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Jessica Libor

~ Studio Journal

Jessica Libor

Tag Archives: travel

A quiet moment in France

20 Tuesday Nov 2018

Posted by Jessica Libor in Inspiration, Journeys, lifestyle

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

art, castle, france, inspiration, travel

A moment of stolen reflection during last summer’s trip to France. The French value beauty in everything they do and build; it is an integral part of their culture and history, which makes visiting the country a dream and such an inspiration for an artist. I love the preserved old world architecture, the attention to detail and artistry everywhere I looked. Where are your favorite spots to travel to for inspiration?

Sister love

06 Thursday Sep 2018

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

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etretat, family, france, love, mont st michel, sisters, travel

lauren and jess at etretatlauren and jess at mont st michel

When I think of my sister, I think of someone inspiring and fearless, with the courage to make her dreams real.  I also think of growing up together and being each other’s company and playmate, partnering in creating fantastic worlds out of our imagination, playing for hours in the backyard under the trees, and growing up together.  We are similar and different in many ways, and that makes our bond so special.    Love you Lauren Fair and I’m so glad we just happened to be in the same family!  A few snaps from the trip to France earlier this month, which was a dream.  And PS–Check out her photography here–she’s amazing!

The definition of romance

16 Thursday Aug 2018

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

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beautiful, beauty, creativity, france, french, inspiration, loire valley, normandy, romance, romantic, travel, wellness

Processed with VSCO with fr4 preset

The definition of romance: to make special.  The romantic life, then, is making each moment, person, and experience special, everything you do with love and intention, to create a life filled with romance.  From France at the dreamiest Chateau ever, I felt like I was in a Bronte novel!  The French certainly know a thing or two about living romantically.  Where is your favorite place you have stayed?  This was certainly it for me!

Treasure each moment

05 Sunday Aug 2018

Posted by Jessica Libor in beauty, Inspiration, Journeys, lifestyle, Uncategorized

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creative, fashion, france, inspiration, life, loire valley, mindfulness, peace, philosophy, rest, travel, vintage, wellness, white dress

Jessica in Pink Room

Treasure each moment in the stream of time, for once you pass this way, the water is always different, always moving ,always new, even if you dip your hand in the same place.  The only constant is change.  Find peace in the moving rhythm of time by soaking in each moment’s beauty and feeling its wonder or pain fully.  Then your life will be really full, extraordinary in its depth of experience, even if not what the world may deep accomplished.  There is an integrity and quiet happiness when you savor each moment, that you can take with you whenever you go.  Doing small things with great attention.  Here, a picture from the Loire Valley, France in a pink-paneled room I loved staying in earlier this month.  And today in the USA, watching the lightning for a moment out my window before painting.  What small things give you great joy in life?

Revelations of Traveling

16 Thursday Feb 2017

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

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Tags

arch street press, bern, city of fountains, philosophy, social entrepreneurship, social innovation, switzerland, travel, venice

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Venice

This month  I had the great fortune to travel to Switzerland, Italy, and Greece.  This marvelous stroke of good luck was sponsored by a company–sending a friend of mine on business, and me as a lucky and grateful plus one.

Honestly, I didn’t think much about if the trip would change me.  I was too busy tying up loose ends at home and preparing for the trip to think about it.  And finishing a large commission for a restaurant, curating an exhibition, and exhibiting a show of my own at the hospital all had me busy to the point of distraction right up until the night of.

We began the long journey to Switzerland the next day–a taxi ride, and a 7 hour flight, two hour train ride, and another taxi.  We arrived at night, tired and jet lagged, and didn’t get a chance to see the full impact of the city until the next day.  We were staying in Bern, Switzerland,  what is called the city of fountains, for its hundreds of preserved and working fountains found throughout the city.  From where we were staying, you could see the Swiss Alps rising above the green hills beyond the rooftops, the river winding through and reflecting the sky as it has for centuries.  From the rose gardens you could see the red clay rooftops of the city pile up on each other in neat, twisty rows, little tendrils of smoke wafting up into the sky.  It was brisk weather, but enjoyable–I spent hours painting the landscapes from the gardens, and down in the city, the cathedrals.  What I found the most interesting about each of the places we visited was the way that they felt.  Each country, and even city, seems to have its own unique flavor and culture, a mood that you get walking through it.   I noticed how the Swiss acted: they were quiet, but seemed happy, not an especially boisterous people, but with a great deal of personal dignity.  Talking with some of the citizens there, most of the people seemed extremely happy with their life, and happy with thier government.  For all its gingerbread, fairy-tail beauty, though, Bern was a practical city.  People in suits rushed about during the day, and the tourists were not obvious.  It was not particularly artsy, either, at least as far as  I could see.  There seemed to be a celebration of commerce in modern life, and art was mostly relegated to the museums and postcards, a historical novelty.  I did happen across one particularly wonderful exhibition in a gallery tucked out of the way–an Asian influenced artist, Tran Phuc Duyen, who recently died, leaving an attic full of undiscovered works.  He lived in the attic of a castle within Bern for forty years of his life, sponsored by a wealthy patron, working in gold leaf resin.  His early works were detailed and magical, his later works, inspired by meditation, were simple, stunning, luminescent.

Early work of Tran
Early work of Tran
Late work of Tran
Late work of Tran
My watercolors done in Switzerland
My watercolors done in Switzerland

Venice was the next stop. When first coming off the train and seeing my first glimpse, I thought I must be looking at a painting, or a movie set.  This place couldn’t possibly be for real.  It was too ornate, to unbelievable, sitting over the turquoise waters with its arches and parapets.   But it was real, and as we rolled our luggage through the puddled streets, I realized that it was ALL like this, not just a small part.  It truly felt like stepping back in time.  A city built starting in the 5th century A.D., it was quite old, and you could feel the ancient history pressing in on you as you walk through: the windows that have seen a million things, good and bad, the revelers, the masked mobs, the wars, the loves, the corruptions.  It was almost eerie how little in the place was modernized.   For the few days we stayed there, I soaked up as much of the city as  I could.  There seemed to be endless things to see.  The museums alone could take up a month of days.  For me, the strongest impression came when  I visited the Doge’s Palace (another name for their government) and St. Mark’s Basilica in one day.  First, St. Mark’s Basilica–unbelievably ornate, with four marble horses perched atop its high balcony.  When I stood inside, I felt as though a thousand years were housed there, in this church, and the heaviness of the feeling struck me.  It was hard to breathe in there, and one felt a certain atmosphere of mystery.  It was dark, the ceilings high and patterned with millions of reflective tiles, and yet the shadowy feeling was strong.  I felt like Indiana Jones–like I might step on the wrong tile and a trap door would open up, or the bones of Mark the Apostle would be revealed (they are housed there on the altar).  I can still go back there to that hushed, heavy atmosphere in my mind.  It was there that I started to realize just how old the city was, and feel the weight of the ages on me.

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Inside the Basilica

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Etching of the fire

In the Doge’s Palace, I went through the rooms not knowing what to expect.  I went through room after room elegantly carved and painted, reading the plaques of what happened there, what bodies of government, and certain historical facts.  One particularly interesting fact was that with certain jury bodies in Venice, everyone was required to wear masks.  I had always thought of the Venice masks as more of a party, revelry-style accessory for fun, but to learn that government bodies used them for hundreds of years in order to protect the judges from identification, was fascinating.  As I walked through the halls, I came across a small drawing of a fire that happened in the palace.  It was drawn from the square, and showed fire coming out of the windows and buildings cracking and falling, and people running.  It was so detailed and felt, that all of a sudden I realized that THIS HAD HAPPENED, not just in history books, but this city had a history of centuries and centuries before me.  All these people had lived and died here, people like me, who worked and dreamed and loved and fought and hoped.  I realized I was connected, like the people who had gone before me had lived, and had passed the baton to me, to you, to this living generation.  It’s hard to describe, but it’s like my mind and body realized all at once how long history was, how many people had lived, and actually felt and realized it, not just knew it in my head.  It’s as Lera Aurbach says in her book “Excess of Being”, “Time doesn’t change.  Time stands still.  We change. We pass. We are passing time.”

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venice-paradise-tintoretto-3-1-of-1

I was still wondering from this revelation as I wandered into the next room, and stared in awe.  It was the most ornate, overly-decorated, mammoth of a room I had ever seen.  The ceiling, even though it was high, seemed to press down on you, because of the amount of gold leaf, carvings, and paintings on it.  I turned around and saw the staggeringly huge Paradise painting by Tintoretto, his last major work.  I stood marveling at the magnitude and quality of the artwork surrounding me, and was humbled by the realization that this was done hundreds of years ago.  Could we, with all of our mobile accessories and distractions and Netflix and computers and technology, come close as artists to the passion and dedication needed to complete such a task as this?  Perhaps, it is because of this lack of distractions, that work like this could be completed with such intensity.  And what will I, what will you do, to bring value to the human race as this has?  The question I asked myself not harshly, but gently, for when much is given, much is required of us.  We are blessed with a more cushioned life than most in the US in this century–longer lives, healthier bodies, more education, easier transportation and workload.  What, then can we give back to others, to society, to make the world even better?  This is the question I ask of myself, and of everyone else alive today, to make use of the time we have been given, while we hold the baton.

venice-stairs-1-of-1

At the Teatro de Venice, the oldest opera house

 

 

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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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.

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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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