• Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • art
  • lifestyle
  • fashion
  • beauty
  • Shop

Jessica Libor

~ Studio Journal

Jessica Libor

Tag Archives: lifestyle

Creativity Verses Competition

01 Monday May 2017

Posted by Jessica Libor in art, How To, In My Studio, Inspiration, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

arch street press, art, artist, creativity, drawing, energy, giving, howto, inspiration, leadership, lifestyle, painting, philosophy, social entrepreneurship, social innovation

Screen Shot 2017-05-01 at 1.12.53 PM

When you go to work, make your art or go about your business, there are so many reasons to do a good job. Keeping your word, having a good reputation and being consistent are a few reasons. But even deeper than that, I think there are two main places people come from when they create a project: creativity, or competition.

Creativity is a pure motive. Creativity is unexpected, moving, breathing and fresh. It is unique only to you. When you’re in a place of creativity, ideas flow and you aren’t worried about what people think, or even if what you are making measures up to your standards. You let yourself feel, think and create what comes from your mind. You express your thoughts about the world, your emotions, and your aesthetic preferences without fear or striving. There is a lot of joy in being in this state. Sometimes there is a feeling of “this is too easy” or “I can’t believe that was in my brain”. There is more pleasure in making the art, because you’re in a state of making something come into being that is from a pure state, that came straight from your mind. There is a feeling of calm confidence in this state because you know that no one can reproduce exactly what you have. Your uniqueness is your strength.

Competition has a different feel to it. When you’re creating from competition, it can feel paralyzing. There is a feeling of “How can I create something that will measure up, stand out, or otherwise prove my worth?” There is a feeling of pressure, being overwhelmed, and even anger, or “I’ll show them.” When you’re in this state, you can alternate between periods of intense work, and being burnt out and overwhelmed. That’s because you’re not actually enjoying the process! You’re coming from a place of grinding out work in order to prove worth to the world. However, the world will never give you the approval you seek unless you give it to yourself first. You must believe that the work you create is enough, no matter what anyone thinks, because if you believe your art is worthwhile, then eventually other people will too.

I have created from both states, and speaking from personal experience, the art made from pure creativity is more interesting, flows better, and is a lot more fun to paint than art that is made from a place of trying to impress or show people how good I am. It is the unique visions that we need more of in this world, made with a giving spirit, rather than the work made to build up the artist. And I believe when you create from the creativity state, the goals you desire for your art will fall into place naturally because of the creativity and value you are pouring out into the world.

Below are a few ideas for sparking a more creative state:

  1. Put on your favorite music and sketch for 30 minutes. Not detailing each sketch, just getting as many ideas as you can to suggest themselves.
  2. Take a walk in nature
  3. Take a media fast from TV and consuming social media. The things we put in our mind influence our thoughts, so if you want a more pure state of unique creativity, eliminate excess entertainment
  4. Think about the ratio of producing and consuming. Strive to produce more than you consume. For instance, instead of trolling social media, maybe create an interesting post for your followers and leave it at that. Or instead of watching TV, research some ideas for your next artwork. Producing things, even in a small way (keeping a diary, going for a walk, sketching, giving a friend a call) keeps your mind more active, and stimulates creativity. It also gives you better sleep, because the mind has been more active.
  5. Travel somewhere new. It doesn’t need to be somewhere far—take a new route home from work, visit a park near you, go for a hike by a nearby river. Unfamiliar situations can jog the creative mind as well.
  6. Create a goal for yourself and stick to it. Let it be simple at first, like creating something everyday, even if it’s a small sketch. This is different than competition, because you are just giving your creativity a framework to work with. Don’t go to bed without having ticked off this simple goal for each day.
  7. Take ideas from your dreams. Keep a dream sketch journal and write or sketch your thoughts from the dreams you remember.
  8. Keep it fun! If it stops being fun, it means you’re out of the flow state of creativity. Let yourself get back to making art for the pleasure of creating, and the best, most unique art will come out of that.

I hope these ideas help you in your creative journey, fellow artists and artisans! Go forth and create with joy. As Lera Auerbach writes in Excess of Being, “Angels of daring, I call upon you!”

Speaking of creativity, I have started a new channel for my artwork, a Patreon page. Patreon is a way that patrons and supporters of my art can get monthly, exclusive rewards like prints and original art for being my patron. To check it out, please visit www.patreon.com/jessicalibor. Thank you readers for your support and enthusiasm for my work. I hope this writing was in service to you! I will leave you with my latest artwork, “Magic Garden,” an ink on watercolor paper drawing that was definitely done in a creative state.

Screen Shot 2017-05-01 at 1.12.37 PM

“Magic Garden,” ink on watercolor paper, 9×12″, Jessica Libor 2017

 

Until next time,

Jessica

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

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

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.

IMG_1582

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

DSC_0344-2

PORTFOLIO

Free Visioncasting Mini-Course for Artists: make it your best year ever! Click here to get it.

Free Visioncasting Mini-Course for Artists

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 250 other subscribers

Follow on Instagram

Click here to follow Jessica on Instagram!

PBS WHYY Interview

Click to watch my interview for Articulate with WHYY PBS

 

Top Posts & Pages

  • How to Paint Like the Masters: Part 6, Painting the Ebauche
    How to Paint Like the Masters: Part 6, Painting the Ebauche
  • "Tender Trio" original pastel painting for Valentine's
    "Tender Trio" original pastel painting for Valentine's
  • How to Paint Like the Masters: Part 7, Window Shading and Glazing
    How to Paint Like the Masters: Part 7, Window Shading and Glazing
  • Christian Birmingham's World of Fantasty
    Christian Birmingham's World of Fantasty
  • My quest for the BEST organic, natural lipstick: RMS Wild With Desire verses Ilia
    My quest for the BEST organic, natural lipstick: RMS Wild With Desire verses Ilia
  • "Soft Sea" and "The Inn at Cape May": new paintings
    "Soft Sea" and "The Inn at Cape May": new paintings

Archives

Listen to the Podcast

[convertkit form=5087986]

Powered by WordPress.com.

 

Loading Comments...