Peacocks, Sea Serpents, Fear, and Possibility

"Sea Serpent", watercolor and pen and ink, Jessica Libor 2009

Fear…so many times we let it define what we do and more importantly, do not do.  Sometimes we by default let it run our lives, thinking by not making a decision or not daring to do we’re doing the wise or safe thing, or are putting off a decision.  When in reality, we’re really making a decision right there…by not following through or not going for it.

      We all have dreams we long for; and I believe they’re put there by God for a real reason.  Given to us for something to shoot for, like stars to guide us along the journey of this life.  Dreams that aren’t meant to be silenced by letting life slip into the mundane, dreams silenced so long that eventually they are too late to awaken.

       Italy has been a dream for me since I don’t even know when.  The marble columns, the centuries of civilization, sweeping architecture, the birthplace of art, the romance and charm of a culture so different, apparently, than America (not that I don’t love America—don’t get me wrong!  I do, and will miss celebrating 4^th of July here).  Of course there is fear and risk involved with any endeavor; any number of things could go wrong.  But a greater fear than this is the unlived life, of looking back and not making full use of every moment and opportunity, in all of its beauty and brevity.   I hope reading this inspires you to look inside you again and acknowledge the dream that may be hiding there.  It’s there for a purpose, guaranteed, and the world will never know it’s there until you show them, and not give up.

I am incredibly grateful and excited about this opportunity to study in Italy, and will be sharing with you everything I can about all I learn and see. I’ll be over there for a month.  Keep coming back for updates!  I’ll be looking forward to sharing with you.

"Peacock of Mine", pen and ink sketch, copyright Jessica Libor2009

Narnian Art

In my last post I mentioned how I enjoyed CS Lewis’s writings, particularly his series on Narnia.  Part of the reason I enjoy his writings is because he paints vivid mental pictures that just beg to be brought to life.  I would like to share with you some outstanding conceptual work by Justin Sweet inspired by the books.  Prepare to be blown away by Justin Sweet’s work–visit it at www.justinsweet.com.  This is the guy whose conceptual art is the vision for the Hollywood movies currently being made from the Chronicles of Narnia series.

Although I may be wrong, these pieces look like they were done as digital paintings using a Wacom tablet and perhaps sketching and watercolor done underneath before scanning.  If you are curious about this technique, you can check out Justin Gerard’s blog as he uses this method.  Find out more at http://quickhidehere.blogspot.com/

But whatever you do–don’t miss www.justinsweet.com.  This is some of the most amazing art I’ve ever seen.

Hope you enjoyed these gems as  I did!

Brevity

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

Behold a recently completed commission on the subject of the brevity of youth and life.  I must say this one was a bit heavy of a theme for what I usually paint, but I chose to dwell more on the subject’s face and surreal surroundings.  And it is a good reminder: if all of us must die, no matter how young and how much life seems before us, then it is up to us to use our time here on this earth wisely and not waste a second. 

 

Detail, "Brevity"

        As I painted this piece I listened to the whole of CS Lewis’s “The Magician’s Nephew”.  I’ll admit–think it juvenile all you like–that CS Lewis’s books for children have remained favorites of mine.  I like that the older you get the more you understand beneath the layers of his stories.  And one part of the story–the Wood Between the Worlds–I believe found its way into this painting “Brevity”:

“The trees grew close together and were so leafy that he could get no glimpse of the sky.  All the light was green light that came through the leaves: but there must have been a very strong sun overhead, for this green daylight was bright and warm.  It was the quietest wood you could possibly imagine.  There were no birds, no insects, no animals, and no wind.  You could almost hear the trees growing…”

–CS Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew

Cherokee Journey

 

"Cherokee Journey", 24" by 36", oil on canvas, copyright Jessica Libor 2009

This piece was alot of fun.  I just completed and delivered it for a client this week–meant for a house overlooking a lake which was once inhabited by the Cherokee tribe of Indians.

         The symbols on the canoe are the Indian symbols for “sun”, or happiness, and the seasons.  Having a good bit of Cherokee in my heritage myself, I posed for the Indian woman and a friend of mine with Native American in his background posed for the man.  He doesn’t have a ponytail and feathers in his hair in real life, however.

Pictures from Coffee Underground Exhibition

Coffee Underground Gallery Space

One of the new pieces featured at the exhibition, "Shinola", oil on canvas, 30" by 40", copyright 2009 Jessica Libor

My thanks extended to everyone who attended last night’s exhibition at Coffee Underground!  It was a great night of art, live music and lively conversation, not to mention the delicious coffee and cookies that Coffee Underground so graciously provided.  Thanks so much for coming, it was a pleasure meeting each one of you!  Enjoy these snapshots from the evening:

Coffee Underground Gallery Space

Guests enjoying the exhibition

The artist with guest and friend, Ellen Kelly

Guests at the exhibition Jon Cuenca (left) and Micah Sipe

Guests enjoying the exhibition

Charming lights at Coffee Underground

Art Exhibition at Coffee Underground-Next Wednesday!

Art Exhibition

Wednesday, June 17

7:00pm-11:00pm

Coffee underground 

gallery space

next to

Acoustic Seen

Local Musicians performing live music

Meet the Artist

Wednesday, June 17

Jessica Libor

 

Come chill at this art exhibition; an intimate setting at the Coffee Underground gallery space with live acoustic music spilling over from the performances that night. Meet the artist, enjoy coffee and pastry refreshments, and enjoy the art both new and familiar. Prints on most are for sale along with the originals. All are welcome

Fragments of Splendor and the Eden Boheme

       I recently finished a large oil piece I’m calling Fragments of Splendor.  It’s of a stained glass window I found in Charleston, and this was definitely the most complex piece I have attempted to date.  It’s 36″ by 48″, gallery wrapped canvas.

        We can only see fragments of the splendor this world was originally intended for; still we can enjoy the creation of God even as flawed as it is right now.  It is in these moments when you can see or sense this perfect beauty we were meant to enjoy that are some of life’s greatest gifts.  All art created by mortal humans is merely a dim reflection of the work of that of the greatest Artist of all.

"Fragments of Splendor", oil on canvas, 36" by 48", copyright Jessica Libor 2009

     I just returned from Charleston again; this time it was a quick trip to drop off my work at the Eden Boheme.  They’re currently displaying ten of my pieces; six oils and four watercolor/ink fashion sketches.  Check it out:

"Ruffles and Roses", mixed media, 8" by 10", copyright Jessica Libor 2009

"Sea Mist", mixed media, 8" by 10", copyright Jessica Libor 2009

"Silken Sage", mixed media, 8" by 10", copyright Jessica Libor 2009

"Violetta", mixed media, 8" by 10", copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Four fashion plates at the Eden Boheme

"Sonnets" at the Eden Boheme