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

Some paintings just seem to go faster than others, for one reason or another.  This one went faster than average just because I was so enthralled with the subject matter and mood of the painting.  Also, the autumn colors have been all around me this month, so painting this canvas was a natural expression of the season.  Hope you enjoy where I have brought it to so far.  Nearly finished, and professional photos coming soon!

A friend showed me this video of Kseniya Simonova, a sand animator and artist. I was fascinated and riveted by her performance.  She is the 2009 winner of Ukraine’s Got Talent, Ukraine’s version of America’s Got Talent.   This particular animation portrays the USSR’s war against the Third Reich in World War II.  I hope you’re as amazed by her creativity as I was!  Click here to watch.

New cards!  Made last night by firelight.  See more details here.

Lovely Pink Peony Greeting Card

Lovely Pink Peony Greeting Card

Elegant Feather Dress Greeting Card

Elegant Feather Dress Greeting Card

Jeweled Tree Greeting Card

Jeweled Tree Greeting Card

Flight of Fancy Greeting Card

Flight of Fancy Greeting Card

A Hatful of Dreams Greeting Card

A Hatful of Dreams Greeting Card

See more designs and details on my Etsy shop here. 

I hope you each have a fantastic, beautiful day!  Thanks for visiting!

Pennsylvania Sunset-stage one. Copyright Jessica Libor 2009

              I’m excited to share with you this new painting I have begun working on this week.  It’s about half-done right now at the stage you see pictured above.  The painting is actually of the area that  I grew up in, right down the road from my childhood home in Pennsylvania.   I love the autumns there, and the wintery Christmases usually involved snow.  As the weather is getting crisper and the smell  of bonfires scents the air, I was inspired to do a landscape that would capture the spirit of late autumn.

     Speaking of which, today was the most beautiful days, weather-wise, that I have ever seen.  Lavender sunrise, firey shades of the leaves, crisp temperature and the sounds of crickets singing in the evening.  Who says only the northern states have beautiful autumns?

Southern Autumn

Edgar Degas, "Petits Rats"

I saw my first Degas while visiting the National Gallery in Washington, DC, and paused in front of it for about ten minutes, trying to capture the grace of line that Degas seems to have so flawlessly captured in his paintings of ballerinas.  His unusual use of color is worth noting–brilliant colors that cared nothing for what the critics said, but instead recreated the glow of stage lighting.  Also, take a look at his compositions.  Often, his subjects go off the canvas, giving the viewer the impression that they are just catching a momentary glimpse of the dancers, like butterflies crossing your sight-line.    I hope you enjoy these selections of Degas’ paintings.

Edgar Degas, "Ballet Dancers in Butterfly Costumes"

Edgar Degas, "Opera Diablo". Love the viewpoint from the orchestra.

Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas, "Ballet Rehearsal"

Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas

Edgar Degas--love the colors here, her white skin in the pale yellow and pink.

Edgar Degas, "Yellow Ballerina"

Looking at his paintings really makes me want to paint some ballerinas. Maybe sometime soon.  I just have to figure out a way to get backstage during a ballet …

Newly finished greeting cards!

Within the next week or two you will be able to find a flock of my cards at the Eden Boheme Boutique in Charleston, 127 King Street.  For my inspiration, I looked to some designs that their boutique has been creating.  The Eden Boheme has been creating some couture-style dresses that are absolutely gorgeous in their femininity, flattering fit and luxurious fabrics–dream dresses for the princess in you that never quite went away.  Check out their stunning designs here.

        And a few of my favorite shots of thier recent photoshoot.  All credits due for the amazing photography are given to Diana Deaver, thier very talented and visionary photographer.

Eden Boheme Fashion 1

Eden Boheme Fashion 2

Eden Boheme Fashion 3

Eden Boheme Fashion 4

I love all their designs so much, I don’t think I could pick a favorite.  Although in this last picture (4) I think the center one is pretty incredible.  

A few of the cards I finished up today!  Enjoy…

Blue Ballerina Card, copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Feather Hat Card, copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Pink Ballerina Card, copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Swavorski Gem Dress Card, copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Feather Train Card, copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Out and About Card, copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Punk Feather Card, copyright Jessica Libor 2009

Next post, I’ll be elaborating on my love of Edgar Degas and his use of color and composition in his paintings.  I can’t wait to share his inspiring work with you.  Stay posted!

"Do You Believe in Love at FIrst Sight?" by Sophie Blackall

I was charmed when I discovered this website, the creative genius of an artist in NY named Sophie Blackwell.  You’ve got to be less than human not to be struck by the pure romance of the inspiration for this artist’s work.  The cool part about her work is that her inspiration is found from moments that real people have shared, or almost shared.  You can hear the vulnerability in each one of the messages she chooses to illustrate.  As Sophie describes it :

“Messages in bottles, smoke signals, letters written in the sand; the modern equivalents are the funny, sad, beautiful, hopeful, hopeless, poetic posts on Missed Connections websites. Every day hundreds of strangers reach out to other strangers on the strength of a glance, a smile or a blue hat. Their messages have the lifespan of a butterfly. I’m trying to pin a few of them down.”

Please visit her blog and check out her work.  You’ll find yourself smiling, I promise.

Click here: http://missedconnectionsny.blogspot.com/

A more inspiring workspace

This week the studio got a bit of a makeover.  It looks like a welcoming room in the house now, instead of a makeshift workspace.  There are paintings and posters of fine art on the walls that add interest and inspiration, and the painting supplies are generally better organized.

 Part of the reason for the studio facelift was a visit from skirt! magazine.  My artist profile and photo will be in the December issue of skirt! magazine, so look for it in Charleston, Greenville, Columbia and Charlotte during the holiday season!  The photo shoot today was absolutely lovely, with Sheril Turner, the editor, and John Fowler, the photographer.  Two of the kindest, most inspiring people I’ve met.  Thanks so much for allowing me the chance to be a part of this creative, uplifting magazine.

Check out skirt! magazine online by clicking this link: www.greenville.skirt.com

You can check out John Fowler’s amazing photography (especially his Dreaming the Low Country Series) here: www.johnfowlerphotography.com

A few angles of the new and improved studio:

new studio

easel view

window corner

sale roses

And here, an update on the progress made thus far on the red satin painting:

Red Satin, Unfinished, stage 2, copyright Jessica Libor 2009

On the beach

I had the amazing opportunity this past week to go on vacation with my family on a cruise through Mexico, Cozumel and the Cayman Islands.  Among the many adventures were cave diving, driving around Mexico in an open top jeep on the back roads, sailing and snorkeling.  The crew and activities on the ship were fantastic, also, and I was delighted to find an art gallery aboard the ship.  One night, the gallery (Park West Gallery) aboard the ship had a screening of the short film Destino, a collaboration of Salvador Dali and Disney begun long ago and just finished up within the last few years.  It was fascinating and unusual, seeing the combination of Disney’s idealistic filmaking realized through the bizarre artistry of Salvador Dali.  It had the feel of a shifting dream.  Follow this link to learn more about the film:

http://boingboing.net/2009/07/07/walt-disney-and-salv.html

Also on display were some limited edition prints of Dali’s sketches, which I found particularly tempting, and probably would have bought had I planned on spending a couple thousand.  However, it was a very cool experience to see the art gallery aboard the ship and all that it had to offer.  Other than that, some images from the week:

Arriving at an island at sunrise

Me relaxing near the beach-love the yellow wall and red stairs

Pulling into the dock after sailing

Water so clear it was unreal!

"Robin", one of the crew members, copyright Jessica Libor 2009

"Lady with Bag," copyright Jessica Libor 2009

I have been waiting for a while to blog about this EXCITING event set up to happen in February 2010, but wanted to get a few more details set in stone before telling everyone.  I have been painting like crazy in order to get all the pieces I would like to have in the show dry and ready by February.

The event will be February 11 at Zen, with twenty percent of the proceeds going to benefit a local charity.  It will be called the “SweethART” Benefit, in keeping with it being the week of Valentine’s day, and the pieces shown will all have a feminine or romantic feel.  There will be pieces of many different sizes, from small to a few feet in length, so this project is keeping me very busy!

Zen--gallery space

Entrance to Zen

Another aspect of this show that has got me very excited is the collaboration of two other artists, who are fabulously talented!  Lily Stratton, of Lily Pottery, will also be participating with her adorable handmade jewelry, along with Christina Sawicki.  Christina makes delicate vintage jewelry, among her many talents.

Lily Pottery

Christina Nicole Vintage Jewelery

You can check out both girls’ websites here:

http://lilypottery.blogspot.com/

http://christinanicoledesigns.com/

I am SO excited to be working with them on this!  A special thanks to Jack Bacot and Carrie Cockrill for the effort that they have already put into this unique event.

More information and updates coming soon!

And don’t forget to tune into the radio today…106.3, 3:00pm!