Preparations…

Lily and Christina-getting the promo packets ready!

Promotional packets tied with ribbons

Promotional Packets

Paintings hung at Zen

Show hung at Zen

Small works hung at Zen

Today was more preparations for the show…finalizing promotional packets with Lily and Christina at Lily Pottery studio, finishing hanging at Zen, and many more details…it’s coming together!  We are all so excited for Thursday night.  More pictures to come!

Thoughts on Beauty

Degas

“In one sense nothing is commonplace, for everything exists visibly by means of light and color, and light and color are the most fundamental beauties.”

-Daniel Parkhurst, from The Painter In Oil

“Beauty is unbearable, drives us to despair, offering us for a minute the glimpse of an eternity we should like to stretch out over the whole of time.”

-Albert Camus, from Notebooks.


Glass Terrariums

Tom Scheerer, designer: a beautiful interior.

I fell in love with this picture the moment I saw it.  I love the style of this room:  the vintage mixed with the modern, the lightness of the mirror, the implied texture of the animal rug on the wooden floors, the glass chandelier, the color of the walls…and last but not least, the living greenery on the table.  It brings an element to change, growth and Eden-like quality to the room.

Recently, while getting ready for Art for Hearts Benefit Show, my own home’s interior was neglected a bit, in favor or the pressing to do list.  However, this picture above inspired me to change it up.  What I love about being an artist, and always having exhibitions, is that I constantly have a stream of art going in and out of the house, lending a degree of continuum and change to the interior design.  Every month the look changes.  And this time, since Art for Hearts presentation called for no frames, I have a few glorious frames lying around the house.  I decided to experiment and let my avante-garde side come out.  Thus, I now have my own tiny terrarium garden full of little growing succulent plants (a surprisingly cheap thing to create, but with an absolutely charming visual impact) and the walls are framed with…frames.  I’m delighting in the new decor, and am too excited about it not to share!

A tiny garden: Terrariums

Terrariums, glass droplets and an empty frame.

Dining room's new decor.

Abstract and vintage, all at once!

My delightful new terrariums :)

Setting Up

Setting up at Zen

Today was an exciting step in setting up for the show Art for Hearts–I took my pieces over to Zen, and spoke with the very kind director about the flow of the body of work and the hanging process of the pieces.  A preview of the space above at Zen–not quite set up yet, but getting there.  More progress to come!

Sugar and Ice

After the ice storm

Beauty makes me happy, whatever form it may come in.  And today was an unexpected transformation of the landscape I live in . . . from a dreary winter town, to a shimmering, gossamer fairyland.  I awoke to the ground covered in a few inches dusting of whitest snow, and the trees coated in reflective ice, dripping liquid crystals into the snow beneath.  Each branch, down to the tiniest detail, was brushed with glitter and sugar, and sparkled in the clear sun.  The whole landscape suddenly looked unusually clean, like a fresh start, a bright new beginning.  The clouds were piled like cotton low in the sky, feathery and bright, and above the sky was the lightest, freshest blue, pale like a bird’s fragile egg.  All combined, it made me smile and soak it in, letting the feeling of the images rest in my mind so I would remember it.  I hope these pictures I took convey a little bit of the wonder of this morning’s ice show.

Clouds over ice

Trees glittering in the sun

On another note, I have discovered an absolutely delicious shop on Etsy–specializing in custom tailored dresses for women and their inner princess.  The artistry that it takes to design and create such concoctions takes skill, creativity and a beautiful vision.  Not only do I love the designs, but the photographer is someone I have mentioned before (GalaxieAndrews).

billowing skirts, Ouma Clothing, Galaxieandrews photography

Pink skirt, Ouma Clothing, GalaxieAndrews Photography

In the Photo Booth, Ouma Clothing, GalaxieAndrews Photography

A very pretty dress, Ouma Clothing, GalaxieAndrews Photography. (I like her tatoo)

Dark and Light, Ouma Clothing, GalaxieAndrews Photography

The pretty version of the mad hatter, Ouma Clothing, GalaxieAndrews Photography

Summer Reading, Ouma Clothing, GalaxieAndrews Photography

Pink Baloon, Ouma Clothing, GalaxieAndrews Photography

Enjoy Ouma’s shop by clicking on the link below:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ouma

Art for Hearts Invitation

You are invited to view and purchase new works from area artists Jessica Libor, Christina Nicole, and Lily Stratton at Art for Hearts, an elegant event focusing on the goal of giving back to those in need.

Jessica Libor will have over twenty new fine art pieces exhibited of all different sizes, and Lily Pottery and Christina Nicole will have their unique, handmade jewelry on display.

Thursday, February 11, 6:00-9:00pm, at Zen, with complimentary hors d’oeuvres.

25% of proceeds benefit Pediatric Cardiology of the Greenville Hospital System.

Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 3 to Casey Smith at csmith@gvillemag.com or 864-335-0600 ext 217.

Visit the artist’s websites to see their work:

Jessica Libor Fine Art
http://www.jessicalibor.com
http://www.dreamingradiance.wordpress.com

Christina Nicole Studios
http://www.christinanicoledesigns.com/

Lily Pottery
http://lilypottery.com/
See you there!

And below, a few of my new pieces that will be a part of the exhibition:

Mime, oil on canvas, copyright Jessica Libor 010

Paper Lanterns, oil on canvas, 36" by 48", copyright Jessica Libor 2010

Red Satin, oil on canvas, 24" by 36", copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Southampton, oil on canvas, 36" by 60", copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Autumn Fire, oil on canvas, 36" by 60", copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Ethereal, oil on canvas, 36" by 48", copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Symphony of the Sea-Cobalt and Gold, oil on canvas, copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Evening Lights on Main, oil on canvas, 36" by 48", copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Sunrise Tree, 4" by 6", oil on canvas, copyright Jessica Libor 2010

Flight, 5" by 7", oil on canvas, copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Scotland Arrival, oil on canvas, 5" by 7", copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Winter, oil on canvas, 5" by 7", copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Sea Mist, 6" by 8", oil on canvas, copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Violet Stars, oil on canvas, copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Getting Ready: Art for Hearts

Art for Hearts Logo, copyright Jessica Libor 2010

The excitement is building!  Yesterday I lined up all the pieces I plan to have at the Art for Hearts Benefit Exhibition.  I’ll have over twenty original oils available for purchase, all varying in size and price.  What I’ll be working on for the next couple of weeks are a series of very small paintings, tiny gems, that are available as very affordable pieces for the collector.  These, too, I plan to have at the exhibition.  I’ll be sharing more details later this week, and soon be sending out official invitations!  Hold your breath for an event to remember this Valentine’s Day weekend.

Getting ready...excited for the show!

Celebrate Valentine’s Day by helping young hearts. G Magazine, Zen, and Table 301 present “Art for Hearts,” an the opportunity to view and purchase new works from area artists Jessica Libor, Lily Stratton, and Christina Sawicki. Light hors d’oeuvres will accompany a cash bar. Twenty-five percent of the proceeds from the event benefit the Pediatric Cardiology unit of Greenville Hospital System.

Zen, 924 S. Main St. Greenville, SC. Thursday, February 11, 2010 6-9pm. Free, with complimentary refreshments, and artwork for sale. (864)335-0600,http://www.gvillemag.com/

Mime, Finished!

Mime, oil on canvas, copyright Jessica Libor 2010

Finished!  After one more day working intently on this painting from morning until late at night, Mime is finally complete.  Signing a painting is a good feeling.

Mime, detail, oil on canvas, copyright Jessica Libor 2010

Mime, detail, oil on canvas, copyright Jessica Libor 2010

Mime, detail, oil on canvas, copyright Jessica Libor 2010

I worked from a photograph with this painting, changing very little from the picture that I took.  I glimpsed this girl dressed as a mime in Edinburgh, Scotland while walking the streets of the festival they hold every summer.  This festival involves singing, dancing and theatre performances in the streets and local venues.  The streets are lined with young talent hoping that you’ll come to their performance, handing out brochures and invitations, and dressed in strange and fantastic costume.  This girl stood out to me because she did not badger us as others did; rather she extended an invitation and waited for those interested to take it.  And for that very reason, she stood out in my memory above those who hounded people for attention.  This painting will be on display at the Art for Hearts Benefit Exhibition coming up Valentine’s Day weekend on February 11th.

One related piece done over a year ago was of another young performer seen just a few minutes earlier on the same street.  Notice, they both have red hair.  Such a rich, striking color to paint.  However, having learned much this past year, I see this painting (titled Richard Hardisty) and notice what I would do differently had I begun the same painting now.  It is good, I believe, to retain a slight sense of possibility with your work–keep the sense that there is always more to learn, further to go.  It’s a good thing to be always growing, and I am grateful for everything I’ve had the chance to study and learn this past year.  Excited for what 2010 holds!

Richard Hardisty, oil on canvas, 24" by 36", copyright Jessica Libor 2008

Mime: Step Five

Mime, unfinished, oil on canvas, copyright Jessica Libor 2010

After the fifth day working on it–worked on the shadows, her skin tone and subtleties, her eyes, hair, and more details on the clothing. Only a few more days to go.  Enjoying the different dynamic of this painting than my usual subjects, and bringing it to life.

Mime: Step Four

Mime, unfinished, oil on canvas, copyright Jessica Libor 2010

A bit further on the Mime painting yesterday: mostly I focused on the shirt, skirt and face.  Slowly but surely it’s coming along, but it still has a ways to go…more to come!