"Dreamscape 1", oil on canvas, 36"x48", Jessica Libor 2011

Happy holidays to all!  I’m excited to be in the Christmas show at JAG Fine Art, on December 16th, Friday, from 6–9pm.  The gallery is at 16th and Pine Street, in Philadelphia, PA.  I’ll be exhibiting some new pieces, like the “Dreamscape 1″ above, and a more playful “Night Journey: Flying with Superman” pictured below.  This one is interesting because it’s my first sojourn into an abstract bent.  I actually found it very enjoyable…it is an experiment with gold leaf (the sparkling lights), beading, acrylic mediums and a more free way of thinking as I paint.  I’d like to find a way to incorporate the freedom of this piece into the more still realism of my other pieces.

Night Journey: Flying with Superman, 36"x48", mixed media, Jessica Libor 2011

Gentle Ben, oil on linen board, 8"x10", Jessica Libor 2011

This latest piece was done of a friend from New York.  I utilized what I learned from the workshop at the Grand Central Academy, and brought it to life by using my own color scheme and model.  The best models are always friends and people you know well, it seems.  Knowing something of the person’s inner life somehow makes the painting more interesting and detailed.  That is why nearly every painting I have done is of a friend, family member or acquaintance.

This piece is available for purchase.  Please contact me via email at jlibor@jessicalibor.com for inquiries.

St. Peter's Basilica in Gold, Jessica Libor 2011, oil on canvas, 38"x57"

Above is my most recent commission work completed.  A while back I did a version of the same image in all blues and cobalts, but I like this one much better.  And best of all, the client does as well  One of my favorite parts is the lady walking through the patch of light falling from the rotunda.  She perfectly illustrates the feeling of awe I had when walking through the space.

St. Peter's Basilica in Gold, detail

St Peter's Basilica in Gold, detail

Works for sale in the small room of JAG Fine Art

"Daydreaming" on large easel, "Masquerade" on wall behind

Red Satin, At the Gate, and Spirit of Philadelphia

Southampton, on display at JAG Fine Art September

Rapture, oil on canvas, 30"x40", on display now at JAG Fine Art

Masquerade, 12"x12", on display now at JAG Fine Art

Red Satin, oil on canvas, 24"x36", at JAG Fine Art

Daydreaming, oil on canvas, at JAG FIne Art

Gypsies, oil on canvas, 36"x48", at JAG Fine Art

Enchanted Glade, oil on canvas, 24"x36", at JAG FIne Art

Dreaming, oil on canvas, 30"x40"

November, oil on board, 20″x24″

For all inquiries about pricing and availability please contact JAG Fine Art at (215) 840-8591 or visit at 1538 Pine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102.

Maria, oil on canvas, Jessica Libor 2011

I just spent the last two weeks in New York City, taking a portrait workshop taught by the amazing painter Joshua LaRock.  It was pretty much some of the most inspiring days of my life.  Not just the school, but also the city.  The best of the best seem to congregate there.  Being around people at the top of their game changes the way you look at your art and life.  It seems like a place to keep you humbled, striving, challenged and sharp.

More on NYC later, but I also wanted to post about the exhibition I am having tomorrow night.  It will be at 16th and Pine Street in Philadelphia, from 6-9pm, with dozens of new works on display from over the last year.  25% of the profits will go to Women Against Violence, an organization designed to help women who suffered in the city from abuse.   Come out to see new art, meet new people and support a good cause.   Hope to see you there!

Lt. Gemmel of Beechlands, 24"x36", oil on canvas, copyright Jessica Libor 2011

This week, I finished this portrait of Lt. Kenneth Alexander Gemmel of Beechlands, Liverpool.  This guy has an interesting history.  He died in combat shortly after the original portrait was painted (the above is my own master copy of the original).  At his death, he was only twenty three years old.

He was born in 1892 and died 16/06/1915.  He served in the 10th BN The Kings (Liverpool Regiment), Son of John Edward and Margaret Ann Gemmell, of “Beechlands,” Mossley Hill, Liverpool.  The family came from Ayrshire and moved to Liverpool. His 2 other brothers also served in the Great War and died in the same year.

Lt. Gemmel was killed in the first major battalion action of the Liverpool Scottish.  He was in Belgium on the 16th June 1915, in what is officially known as ‘The First Action at Bellewaarde’ which was designed to pin down German reserves while there were British and French attacks elsewhere.  This battle in The Liverpool Scottish is known as ‘The Battle of Hooge’. Hooge is a village is a few miles East of Ieper (Ypres), built around the Menin Road. The Battalion moved off into the attack uphill towards Bellewaarde Farm in this engagement.

Left to right are Capt. CP James (Adjutant and observing through armoured slit), Capt. AS Anderson (Company Commander), an unknown private, Lt. Kenneth Gemmell and Lt Col JR Davidson.

The client’s grandfather served in the same battle, but survived.

Pavonia, (1858-59)

This sparked my interest…London’s V&A Museum is hosting a spectacular exhibition about the movement of art called Aestheticism, when artists focused on everything beautiful.  As  Richard Dormant says in his eloquent review of the show, “…what mattered in their pictures was not the subject but the emotions stirred in the viewer by the delicately restrained colours, exquisite compositional balance, and sultry, dream-like atmosphere.”  To read more, click here.  As an artist captivated by all things beautiful, I wish I could make it to this exhibition.  Alas, London is a bit far for a weekend trip for me.

Midsummer by Albert Moore