Tag Archives: painting

The special challenges of the feminine artist

16 Tuesday Feb 2021

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 In a few weeks, I will be opening a new course that will be my most comprehensive course yet, especially for feminine, contemporary realist artists who are ready to make the next three months a flowering and growth like never before of their artistic practice and career. This course is open to both men and women but is written for people who create in an emotional, feminine, way in their art.

 I have experienced first hand the unique challenges that feminine, empathetic people face in the art world.  Some of these setbacks are self imposed, and others are external.  Tell me, have you ever felt like this?

1. You find yourself struggling to share your work because it is so close to your heart and emotional to you.  You fear being hurt if you expose yourself.

2. You are drawn to representing pretty things, love painting fashion, romance, motherhood and other “soft” subjects, that you fear the art world will never take seriously, but that touch your heart and bring you joy.

3. You are overwhelmed with the business side of art. When it comes to taxes, keeping inventory, marketing and advertising, you would rather just go back to the studio, put on some beautiful music and get lost in your painting again.  You feel like you’re not good at that stuff. ( Or is it that you have just been socialized to believe that? )

4.  You struggle with pricing your work over a certain price point because it then crosses the threshold into making serious money.  
( Is my art worth that? What if I make more than my partner and am no longer the feminine one? What if someone tells me it’s not worth that much? What if I intimidate people? Will people laugh at me? I will no longer be a cute, approachable artist if I ask people to pay this much! )

5. You struggle with feeling like you have to choose between a traditional family or a soaring career. 

6.  You feel like you never have enough time to expand your career because you are taking care of other people and things, and have given so much of yourself in other areas.


(Above) Portrait of Fanny Eaton, be Simeon Solomon

7.  Sometimes you feel like your desire to have a great, successful career is selfish.

8.  You often damper down your femininity in life and in your art because you do not want to appear silly, especially in a male-dominated art world.

9.  Sometimes you struggle to take yourself and your ambitions seriously because you have been brought up to believe that art is not a serious profession.

10.  You feel things very deeply, whether that be your cycle each month, the fluctuations within your family or romantic relationship, and world events, all of which impact and sometimes immobilize your creativity.

If you recognize yourself in any of these things, just know that you are not alone.  I have spoken to many feminine people who have felt these unique challenges. 



  But, we ALSO have unique strengths in the art world that are invaluable, which I will be covering in my next letter!

In the meantime, if this course sounds like it is of interest to you, please join the waiting list to be kept abreast of all developments (you can join the waitlist HERE, with no commitment of any kind).

I would also love to hear from you.  What unique struggles have you faced as a feminine artist? Do these challenges resonate with you? What have I left out?

Sending you light, love, and creativity,

Jessica Libor
Artist and Artistic Coach
The Visionary Artist’s Salon

Drawings in this email are from the Birmingham Museum of Art, used with permission.

I’m exhibiting in “Spring Valentine” with Era Contemporary Gallery

10 Wednesday Feb 2021

Posted by in art, Exhibitions

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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.

Browse Spring Valentine Exhibit

I am continuing to work on my art for my solo show on April 30th, WILDLOVE. To register for this live, virtual event, click the image below!

Have a wonderful weekend!

With light, love, and creativity,

Visual Artist

www.jessicalibor.com

Why it’s not selfish to want success as an artist and how to stop feeling guilty

09 Tuesday Feb 2021

Posted by in How To, Inspiration

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Do you ever feel like it is selfish of you to strive for success as an artist?

Believe me, I’ve felt the unspoken judgement of wanting to climb the ladder of artistic success so much that I believed it was wrong of me to want it.  
Especially as a female, it was expected that I wouldn’t be quite as ambitious as the male artists around me.  And if I was, I was selfish for wanting more, or agressive.  Sound familiar?

 Success can mean more money, selling your work for high prices, being affiliated with more high end exhibitions, getting more press, more autonomy with your time,  or any number of markers that you set for your self.  

Whatever your goals for artistic success and stardom, most of us dream of reaching some level of acclaim, which translates rewards that are not just tangible.  In fact, we aren’t actually after the tangible things at all.  Let’s take a look at two of the markers of success and what they give us intangibly.

  1. Money: when we get more money, especially a lot of it, there is less worry about being able to cover the bills. There is also less stress about having to, say, work at a day job you don’t like, feeling like you are draining your life away and counting the hours until you can leave.  So, the intangible benefits of money that we are really after are 1. the feeling of security and safety, and 2. The freedom to do what we want with our time, and hence, our lives.
  1. Press and High End Exhibitions, or Acclaim: when we are written about in the press in glowing terms, or are included in an exhibition with well respected peers, or given a big solo show by a high end gallery, this translates into a feeling of respect.  Respect for us, respect for our work, and it’s the world saying “Your work matters”.  This feels good because we all want our work and lives to matter and to contribute positively to the world.  So the payoff for acclaim is feeling worthy and respected.

It’s not bad to want to reach a level of success as an artist.  All this means is that you are striving for security, freedom, and respect within your life—and to soar as high as you can go.  Also consider how good can be done by successful people with a kind heart.  If you have a lot of monetary success, fame, or acclaim, you have the power to donate money to great causes, and have a platform that people will listen to.  Your art will be seen by many and so can inspire and give hope to many more people than if you were not well known.  And, monetarily, you will not have to be dependent on others to care for you, instead you will be able to provide for yourself, your family, and future generations, which is a massive gift that truly changes lives.

You can also stand up to your fullest height and execute your most ambitious, creative visions because you have wealth and support, that would never happen if you were struggling.  

So, when you find yourself feeling guilty for wanting to be successful as an artist, or feeling selfish for wanting the money and acclaim that come with success in the art world, check yourself! Because I would flip that script and say it is actually the most selfless thing you can do to pursue success in the arts, whatever that means to you.

Let me know how this landed with you, I’d love to hear from you.  And just so you know, I will be launching my newly filmed and fully automated signature course, Artist Soul Mastery Academy, in March.  You  can join the waitlist now.

With light, love and creativity,

You’re invited to my upcoming virtual exhibition, WILDLOVE

04 Thursday Feb 2021

Posted by in art, Exhibitions, In My Studio, Inspiration

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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.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR WILDLOVE SOLO SHOW

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!

BROWSE WORKS ON PAPER

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.

Visual Artist

www.jessicalibor.com

Winter 2021 classes taught by Jessica Libor are open for enrollment

06 Wednesday Jan 2021

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I’m excited to announce that I will be teaching several classes both in person and online this winter! I am listing the links and descriptions here below, but if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at jlibor@jessicalibor.com. Any in person class will require masks for all attendees and myself. I hope to see you this new year! 🙂

“ONSITE (IN-PERSON) EXPLORING DRAWING AND MATERIALS” at the Main Line Art Center, Tuesday evenings February 23–March 23, 2021. In this class, students will explore the basics of drawing, including line, shape, proportion, and texture. We will also use different materials, such as colored pencils, inks, pastels, and charcoal, to create floral subjects and object still lifes. The goal is to get comfortable using a variety of mediums and, most importantly, have fun! To learn more and register click here.

“ONSITE (IN-PERSON) EXPLORING WATERCOLOR AND INKS” at the Main Line Art Center, Tuesday evenings January 12-February 9th 2021. In this class, students will explore water-based medias, learning to paint from delicate masterworks that exemplify brushy watercolor and ink techniques. All reference photos will be provided. Expect to come away inspired and refreshed after having fun creating beautiful and whimsical paintings. To register and learn more click here!

“ONLINE ZOOM CLASS: PASTEL PAINTING” with the Norristown Art League, Fridays 1-3pm, 2 session options 5 weeks each. Session 1: January 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19th. Session 2: March 5, 12, 19, 26 and April 2. Great for beginners!

In this class, students will learn the basics of using pastels to create a beautiful pastel artwork of a landscape (image provided).  Topics covered will include composition, color usage, blending the medium, and special effects unique to pastels.  Suitable for beginning to intermediate artists with no experience necessary with pastels. It is recommended you have a laptop or tablet to virtually attend the class. To register and find out more, click here!

“IN-PERSON, ONSITE: WATER MEDIAS” at the Norristown Art League. Max 8 students and masks required. Monday • 5-weeks • 2 to 4 pm. 2 Session options! Session 1: January 18, 25, Feb 1, 8, 15. Break: February 22
Session 2: March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

In this class, students explore a unique way to use watercolor and ink mediums!  Using techniques from the Rococo time period in France, we will layer ink and watercolor to create lush, delicate paintings of landscapes inspired by the artists Boucher and Fragonard (reference images provided). To learn more and register click here.

“ONLINE SELF-PACED: DISCOVERING YOUR ARTISTIC VOICE” with Jessica Libor Studio and the Visionary Artist’s Salon. A guided pre-recorded video course hosted by Jessica for artists to discover their unique style, based on their preferences, personality, values and spirit. Discovering Your Artistic Voice is made up of 7 Modules with 3 lessons within each module.  These include video and slideshow lectures, pdf downloadable worksheets, and surveys–all designed to help you spring forward and focus your creativity quickly! Best of all, it’s yours to replay and come back to whenever you like. To learn more or register, click here!

No one is born a master artist

28 Monday Dec 2020

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Michaelangelo’s Sistine Chapel detail

When I get overwhelmed by the amount of masterpieces in the world, from the vast repository of master works made through the centuries, to the incredible dedication and talent of people working today in the arts, it can be tempting to say “What can I do?” and “How can I ever compare?”

When I feel this way, it helps to remember two points.

First of all, the impact of art is not measured by technical perfection alone. As a realist artist, it can be tempting to say “If I just get better with my technique, learn more about color theory, or master light…then my art will be truly impactful”. And while it will certainly IMPROVE the quality of my art to learn new things, art is not about how perfectly you can copy reality.

It is also about the human impulse, the recording of your feelings and sentient thought, the capturing of the energy and imagination of the artist. This can be done sometimes by just a few lines (Think of Matisse’s ink drawings!) So sometimes it’s not about the technical brilliance–it’s about tapping into your heart and your emotions and letting that come out onto your art.

Mattisse Drawing

Second, I like to remind myself that art is a journey and each artist goes through different stages of development. We learn and we grow through each phase of life. And no artist was born knowing how to create a masterpiece. They all studied, practiced, failed, tried again, and again, and by doing more and more and refining their process, eventually they were able to gain the skills and confidence to produce the beautiful works we love today, like the Sistine Chapel. Do you think Michaelangelo could have executed that at 5 years old? No–he had to learn the skills to do this.

So, when you are feeling down on yourself, just remember art is a skill just like anything else that takes practice. It’s up to you to decide how much time, energy and learning you would like to put into it. I promise you the more energy you put in, the more amazing results you’ll get!

How will you further your studies this week?

For those interested, I have a course you can take here!

Have a wonderful week,

Jessica

October Inspiration

28 Wednesday Oct 2020

Posted by in In My Studio, Inspiration, lifestyle

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The leaves are falling and turning gorgeous colors, but the cold weather has begun to settle in.  The air is crisp and at night you may smell bonfires drifting on the air under the stars.  We are in the heart of autumn!
This has always been for me a time to turn inward, and take stock of how my creativity and artistic goals for the year are going. This year has obviously been very different and challenging, but I take comfort in the fact that we can control our own little corner of the world…for me, my home and studio.

By making my time at home and in the studio as comforting and pleasurable as I can, I create a little oasis of respite from the world. The warmth of lit candles adds a pretty glow, pretty rocks I pick up on my daily walks are arranged artfully, and incense fills the air. I listen to lilting music to put me in a good mood (current fave playlist is French Cafe on Spotify!).

I’ve been taking rambling walks near my studio and marveling at the golden leaves falling against the blue sky. So much beauty in every phase of the year! In my studio, I’ve begun working on a series of paintings for a solo show in April called Wildlove. More details to come as we get closer to the date!

I’ve also been focusing on something quite different, abstract pieces for a pre-holiday collection along with a line of wearable clothing. More details to come this month!

In other news, The Mythical Sea collection of available work on my website will be retiring soon. There are still a few pieces available, so take a look and see if you would like to snatch anything before it’s gone! Click here to shop.

Until next week, wishing you gentle and peaceful days,

Who were the Pre-Raphaelites? Inspiration behind the upcoming exhibit, The New Pre-Raphaelites

19 Saturday Sep 2020

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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 Libor
Transformation, 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.

Jessica Libor

www.jessicalibor.com

The Mythical Sea: Virtual Exhibition and Artist Talk for Charity

22 Monday Jun 2020

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sea nymph 1

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!

Purchase your ticket by clicking here. 

Jessica Libor is an award winning artist from Philadelphia, PA. Find out more about her at http://www.jessicalibor.com.

Artist, Reader, Writer Exhibition

29 Wednesday Jan 2020

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Hello friends, I am excited to let you know that my piece “Prima Donna”, is being exhibited at the Da Vinci Art Alliance for their exhibition “Artist, Reader, Writer II.”  This is a very unique exhibition that pairs the artwork of many different artists with a passage from literature of the artist’s choosing.  As for “Prima Donna”, I chose a passage from The Phantom of the Opera, as it reminded me of a scene from the story.

Libor_Jessica_Prima_Donna_oilandgoldleafonpanel_11x14_$1900

Prima Donna, oil and gold leaf on panel, by Jessica Libor

 

If you are interested in collecting this piece please send me an email at jlibor@jessicalibor.com.

Artist, Reader, Writer II is a DVAA Members-only exhibition that explores the relationship between the written word and visual art through an exercise of comparison. Each artist submitted two items: an original artwork of their own creation, and a short accompanying text displayed next to their work of art that is not of their own creation. The union formed between the two objects creates a new conceptual relationship, altering the experience of viewing artwork with the addition of written language. The relationships formed through these pairings offer context, juxtapose, balance, obscure, and generate new meaning.

DVAA gallery shot

The DVAA 

 

The opening for the exhibition is on Wednesday, January 28th from 6 to 8pm at the Da Vinci Art Alliance, at 704 Catharine Street, Philadelphia.  The show is up until February 16th, so it’s a perfect art happening for Valentine’s day!  To learn more about the show and gallery, visit here.

The participating artists are as follows: Alessandra Stradella, Angelo Benedetto, Annie Stone, Arlene Solomon, Barbara B. Rosin, Barbara Dirnbach, Catherine Bancroft, David Deakin, Deirdre Doyle, Don Gordon, Eddy Rhenals, Edward W Keer, Eleanor Levie, Ellen Rosenberg, Erika Kuciw, Florence Weisz, Floyd Kelley, Gary Grissom, Gillian Cavoto, Gloria Klaiman, Harriet Hill, Irving Sears, Jennifer Brinton Robkin, Jessica Libor, Jill Cucci Smith, Jim Strickler, Joellyn Ross, Juli Snyder, Kenneth Veith, Kit Donnelly, Lauren J. Sweeney, Leslie K. Brill, Linda Dubin Garfield, Linnie Greenberg, Marilyn Stubblebine, Mario Nascati, Maryanne Buschini, Nancy E Cooke, Ona Kalstein, Patricia Mancini, Penelope Tsaltas Lisk, Phyllis Anderson, Polly Kooperman, Rachael Switalski, Reyna Howkins, Robert Zurer, Rosalind Bloom, Sally K. Eisenberg, Sam Koren, Sandi Neiman Lovitz, Sarah R. Bloom, Selene Nunez Cruz, Susan Cantor-Uccelletti, Susan M. Gordon, Ted Warchal, Tony Anthony, Vicente Ortiz Cortez, Willard Johnson, and William Timmins.