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Jessica Libor

~ Studio Journal

Jessica Libor

Tag Archives: fine art

Astonish yourself: an interview with artist Alessandra Maria

29 Monday Jul 2019

Posted by Jessica Libor in art, Artist Profiles, Inspiration, Interviews, Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

alessandra maria, alessandra maria artist, art, art techniques, artist, artist interview, artist mindset, contemporary artist, contemporary realism, deep work, drawing, fine art, gilding, gold leaf art, jessica libor, painting, success mindset, willpower

Alessandra 7

Alessandra Maria

I met Alessandra a few years ago in New York City at an opening at Arcadia Gallery, before they relocated to California. I remember connecting about art and the passion needed to be an artist, and talking about the process of making work.  When she showed me her work I was struck by her clear vision and stunning imagery.  There is something very mystical and monumental about her work.  It takes me to another time and place, feels like another dimension not of this world: like a curtain pulled back to reveal a complex, many-layered, precious representation of a moment or story.

Alessandra is currently working on large scale pieces to be on display at Gallery Fledermaus in January 2019.  Graduating from Pratt in 2012, she now works in Boston and describes her work as an exploration of personal iconography.  I hope you enjoy the interview below and gain insight into Alessandra’s practice, inspiration, and words of advice for artists everywhere.

 

Alessandra 2

Alessandra Maria

 

What are you excited about in your practice right now?

It’s a secret!  Wish I could tell you, but suffice to say I’m working on some larger scale projects.

 

When did  you become interested in becoming a practicing artist?

When I was in college I majored in graphic design, and later realized that  I hated it.  After switching to Illustration, I further realized that I wanted to be 100% self-directed in terms of what I make and why.  It was at that time that I realized I wanted to be an artist.

 

Describe an experience of other artist’s work you have seen that has influenced your artistic path.

When I was in college, I encountered Klimt for the first time in person at the Neue.  It completely changed by life and gave me a fervent desire to make something that gave me the same feeling.  It’s hard to describe, but I felt like a new world had been opened up to me.

 

Alessandra 3

Alessandra Maria

 

How did you develop your unique style of work?  Was there an experimenting phase before you made the kind of work we see you making now?

It was simple, but not easy.  I had an image in my head that  I needed to make, and had to learn how to use my media properly in order to create it.  I always fall a little bit short, but with each piece I manage to get closer and closer.

 

How do you organize your daily studio time?  Around how many hours per week do you work on your art?

I used to just work as much as possible, and it was incredibly disorganized and less effective than it could have been.  My email inbox was always a mess, my studio was in disarray, and I would often work for 14 hours straight and just collapse at home in a heap of exhaustion.  There was always something more to do.  I’ve always been into self-help books and organization strategies, so in recent months I’ve been troube shooting and researching to streamline my process; in particular, I’ve modeled my work habits off a book called Deep Work.

My current schedule involves 4 to 5 “blocks” of 1.5 hours of work a day.  I leave my cell phone in my car, I don’t have internet in my studio, and I work in complete silence – this ensures I am completely focused on what’s at hand.  It’s mentally exhausting, so between each block, I will take a small walk for about 20 minutes.  ON Mondays (today, when I am writing this), I answer all my emails and get to inbox 0, and organize my projects for the week.

It’s crazy.  I am working less actual hours, but the quality of those hours is so much greater that  I don’t need to do more.  Because I have to concentrate so hard during the 6 to 7.5 hours a day, I often am incapable of doing meaningful work beyond that.

 

Alessandra 4

Alessandra Maria

 

Do you have a favorite space/studio you like to work in?

My studio right now is my favorite I’ve ever had.  It has more space than I know what to do with, and tall ceilings with plenty of light.  I love being there everyday.

 

What would be some advice you would give artists who are not yet full-time professional artists, but would like to be?  What are some of the most important steps they can take?

To me, there’s three components that are crucial to success: quality, production, and mindset.

Regarding quality, a quote from one of my teachers in college, Chang Park, hits the nail on the head.  “Never compromise your aesthetic.”

For production, this is going to sound a bit harsh, but it’s crucial, and maybe the most important of all three: stop *** procrastinating.  I’m often amazed by how many students fail to make their work because they haven’t “had time” to go to the art store and just buy the tool they need (sometimes for weeks, which often turns into months and then years), how many put off learning to work with a media but will get to it “someday”.  I’m not saying this in a judgmental way, I struggled with it too.  But it was so massively instrumental to my own success to learn to quash that urge to put things off.

I don’t believe discipline is something someone just “has or doesn’t have”; learning to be action-focused and never procrastinate is a skill, I think, and one that has to be practiced and fostered.  For anyone who wants more information, read the book “Willpower.”

Lastly, for mindset: be humble.  Don’t get caught up in the “tortured artist” stereotype; self-aggrandizement just serves to make you less capable of seeing your work objectively, which means you can’t improve it in a meaningful way.  A sense of humility with your own work is massively important.

 

What do you think the role of artists are in society?

To tell the truth.  It’s broad, but that to me is the most encompassing definition that covers the myriad forms of practice and expression out there.

 

Alessandra 6

Alessandra Maria

 

What is one mindset artists can adopt that will help them succeed?

Imagine with me for a moment that you walk into a gallery, and in front of you is the most astonishing, amazing, jaw-dropping work you’ve ever seen.  The sort of work that makes you want to sit in the gallery for hours and just be with it.  Really try to imagine this – I do this exercise frequently.

Now, go make that work.  Make work that’s 100% for yourself.

 

Learn more about Alessandra Maria and see her work at www.alessandramaria.com.

Work exhibited with Pamoza International

23 Saturday Mar 2019

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

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art, artist, contemporary art, contemporary realism, creative, exhibition, fine art, jessica libor, painting, pamoza international

Processed with VSCO with fr4 preset

“Wonder,” oil on canvas, 48″ x 72″, by Jessica Libor

I’m so honored for my work to be exhibited at Pamoza International’s Gala tonight!  Pamoza International is a wonderful organization doing humanitarian work in Africa.  My piece, “Wonder,” will be on display as a limited edition print of 50 at their gala tonight, and 50% of all sales will be donated to the organization.  Any online sales made today of this print will also be part of the donation.  To purchase yours, click here.  Thank you so much for your support of this wonderful organization and also of independent artists!

A painting of an actress

30 Sunday Dec 2018

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

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art, beautiful painting, classical art, Elizabeth farren, European art, fine art, jessica libor, new york, painting, portraiture, sir thomas Lawrence, the metropolitan museum of art

One of my favorite paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection! Doesn’t she seem to have a lovely spark about her, like she lived an interesting life? He painter captured it well, because the lady in the painting was an actress of the time. Painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence in 1790, the work depicts the Irish actress Elizabeth Farren. She made her London first performance as Kate Hardcastle in “She Stoops to Conquer” on stage. She continued to act and later married the 12th Earl of Derby. What I love about this painting is her mischievous, very alive expression, and the gorgeous melting of the white fabric texture with the landscape.

40.7792091-73.9633727

Cherry Blossom Painting Time

29 Sunday Apr 2018

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

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

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

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!

Working the Preview Party at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

12 Sunday May 2013

Posted by Jessica Libor in Inspiration, Journeys, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

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Tags

artist, classical art, emerging artist, fine art, jessica libor, pennsylvania academy of the fine arts

Preview Party

Preview Party

This weekend I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Women’s Board Preview Party at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.  This is an elite catered event held on all three levels of PAFA’s museum, showcasing the graduating student’s artwork available for purchase.  Tickets for this event can be up to $1,000, so everyone who paid to attend was dressed to the nines and looking seriously at buying some art.   It was delightful surveying the guests and graduates in all their finery.  For me, I chose a vintage taffetta grey and purple floral silk dress, that as one person put it “looks right out of the Parent Trap era.”  This was a lucky find for me at a thrift store last summer–I finally had something fancy enough to wear it to!

Along with the other volunteers, I was labeled with a nametag “Sales Associate” and assigned a section to assist in.  I met many interesting people that night, and was able to assist in the sales of several friends’ paintings.  Having worked in sales, I really enjoyed the chance to sell a product (art) that I am so passionate about.  My favorite part was introducing the artist to a potential collector.

All in all, it was a lovely and exciting evening, although bittersweet to see such fine artists graduate.  Next year, it will be me along with all the other MFA 2’s standing beside out work, hoping for sales.  Until then, it’s back to the easel.

Artists Jessica Libor, Julianne Kelly, Holly Colagori at the Women's Preview Party at PAFA 2013

Artists Jessica Libor, Julianne Kelly, Holly Colagori at the Women’s Preview Party at PAFA 2013

Christian Birmingham’s World of Fantasty

09 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by Jessica Libor in Artist Profiles, Inspiration

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

beautiful art, beautiful paintings of women, christian birmingham, fairy tales, fine art, great illustrators, illustration, inpsiration, jessica libor, light effects in art, pastel art, the little mermaid art, thumbelina art, working with pasels

Christian Birmingham is an illustrator whose work I have long admired.  His talent is obvious in the way he combines color, composition, atmosphere and drama in all of his work, to bring you into a world of fantasy and make it believable.  He has illustrated classic fairy tales such as the Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty,, the Snow Queen, and many others.  Although not technically ‘classical fine art’, I find myself very inspired by Birmingham’s work, all done in pastels.  Enjoy!

“Refuge” painting in oil and silver leaf, complete

12 Sunday Feb 2012

Posted by Jessica Libor in In My Studio

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

beautiful art, beautiful women paintings, emerging artist, fairy tale art, fashion art, fine art, jessica libor, leafing techniques, oil and gold leaf, oil and silver leaf, oil paintings, women artists, woods paintings

Refuge, oil and silver leaf on linen, 20"x24", Jessica Libor 2011

I completed this painting about a month ago, but wanted to wait until I had a good image to share before posting about it.  It’s called “Refuge”, and is oil and silver leaf on linen, at 18″X20 inches in dimension.  It’s a painting of a friend, like most of my work, and something  I really enjoyed working on.  If you’re interested in collecting it, see more details on my website www.jessicalibor.com, or if you’re interested in viewing it, email me and we can work something out.  Enjoy!

Refuge (detail), oil and silver leaf on linen, Jessica Libor 2011

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