quality paper that is velvety and smooth. Hand signed by me! To grab yours, click here.

“Tableau” Print Giveaway

23 Thursday Apr 2015

Posted by Jessica Libor in In My Studio

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artwork, beautiful art, contemporary female artists, jessica libor, oil paintings, pretty

Doing a print GIVEAWAY! From now until May 1, you are eligible to receive this limited edition, hand signed, archival print of “Tableau”. To enter, go to the top of this blog page and sign up to follow the blog by entering your email. Winner will be chosen from the emails who signed up at random on May 1. Good luck! xo

Tableau, oil on panel, 8"x10", Jessica Libor 2014

Tableau, oil on panel, 8″x10″, Jessica Libor 2014.  Watermark is not on the physical print.

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Art exhibition with Lord and Taylor

13 Friday Mar 2015

Posted by Jessica Libor in Uncategorized

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art, art expert, art students, artist, artist bios, artist interview, artist interviews, artist studios, beautiful, beautiful art, beautiful paintings of women, classical realism, contemporary female artists, emerging artist, events, fairy tale art, fantasy, female artist, female artists, fine art, king of prussia mall, lord & taylor, lord and taylor

Sisters, oil and 23 karat gold leaf on panel, 18"x24", Jessica Libor 2015

Sisters, oil and 23 karat gold leaf on panel, 18″x24″, Jessica Libor 2015

I am so very honored and excited to invite you to a special art show called “Portrait of a Fantasy” on Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21 at Lord and Taylor in King of Prussia Mall.

This unique partnership between my artistic vision and Lord and Taylor is such a great collaboration for me. I hope you will come to see my newest works on display in the center of the store, with ten paintings and many print selections. The work will be available for purchase, and I will be present the entire time. I truly hope to see you there!

The details are as follows:

Private reception: Friday, March 20, 5:30-8:30pm
Day open exhibition: Saturday, March 21, 12:00-6:00

Please RSVP to jlibor@jessicalibor.com if you would like to come to the private reception. Thank you so much, and I look forward to seeing you there!

Creatively,

Jessica

smiling jess

ps-don’t forget to subscribe via email if you’d like to keep up to date!

2014 Year in Review

05 Monday Jan 2015

Posted by Jessica Libor in In My Studio, Inspiration, Journeys, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Uncategorized

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2014, 2015, adventures, arcadia, arcadiacontemporary, art, artist, ballet, ballet x, beauty, Bridgette Mayer Gallery, castle, contemporary female artists, exhibition, female, female artist, happy, hiking, journey, lifestyle, oil painting, pafa, painting, Philli artists, prague, Shakespeare, travel, woman, woods, year in review

2014  was a great year!  It’s a blessing to be healthy, happy, and lucky enough to be doing the thing you love to do.  This year saw a lot of changes, all good.  Since last January 1, here are a few of the professional highlights.

Last January I was still working on my MFA.  It was a great time full of challenges and pressure, and totally worth the time and effort put in.  The community spirit within the school was fantastic, with people really helping each other and creativity of the artists feeding off each other.

PAFA--Midyear Review

PAFA–Midyear Review

Working on a drawing installation at PAFA

Working on a drawing installation at PAFA

In the gang studio--PAFA students helping each other

In the gang studio–PAFA students helping each other

Open studios at PAFA

Open studios at PAFA

I was attempting to paint the biggest painting I had ever attempted, and feeling overwhelmed.  At one point I even painted a flat green over the whole tree.  The next day, I panicked after seeing it in the light of day and realized how awful my experiment looked!  I scrubbed the paint off, and the result was a much more cohesive, integrated look to the foliage and the leaves.  Turns out mistakes can be valuable things.

Here is the sketch that got the mammoth painting started, and a few shots to completion.

First concept sketch for "Attainment".

First concept sketch for “Attainment”.

"Attainment" as a work in progress, 2014

“Attainment” as a work in progress, 2014

Attainment, oil, 23 karat gold and silver leaf on panel, 4 ft. by 6 ft.

Attainment, oil, 23 karat gold and silver leaf on panel, 4 ft. by 6 ft.

Much of my time from January to May was spent making paintings for the Annual Student Exhibition at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, were I graduated with my Master’s of Fine Arts, a dream I had for a long time, finally realized!  I got everything I had been looking for out of the experience, the most important thing being the discovery of the beginning of a consistent voice in my work.  Below, some of the work made during that time.

At the Annual Student Exhibition--so excited to be graduating!

At the Annual Student Exhibition–so excited to be graduating!

Suspended, oil, 23 karat gold and silver leaf on panel, 16"x 20", Jessica Libor 2014

Suspended, oil, 23 karat gold and silver leaf on panel, 16″x 20″, Jessica Libor 2014

Suspended (detail)

Suspended (detail)

The Reading, oil and 23 karat gold on panel, 16"x20", Jessica Libor 2014

The Reading, oil and 23 karat gold on panel, 16″x20″, Jessica Libor 2014

Picnic, oil on panel, 10"x12", Jessica Libor 2014

Picnic, oil on panel, 10″x12″, Jessica Libor 2014

Tableau, oil on panel, 8"x10", Jessica Libor 2014

Tableau, oil on panel, 8″x10″, Jessica Libor 2014

April, oil and silver leaf on panel, 8"x10", Jessica Libor 2014

April, oil and silver leaf on panel, 8″x10″, Jessica Libor 2014

"Lovers," mixed media, original is 20"x24", Jessica Libor 2014

“Lovers,” mixed media, original is 20″x24″, Jessica Libor 2014

Display, mixed media, Jessica Libor 2014

Display, mixed media, Jessica Libor 2014

The Gathering, mixed media and 23 karat gold leaf, 8"x10", Jessica Libor 2014

The Gathering, mixed media and 23 karat gold leaf, 8″x10″, Jessica Libor 2014

Muses, mixed media and 23 karat gold leaf, 8"x10", Jessica Libor 2014

Muses, mixed media and 23 karat gold leaf, 8″x10″, Jessica Libor 2014

The exhibit at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 2014

The exhibit at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 2014

I was also able to dabble in video production with the help of a friend.  The actress in the film had access to some beautiful costumes from being in theatre, which explains the stunning costuming.  The result is a video piece called “The Rending,” which you can see by clicking below.

 

 

During 2014, I began a website dedicated to interviewing and learning from contemporary artists, called Eyelevel Arts.  I was able to meet and interview many fascinating and wonderful artists.  You can check out their interviews by following the link to www.eyelevelarts.com.

Screen Shot 2015-01-04 at 8.46.35 PM

Immediately following graduation, a classmate invited me to participate in the Rittenhouse Square Art Fair in Philadelphia.  With the help of family and friends, I was able to exhibit there, and had a great time meeting collectors in the beautiful Spring weather.

At the Rittenhouse Square Art Fair, 2014

At the Rittenhouse Square Art Fair, 2014

At the Rittenhouse Square Art Fair, 2014

At the Rittenhouse Square Art Fair, 2014

I was also able to visit Prague in the Czech Republic with several friends during the hot summer months.  It was a great and eye opening trip filled with beauty, culture, history, and community service.  My favorite part of the trip was hiking for the entire day along the border of Germany, through enchanted woods and fir forests, up to a natural stone formation.  When you reached the top, you could see for hundreds of miles in ever direction.

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Hiking the border through something that resembles the Black Forest

Hiking the border through something that resembles the Black Forest

Beautiful Prague

Beautiful Prague

Prague--the towers that inspired the witch's castle in Sleeping Beauty

Prague–the towers that inspired the witch’s castle in Sleeping Beauty

During the summer after the visit to Prague, I was lucky enough to be selected to be in Bridgette Mayer Gallery’s Ballet X Exhibition.  The selected artists were given a 10″x10″ panel to work with.  The piece I made was oil, butterfly wings, and 23 karat gold leaf, called “Holding Court.”  It was inspired by the court of Queen Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Holding Court, oil, butterfly wings, and 23 karat gold leaf on panel.

Holding Court, oil, butterfly wings, and 23 karat gold leaf on panel.

Ballet X Exhibition at the Bridgette Mayer Gallery

Ballet X Exhibition at the Bridgette Mayer Gallery

Ballet X Opening Night at the Bridgette Mayer Gallery

Ballet X Opening Night at the Bridgette Mayer Gallery

Also during the summer, I continued to paint and create, enjoying some plein air sessions with artist friends.

Painting by the river

Painting by the river

In the fall, I moved with the help of friends and family to a beautiful new living space which doubles as my studio.  I fell in love with the high ceilings and huge windows which let in lovely light.

In October, I was part of a two person exhibition (with artist Alan Soffer) at the Bazemore Gallery in Philadelphia, PA.  It was such an honor to be selected for this exhibition, and so heartwarming to see the friends and family that came out for the event.

With my piece "Daydreaming" at the Bazemore Gallery, October 2014

With my piece “Daydreaming” at the Bazemore Gallery, October 2014

New York

New York

Visiting the Met

Visiting the Met

Visiting New York City for several friend’s and colleague’s art shows was also a high note.  Especially inspiring was Judith Schaecter’s show in Chelsea.  It was wonderful to see the gorgeous work of one of my favorite professors from PAFA have her work on display in such a prestigious space.  Also beautiful was Brad Kunkle’s December show.  It was really cool to see his mix of traditional and new media as he overlaid intricate oil paintings with video installations.

At Brad Kunkle's Show this December

At Brad Kunkle’s Show this December

I’ve also been creating during the fall and winter months.  A few of the pieces I’ve been working on are below.

Narberth Park, oil on panel, 4"x6", Jessica Libor 2014

Narberth Park, oil on panel, 4″x6″, Jessica Libor 2014

Swoon, oil on panel, 8"x8", Jessica Libor 2014

Swoon, oil on panel, 8″x8″, Jessica Libor 2014

Holding Court, oil, butterfly wings and gold leaf on panel, 10"x10", Jessica Libor 2014

Holding Court, oil, butterfly wings and gold leaf on panel, 10″x10″, Jessica Libor 2014

Midmorning, oil on panel, 10"x12", Jessica Libor 2014

Midmorning, oil on panel, 10″x12″, Jessica Libor 2014

Working on a new piece

Working on a new piece

I also started selling my work online to collectors, which really opens things up and makes my work more accessible.  You can see my shop through my website, http://www.jessicalibor.com/shop/.  There are originals, and also limited edition prints, hand signed and numbered.

Screen Shot 2014-10-15 at 1.30.21 PM

I ended 2014 and started 2015 by celebrating with family and friends, making new memories with the people I love.

Trimming the tree with my sister, Lauren

Trimming the tree with my sister, Lauren

Thank you to each one of you who have been a part of my year in 2014, whether a friend, professor, colleague, family member, or collector.  I value each one of your investment into my life and my art.  Don’t forget to sign up to receive each post by subscribing to this blog if you’d like to stay informed as to new works and shows.  Thank you again for your support, and wishing each one of you a very happy, healthy and creative new year!

Love,

Jessica

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New painting, “Suspended”

15 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by Jessica Libor in In My Studio, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

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contemporary female artists, contemporary realism, emerging artist, female artists, female painters, jessica libor, MFA program, PAFA MFA, painter, pennsylvania academy of the fine arts, Philadelphia artist, realist art, romantic art

Jessica Libor 2014

Suspended, oil and silver leaf on board, 16″x20″, Jessica Libor 2014

Above is a piece I’ve been working on over break, and just finished the day before school started up again.  It’s called “Suspended” and is oil on panel, with the sky and petals on the ground genuine silver leaf, and accents like the fruit and belt on the female gilded in 23 karat gold.  It’s 16″x20″ in size.

Technically, the piece is influenced by thinking about the Rococo painters, particularly Fragonard, but also the hyper realistic approach to nature that the Pre-Rahaelite painters utilized.  Conceptually, I was thinking about the beauty but also the underlying tension that can exist between romantic partners.

On to the next piece!  Below, a little preview of a large work I’m working on.

Jessica Libor 2014

“Attainment”, a 4 ft by 6 ft painting in progress by Jessica Libor, 2014

Image

“The Reading”…completed version

07 Wednesday Aug 2013

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beautiful painting, classical realism, contemporary female artists, couple, emerging artist, emerging female artists, fine artists, fragonard, jessica libor, model, oil painters, PAFA graduates, painting with oils, pennsylvania academy of the fine arts, pre-raphaelite, realist art, renoir, romantic painters, romantic paintings, romanticism, young artists

The Reading, oil and gold leaf on board, 16″x20″, Jessica Libor 2013

There’s nothing like the home stretch when you’re working on a painting.  I’ve poured many hours into this work and have pushed it further than I usually do–which I think I’m going to make into a regular thing 🙂  Above you can see the piece as it looks today (please imagine it without the watermark!) after I put in the final brushstrokes.   It’s all in oil, but there are accents of pure 23 karat gold leaf woven throughout.  The pattern along the edge of the silk cloth is all gold leaf, as well as the apples and oranges scattered through the grass.  I’m happy with it as a finished piece, for now.  I’m planning on this being another one to exhibit for my Master’s thesis exhibit in May.  When I am putting this many hours of planning and execution into each piece, planning ahead is a necessity.

Many thanks to Todd Barrett, who lent his superior modeling skills to me for this painting and for a few other upcoming pieces.  Todd is also a Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts student who is a great artist in his own right, tackling tough subjects in his art such as city crime.  Many thanks to this friend.

Todd Barrett

Thanks Todd!

The other model was pretty good too, since she knew exactly what she wanted out of the painting– seeing as it’s myself.

This piece was influenced by Renoir’s paintings of couples relaxing in the verdant grass in springtime, as well as the hyperrealistic Pre-Raphaelite paintings of people who although are staged in pastoral settings, have unseen tensions between or around them.

Renoir, woman with a parasol

Renoir, woman with a parasol

Posted by Jessica Libor | Filed under In My Studio, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

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