SHOWS! SHOWS! THE SHOW must go on..

May 30, 2022 Jacquelyn Liebman

For years, I didn’t show my work. Between about 2016-2018, I devoted myself to pure art-making. Painted when possible, wrote songs. Performed on occasion. For some artists and musicians, showing and sharing the work is a pre-requisite. It’s what drives them, the thrill of the stage. For me, after a childhood of performing (piano, voice, trumpet, French horn, acting), I was burned out.. done — I thought. And when I left Vermont in 2016, I was also done with the “business” of selling my artwork..

But you can’t keep a performer from the stage, or an artist from playing “show & tell” with their most magical creations… just as you can’t keep an animal from water. I’ve gradually (or suddenly) returned to both the stage and the business of selling my art, because the joy of sharing what’s given to me is too great to keep closed up in boxes. I took a big leap on 5/22/22, performing original songs for the first time since the pandemic. A lovely audience gathered at ART150 in Jersey City for the Mid-Show Reception of “Impact,” a group show curated by Tarik Mendes & Frank Ippolito.

It was joyful beyond joyful - the best performance I’ve ever experienced.. So, I signed up for another. ;).

I’m thrilled to be showing never-before-seen artwork this June. Join me in attending “Not Your Gentle Flower,” a duo exhibition opening June 3, 2022. Features artwork by myself J.Heloise, and Alexandra Alvarez. Opening reception 6/3, 6-9pm - where I’ll be playing another set of original songs.. Show details below (weekend hours Sat/Sun 1-4pm through June 26). Also a sneak peak at the show’s highlights…

Because… in the words of “Godspell” the musical — “If that light’s under a bushel, it’s lost something kinda crucial.”

xoxoxox J.Heloise

“Badge of Courage (Skier)” by J.Heloise, 2018

“Man, In Search of the Good” by J.Heloise, 2013

J.Heloise at ART150 5-22-22. Photo by Tarik Mendes

A Midsummer's Commission

January 20, 2022 Jacquelyn Liebman

Somewhere in the middle of summer, I was approached by a client interested in commissioning an art piece. They wanted to celebrate a loved one’s life milestone… by having an art piece made from a photo. Their partner had seen a Bighorn sheep while out skiing near the Continental Divide in Colorado, & had managed to get a photo on their phone before retreating down the mountain. It had been a magical moment, and even luckier that it was caught on camera.

I felt an instant connection & set to work on the project. The photo they provided was gorgeous but lacked some definition in the area of the trees. Having grown up with the experience of 11 years of summer camp in the Adirondacks, I knew that it would be crucial to capture the mountains at their best, by informing myself of their colors, shape & shadows. I researched and supplemented the photo with additional books, including an old book on the Sierra’s — and eventually a real-life trip to the Adirondacks to paint it in the mountains. Not every commission affords me the ability to travel, but this one seemed to demand it - and coincided with a brief vacation already on the calendar.

The importance of research cannot be overstated.. during my own research process, which I’ve refined over the years… I’ve learned how to really dig deep to get to the root of the client’s vision, & to understand the essence of their project, brand etc. (be it a large or small business, organization, fashion design concept, animal, book, story, etc). Sometimes the preparation involves trips, or sourcing of rare magazines, or mood boards - and preparatory sketches. Either way, I consider it essential to gather all the pieces, so that when I finally sit down to painting, the result is precise & exactly on target. There are many variables you can’t control with art (especially watercolor!), but you can do your best to set yourself up for success.

It’s always so exciting to be part of something bigger, to find new tools and ways of understanding/expressing another’s story…and I always love seeing the work be put to good use.

This project was quite a special one, & was very well received. I look forward to more collaborations!

“Bighorn Sheep at the Continental Divide” Art Commission by J.Heloise, 2021

Something New? A year in paint, 2021

January 19, 2022 Jacquelyn Liebman

As an artist, I thrive on newness. The sort of newness you’d discover wandering around a new city, or browsing a flea market. For me, a new story is a precious gem. And even better is the mystery of what I might create with that inspiration. It’s quite common to look around at my piles of artwork and think “yeah, this is okay, but what NEXT?”

Lately I’ve been blessed with quite a lot of newness, in the form of friendships with other artists here at Art150 (new spot for my studio), beautiful books I’ve sourced from places near and far, & a whole new situation that’s arisen from this Pandemic… plus a bit of extra time to settle in and play with paint.

Grateful for it.

When I feel most free is when I can create. Not every work has arisen from a state of bliss, but sometimes a little bit of turmoil is just enough to churn out something worthwhile..

Here are some of the pieces that I’ve painted and am most proud of, from 2021

Parrots — now available as a greeting card.
The Earth Cannot Wait. (original has been sold). This piece was first painted on a white background, then digitally altered to its current state - color on black. Its message is self-explanatory but powerful — “the earth cannot wait” — a call to action. You’ll find many animals tucked away, each trying to hold onto its means of survival in a cataclysmic moment of climate change.
Birth of the soul
Tiger, Pegasus Divine
Ice Cream
Actually from June of 2020, I’ve snuck in this painting because it seems so relevant - “Say we’re equal.”… a statement about rights, equality, & injustice.

Hoping we’re all headed for a 2022 that brings the kind of “newness” worth welcoming :)

“The Earth Cannot Wait” by J.Heloise 2021

“Tiger, Pegasus Divine” by J.Heloise 2021

Alaska. The Journey, The Record

January 18, 2022 Jacquelyn Liebman

I grew up going to a girls’ summer camp where Adventure was what we dreamed of. It was our currency. Daily we were braving storms to take our sailboats further, to better our survival skills.. we were singing songs about ramblers and celebrating the hikers among us who’d summited peaks…. — peaks whose names we’d often heard murmured by the locals… We were reading tales written about whaling ships in the high seas of the South Pacific & imagining what we’d do if our ship got stranded in Australia, holding ambergris. That, all manner of THAT was holy to us.

Naturally, as I grew older and saw what the corporate world offered, I wanted none of it. I wanted adventure, the true stuff. I studied abroad in France, I lived in Vermont… I crossed the water of Lake Champlain via ferry as often as possible to see the “real trees” of the Adirondacks (as I thought of them) — and risked whatever I was risking by painting through sunset on a mountaintop with only a headlamp to guide me home.

But I never expected the kind of adventure that Alaska holds.

I had the opportunity to travel with family this summer and spend a week on a boat from Sitka AK to Juneau with Lindblad Expeditions*. Needless to say I was beyond words. I brought my travel watercolor pad & a small tin of paints. Honestly, for the first time in my life I really was certain that I could not label the experience. Alaska is wild, but the sort of wilderness that knows its place exactly. You are never “lost” in Alaska. It is the primordial state of freshness, and ruggedness and purity that we crave deep in our bones. It is gorgeous, of an unworldly beauty that is hard to believe, even when it’s right in front of you. That’s how it felt to me.

I painted only a small notebook of works, but I cherished the opportunity. Adventure is painted into each one, if you can see it.. Here are some of my favorites..

In conclusion.. Sometimes in life a whole world opens up to us and we can only be thankful for it.

*not a paid promotion, FYI ;)

“Catherine Island, Beyond” 2021 by J.Heloise

How to be Alone

August 21, 2020 Jacquelyn Liebman

It’s not something I talk about often. In America, we often go about our days surrounded by people.. we hope they’ll be caring and gentle with us. But when I decided to become an artist, and to work independently - I found I had a new and daunting task — make friends with Aloneness. Quarantine has brought “isolation” into people’s lives like never before. And most of us fight it… even I do. But to really get to the roots of who you are and what you’re capable of, I believe that a little alone time is crucial.

Everything trickles through you while you paint — thoughts, judgement, excitement, fear, self-criticism. I was lucky to also find Meditation at the same time I began my artistic practice, and so I had a way of understanding that my job was not to reckon with the thoughts directly, but to see them, observe, and yet bring the focus back to my work. Back to my subject, and my paints - the visual field, the decision-making that one engages in when creating. Some days, my paintings have told me things about myself I hadn’t know. Some days they speak of the beauty of the world, or of the difficulty of struggle. They all present new challenges, and give me new tools. In creating each art piece, I’ve had an opportunity to go beyond myself — to take my internal circumstances and transform them into something useful, that might bring joy to another. That is my goal. Even on the days when not a soul is watching, art is speaking.

Here are some new works, 3 of 4 from Quarantine.

Thankful to have found this as a path, and thankful - enormously - to those who have supported me. xoxo J.Heloise

Feel This Wildly (Floral), J.Heloise 2020

Arrowheads and Rice Root, J.Heloise 2019

Start from the beginning. Do all things with love.

May 6, 2020 Jacquelyn Liebman

It is never too late to start all over again. To be honest, I never thought I’d be an artist— at least, not while growing up in suburban NJ. The expectations were somewhere else— music, college, “respectable” jobs… by the time I was 18, I had committed to 4 years of college with no idea really what I had signed up for. It wasn’t until studying abroad in Paris (which fortunately cost less than a year’s tuition), that I came to discover a part of myself I hadn’t known was there. I signed up for a drawing/painting class at the Louvre. The ladies in the class loved my “pommes” (apples in pastel), and the instructor was rigorous but I knew she meant well, insisting that my oranges needed to be “more luminous.”.. I had taken the class on a whim, but it triggered something. And then later that year, when I met a “real” artist who inspired me with his sketches in the park— I realized that life might be holding something new and undiscovered for me.

And so I went to design school and another chapter started.

Sometimes it’s an unexpected turn of events that leads you somewhere new. It’s a book with an old torn-up dusty cover that contains something brilliant. It’s an old place that reinvents itself before your eyes as a haven. If nothing else, I’ve seen that life contains the unexpected, and if you’re willing to be open to it, you might be able to harvest what it has to offer. The beginning is letting go of the old you. Accepting disappointment. The truth is, the works you see on this website are only 1/4 of what I’ve produced, and the other 3/4 ended up in the recycling bin. So, cheers to new beginnings, mistakes, and mayhem.

P.S. Wishing you a speedy, safe quarantine…virtual hugs and kisses, and all the love. xoxoxo JHeloise

“I think you would love” by JHeloise, 2020

Getting Weird.

November 5, 2018 Jacquelyn Liebman

Of all the things I’ve learned through art, I believe the primary is this: never be afraid to get weird. In fact, often I have to trick myself into believing an idea is completely crazy, out-there, and totally unfeasible in order to create something halfway decent. I find the thing I think could never be successful, but is somehow calling my name, and I try it. It’s a form of risk-taking that I’ve learned to abide by. I’ve even encouraged my students to try it! Art holds the space for anything to be tried, and worked with, and accepted.

This week, I tried to do some artwork with fashion photos from magazines — it failed. I tried some beds and chairs - it worked! I tried a penguin for the holidays - it failed. I tried this tiny whale that had been calling my name - it worked! What most artists will never tell you is how many times they’ve tried old ideas, the go-to places, or just things that didn’t work… before they came up with something successful. It’s the way of the world, it’s beyond us. We’re just here to craft it. ;) I hope you enjoy these new works, on view at my Instagram page J._Heloise (& follow me!).

xoxo Jackie

Why Dance is Eternal

October 5, 2017 Jacquelyn Liebman

As I’ve spent hours and hours in the dance studio, reshaping poses, finding muscles I didn’t know were there and working them to the brink, I’ve come to a simple conclusion… Dance is Eternal. Ballet especially (though not “better” than any other forms, but foundational), is one of the most complex languages I’ve ever encountered – and it speaks only from the soul. With literally thousands upon thousands of possible combinations of steps, jumps and turns….Most people have no idea what goes into the making of a dance – nor do they know why or what it makes them feel, they just know they love it. And this is as it should be. However, it’s my theory that the greatness of ballet is actually in the perfection of body usage that it encompasses. Most sports require usage of a key set of muscles, with the rest as supporting players. Ballet, however, relies on a controlled usage of each and every usable muscle in the body. Ballet, when done properly, allows a person to exercise each and every body part with a series of movements, muscle pathways, that – when complete – enable a dancer to take on any movement he/she could possibly be asked to do. This language means that a simple hand gesture can be formed and reformed to any and all specifications by a choreographer. It lets a dancer.. SPEAK. Choreography in and of itself is rich with history, meaning.. and the unique stamp of every dancer who performs it. The reason the world’s most talented dancers have brought audiences to tears is because their bodies are telling stories that their mouths could not even begin to share. And most dancers go about their entire lives with little recognition, and even less stage time or credit. But the dance is written on their soul. Or so says I. Here’s my tribute to the dancers that make my head spin and heart leap… <3 Jackie

Ballerinas en Pointe in Gray, J.Heloise 2017

"The Nutcracker" in Color, J.Heloise 2016

On Abstraction

October 5, 2017 Jacquelyn Liebman

When I was young, I remember a specific trip to the MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) in NYC, where I asked my mom in front of a giant abstract Jackson Pollock painting – WHY? The whole thing was so striking. Golds and blacks strewn everywhere, in a rhythm that somehow made sense, in spite of its chaos. I remember the gold, and its incomprehensible “message” stuck with me. I got no answers that day, but for years I kept the question tucked in a mental corner. Having studied modern art in college, I felt exposed to some possibilities but still no answer. When I pursued my own artistic career, I finally began to move closer. It started to make sense.

Abstraction means something different to everyone, because that’s how it should be. It’s a cloak of disguise for a message that sometimes the artist doesn’t even know they’re giving. But they’re compelled.

To create a work of art is to “abstract" something, in the first place – as true “photographic replication” is impossible – even photographs have their viewpoints and biases. We’re constantly interpreting reality. Our hands put their stamp on things. But a funny thing happens as art becomes less and less representational – it leaves room to be understood. By a viewer who might need some sort of message that day. The gaps in the meaning of a work are exactly what is needed for the work to “work.” I don’t believe that the purpose of art is literally to throw meaning at people. To me, it’s rather like a crystal clear lake on a sunny day, or a cloudy day. In it, you find your own reflection. When an artist speaks their truth, someone else’s truth shines back.

My work has taken an abstract turn lately and I can’t say I mind. I find that in colors there are emotions, and in brushstrokes there are bents, moods. I know how the story felt as I created it, but the art seems to transcend all that in some way – to hold the potential for a “greater sum of its parts”. It’s a great mystery but I’m glad that it speaks to people at times, in ways they seem to like. I know I’ve loved the works of so many artists before me. For more abstractions, follow me on Instagram - J._Heloise - as I share it haphazardly;) Here are some recent ones:

Flowers for Mercury Retrograde, J.Heloise 2017

Commissions for a CAUSE

October 5, 2017 Jacquelyn Liebman

I fell into doing commissions by accident. My grandfather, many years ago, asked for a bookcover for a self-published novel and offered some pay for it. I would have done it out of the goodness of my heart, and I did… he commissioned several more after that. At first, I found the process to be upsetting – my first draft was rejected! ;) It was the beginning of a long long process of working with my own ego, and I’m glad that art gave that to me, and still does. In a Buddhist sense, the ability to work with one’s own mind is paramount. And the teachings regarding compassion encourage people to take on new challenges and work for the benefit of other beings.

No other medium offers me as much possibility to work towards helping others than art. In particular, the commissions I have taken on have brought me such joy, simply by being able to provide for the communities I have been part of, and to serve others. And so much learning. Commissions take time, because they require a lot of focus, and research/study. For a recent commission, I helped Vermont non-profit Lake Champlain International create a watercolor that would embody their mission: protect the lake & Vermont’s water supply through advocacy & partnerships with the local community, fishing and farming communities. The phrase “Clean water, healthy fish, happy people” was a rallying cry for the organization, and a unifying message that I had hoped to capture in the work. I used the Burlington VT library (& UVM) as a resource and found books to teach me more about lake ecology, environmental impact, and the Brook Trout – Vermont’s state fish, a symbol for the organization. When I learned that the Brook Trout can only survive in incredibly healthy waters, and no longer exists in Lake Champlain, I realized that we have LOST quite a lot to pollution. So the artwork I created by seeking historical imagery of maps, fishermen, the brook trout itself, and the boats that grace our lake, was intended to show a vision.

A vision for a healthier, cleaner lake. One that James Ehlers, the organization’s founder, has been championing for years. And one which, I think we can all agree – is worth it. Look for the image to soon be sold on T-Shirts & goods to benefit the organization. And also look out for James Ehlers as he runs for Vermont Governor this year, so much good luck James!! Support his campaign - find him on Facebook .

Art Commission for Lake Champlain International by J.Heloise, 2016

Fish of Vermont, for Lake Champlain International, J.Heloise 2016

From the Archives

October 5, 2017 Jacquelyn Liebman

A recent review of my files reminded me of commissions past. As a young artist in Burlington, VT, much of how I built my experience and portfolio was taking commissions. Each one helped me gain skills and, through a research process introduced to me at my alma mater Parsons School of Design, I "got into it," as they say… (& forgive me, libraries, for keeping a few books too long!)

Here is La Llorona, a tribute to the Mexican-American folklore character, so rich in history. The beautiful cultures of the different regions where the story has been told & retold, came vividly to life for me as I read tragic accounts of colonization, communities ripped apart by violence, and then incredible strength and survival. So much inspiration came from the works of Latin American artists and artisans (quite diverse in nature!), and the peoples themselves who have forged beautiful ways of life together, in spite of all obstacles & suffering. The story of the Weeping Woman took on more and more meaning, which I hoped to convey in the work. Both images below were displayed in UVM's exhibit for Día de los Muertos (2011). I felt priviledged to be a part of it - thank you to Tomas Sanchez for this opportunity!

And the Garamon commission (2012), which brought new meaning to the phrase “post-war experience.” It was never a question in my mind that the atomic bomb did enormous damage, but it wasn’t until I studied this Japanese TV/Animated character (kaiju) that began as a 60’s TV series, that I understood what sorts of feelings can be evoked, and how long-lasting they are, after something so devastating. While Garamon first seemed like a simple “monster-that-destroys-a-city”, I quickly realized that he was quite a complex figure, in a time when people were still trying to understand & express the gravity of what had happened to them in the war. And his creator had used him as a symbol of the atomic bomb – a giant destructive force that arrives unannounced to wreak havoc on innocent inhabitants. Garamon in and of himself is somewhat adorable – a bit awkward in his movements and covered with leaves(!). But in his wake is always some sort of chaos. He has been such a beloved character worldwide that after 50+ years, he is still going! I researched the development of the bomb, the war and post-war experience to prepare and create the work. A great lesson in how art can help a society to heal <3Thanks to Michael Nordstrom of VT & his blog Garamania for this great learning experience!

Camp Creative

October 5, 2017 Jacquelyn Liebman

I’m so excited to share these new additions to Camp Eagle Island, whose story is detailed in a previous blog post. Volunteers were busy all summer working to repair and maintain the beautiful buildings and assets of the island. We’re hoping to have it running for summer 2018! The organization also got some great press, check out the webpage. My contributions on two separate weekends included: hand-painted vintage-looking signs for the bathrooms/unit house, a freshly painted picnic table, and two watercolor art pieces that will most likely be used for T-shirts and merchandise next year (one pictured below). Keep an eye out for those!

The camp has a very rich history, from its original occupants - Native American tribes - to the families of Levi Morton, and Henry Graves, who commissioned architect William Coulter to design the buildings that still stand..and finally Mr. Graves who donated it to the Girl Scouts in the 1930's. I wanted to pay tribute to that history in my art, and also the incredible feeling of one-ness with the land and water that comes from the camp experience. The art piece (below) has a canoe/longboat & paddle, plus hidden figure of a diver (with bathing cap on), inspired by an antique book about Juliette Gordon Low, the original founder of the Girl Scouts -- an incredibly influential figure & leader.

It’s a great cause that will support girls as they gain leadership skills, life-defining experiences and education in the outdoors. Who doesn’t love a great wilderness camp? ;) I do! You can make a donation & help the camp at: www.friendsofeagleisland.org

P.S. Artists' Note: when I first set out to create a work that would represent camp, I hit a stumbling block -- Camp is somehow part of everything I do, paint, draw... and also, I wasn't there. It's hard to experience true inspiration unless you're surrounded by it, I often feel. So, my recent trip up helped me to really define what elements would be most meaningful. And I got to spend some time with some amazing human beings!! Thanks Friends of Eagle Island. <3 <3

All the best adventures start at the Unit House...;)

New Art!  The spirit of camp, in watercolor...  Look for T-shirts in 2018 — New Art! The spirit of camp, in watercolor... Look for T-shirts in 2018

Fifteen Fashion Faces

September 13, 2016 Jacquelyn Liebman

A prominent gallery curator in Burlington, VT had come to a show of commissioned fashion drawings I had done, a mix of newer more 'polished' figures and then older ones in black and white, from my New York days. He was kind, but he said something quite honest and blunt, to the extent of: These are nice, but can you do something more interesting? Something gutsier?

Words that were, of course, hard to hear… But which were transformative.

I thought my fashion-school fashion things were good enough. But as I reflected on it more and more, I could see that I had never really done something completely raw, self-determined with my fashion drawings. They were tame.

And so, I began again. One afternoon, after a difficult phone conversation, I sat down to paint -- this time combining sharks with a female face, bubbles, and simply color. I painted it all at once, step by step, working with the fluidity and the imperfections. And out came Shark Tank.

I'm not necessarily convinced it's any sort of "best work" but it pushed a boundary for me, which is I think all you can do. Venture into new territory again and again.

I hope to finish the series of 'Fifteen Fashion Faces' in the upcoming year. Until then, see the current works here.

Leaving Las Vegas...

September 9, 2016 Jacquelyn Liebman

I am not at all leaving Las Vegas… but somehow it seemed like the most fitting title! (Thank you, Sheryl Crow, for gifting us that song -- and frame of mind). I'm leaving Vermont.

Before leaving, however, I was able to collaborate with photographer Lauren Mazzotta on the beautiful product and profile shots you see on the new website. It was an incredibly fun shoot, held on location at a friend's family barn/studio/office. You'll see the magical castle-like feeling it seems to hold, in photo #1 (pardon the camera-phone grittiness). A cross between an English barn, Adirondack Retreat, and stunning Chateau… This is the workspace of the Garrett's, the creators of the new Ivy Hotel in Baltimore. Chic and glorious. It was inspirational, to say the least!

We photographed greeting cards galore, and enjoyed the August day in Vermont - sun shining, mountains in full sun, and animals roaming. I'm leaving Vermont for New York City, where I hope to pursue some new creative projects.. I'll miss all this terribly, but I'm looking forward to a new pace, a new sort of sunrise. :)

P.S. Don't worry, I will keep you posted! P.P.S. Thank you so much to the Garretts!!

Queen City, Textile City

September 8, 2016 Jacquelyn Liebman

It is documented that within Burlington VT's history, numerous buildings have served as factories and warehouses for production of textiles and various textile goods. Perhaps that explains my decision to make some textile designs out of my watercolor habit, just about 4 years after arriving and setting up shop as an artist. Or maybe it's the years spent surrounded by calico fabrics while my mom and aunt quilted during childhood… or the time in the fashion industry where, as an intern with Diane von Furstenberg, I collected her printed dresses like they were going out of style -- which, they are not now or ever. ;)

Regardless, I set my mind to this new project and came up with the following. Prints for homes, clothing, fabrics… possibilities. See more at the ART page.

Experiments in Taekwondo

September 7, 2016 Jacquelyn Liebman

It's Throwback Thursday and I've just taken out my favorite Taekwondo T-Shirt.. Initially I went to Taekwondo class in 2014 out of sheer curiosity, wanting to kick things -- and also draw things (a strange combo, I know!) What I found there was an amazing group of people who were so devoted to their discipline -- and so supportive as a community. It was truly inspiring.. I spent a year there drawing each week - also worked my way to yellow belt and designed a commissioned t-shirt from some sketches I did. My roundhouse kick made some progress too ;)

Here are the photos from the Blue Wave summer camp, which took place in Tunbridge Vermont. Sweaty and fun. Much of the camp walked around in my t-shirt design (even up to three days without washing;)), which was exciting and slightly surreal.

** Also, some notes on the figure drawing: Taekwondo, like many martial arts, seems to be based both on building body strength and coordination for offensive and defensive moves/stances, but also on knowing the opponent and working with their tactics continuously throughout the match. I found that the better I understood the sport, the easier the drawings got. [And of course, the observation done in drawing fueled the learning]. My approach is as follows: I tend to [visually] block the body into segments, head, chest, hips, legs… But then to find a defining movement to capture, as a starting point for the drawing, one that goes through the whole body. And working from there. An adaptation of fashion drawing.. It took many drawings to make progress!

Thanks so much to Blue Wave of Burlington VT for letting me be a part of it :)

This adorable girl did Irish step dancing for us!

Camp couple modeling the Tshirt (& tie-dye!)

A work called "Ready"… drawn from Taekwondo blackbelt Sara Sayles.  Drawings that overlap bodies can often get to the core of a movement better than a single complete figure.  (Black China marker on sketch paper.) — A work called "Ready"… drawn from Taekwondo blackbelt Sara Sayles. Drawings that overlap bodies can often get to the core of a movement better than a single complete figure. (Black China marker on sketch paper.)

Farm to Ballet… Art.

August 13, 2016 Jacquelyn Liebman

When Farm to Ballet began, it was just a twinkle in the eyes… of several devoted adult ballet students, and one inspiring, adventurous teacher - Chatch Pregger. I was lucky to be a dancer in the first and second seasons, 2015 & 16 -- and created the artwork & logo to launch the state’s very first annual traveling outdoor ballet show. For the artwork, the executive team for the project had requested “a dancer with mountains and farm. And maybe some vegetables. Can you do that?”

Of course I said Yes. :) The work took longer than expected, as the perfection needed to get a ballet dancer “just right” is a bit maddening (The lines ARE everything!). Fortunately I had already spent several years intermittently studying/drawing dancers in the adult classes, and about 6 years of taking class myself. [Admittedly somewhat in love with the inherent capacity for beauty that the body seems to possess, made so visible through ballet..]

The inspiration for the mountains and farm views came from books, as it was mid-winter. Artwork was hand-done in watercolor, as well as a black pen version that became the logo. The colors were shifted in photoshop to create richer, deeper tones.

And a star-filled show was born. The real magic was left to the dancers and choreographer ;) I was glad to be able to help out and give back a little piece of Vermont, the state that has so inspired me!

To check out the show & find out more, visit http://farmtoballet.org. ALSO, pick up a T-shirt or totebag and support the project.

Farm to Ballet Logo by JHeloise

And then there was music.

August 13, 2016 Jacquelyn Liebman

Those who grew up with me know that I spent many long hours in piano lessons -- and exhilarating (occasional) nights in performances of school musicals, All-State Choir, and voice recitals. Somewhere around age 20 my hands were restless from being away from the ivory keys, and I took up guitar. I brought my first guitar with me to France on my post-college year of teaching English abroad, and I taught myself (slowly!) all the songs I could think of. Knowing I could never compete with the likes of Eric Clapton and so many others, I was fairly content to imitate Bob Dylan at low volumes while roommates were sleeping.

About a decade later, I realized I could write songs. It was a wonderful revelation… My hope, in writing them, is that I might be able to contribute to the miraculous treasure-chest-thing that is American music. I’ve tried to write songs that I might want to hear - or to sing. Some are more “catchy” than others, most have a distinct folk bent to them. Looking forward to seeing where it all goes...

Here is album #1, Songs for Sea - Demo, written in Burlington and recorded on iPhone (May 2015)

Summer of April..

August 2, 2016 Jacquelyn Liebman

It's always amazing to see a past project come to life…

I was so excited to see the models of April Cornell grace the catalog and website this season. The photo shoot itself took place in Hinesburg Vermont, at Hidden Gardens B & B, last year in the spring. We had many hands to get the job done - I handled makeup (natural), hair and a fair bit of styling. It was a group effort, and such a fun, creative one! Here are some of my favorites...

P.S. Shop April's adorable dresses, tops & girls' clothes at aprilcornell.com - plus amazing linens and housewares. Be warned, it's quite addictive stuff ;)

Model Pippa for April Cornell. Photo by Lauren Mazzotta

Return to Camp

July 6, 2016 Jacquelyn Liebman

Nothing better than a 4th of July weekend spent on the island I grew up on… painting!

Summers from age 9 were devoted to a Girl Scout Camp in the Adirondack Mts. of New York State -- a gorgeous tree-covered spot with lake views all around. This weekend, my mission was to create new signage for the camp, transforming traditional brown wood planks with text into welcoming scenes.

We managed to scrounge up varnish in the woodshop, some blue, green and white acrylic paint -- and then a terribly old (prewar?) tube of red oil. The resulting works were a fun experiment in a new medium, dotted with sailboats and little flag posts. The inevitable oversight? Oil paint takes days or weeks to dry! So our little red buildings will need some extra time in the sun:)

Pics below!

xoxo Jackie

P.S. The camp is undergoing a huge revitalization effort -- it has recently been bought by the Alumni and Friends of Eagle Island after a major fundraising campaign to save the camp from being sold. If you can contribute, PLEASE DO. www.friendsofeagleisland.org

Lodge (site where the Adirondack Chair was painted!), 2016

Source: http://www.friendsofeagleisland.org