Sunday, October 25, 2015

The Fascinating Art of Lesley Schiff

Lesley Schiff is an artist who is continually thinking outside the box. Her works of art are mesmerizing, inspiring and dramatic. Please enjoy this interview with Lesley and visit her websites which are listed below.

After Dark, from The Distant Systems Series

Lesley your works of art are incredible and so fascinating.

1) When  did you become interested in creating art?

Thank you!  That’s quite a compliment.

Art found me. My mother is an artist. When she decided to go to The Art Institute of Chicago, my older brother and I also began our art education, at the museum’s junior school. I was seven years old.



Dragonfly



2) Have you had mentors or people in your life who have encouraged your endeavors?

The first mentor, obviously is my mother…..very encouraging.  Also, many of her enormously, talented artist friends were part of my upbringing. When I graduated from The Art Institute of Chicago, I left the following day for New York City, because at that time, it was where you went if you wanted to be a ‘serious artist.’  I became very close with another family of very talented artists and textile designers. In fact, they were connected to Albert Hadley and Sister Parish!

I have many mentors…..they come in all different sizes, ages, and they come from this time and going back to the beginning of recorded artistic expression.






Gabrielle's Secret


3) What inspires you? How does your thought process work when you begin a new piece or a new series of art?

I think of what I do as a Thank You Card. There’s always so much to be grateful for, enchanted by, and curious about. My thought process is more of a quiet retreat. I stop Time, whenever possible, and wait. I wait to be directed. I wait for Vision to make an appearance. When that occurs, then I follow and obey. When I trust that approach, the pictures usually work. I look for a connection between my contrary aspects: body, mind, spirit. When there’s alignment, then a story begins. Usually, the story tells you what to say.

3.1) How did your current genre in art come about?

I developed what I do using the structure of painting which was my focus of study.

I wanted a more direct way to put the ideas down and see if the concepts were worth investigating. Being aware of the world and the array of tools, I landed on an unconventional way to achieve the same result. I discovered that a color copier works as a combination of silk-screening and photography. But for me, it was a way to put all the elements necessary to paint with, into one device: light, color, paper, and a ‘tabletop’ to set up the pictures from.


Italy


4) Does being part of a renowned family of artists create synergy?

Yes!  It also allows for continuity. You don’t have to explain your angle to someone unfamiliar with an artistic quest. You are free to use shorthand and stay in the excitement.



Dylan Times For

5) Your current event is very unique, would you tell our readers about this special exhibit?

I was fortunate to do a large commission for Columbia Records, which is owned by Sony Music.

It also happens to be Bob Dylan’s label.  Of the 100 portraits I did for 3 floors of their NYC corporate offices, 4 of the portraits were of Dylan.  I ended up being introduced to his manager and made a proposal to do a limited edition portrait of Dylan. Each portfolio contains images of Dylan, songs of his that I’ve illustrated and icons, synonymous with his persona.


This first exhibit in Boston shows the portfolio art, as well as large-scale prints and works on brushed aluminum.


6) Lesley, that is an amazing story! Where will you be showing your art next, any upcoming exhibits?

I’m in the midst of finding other locations for the Dylan Portrait. As soon as we have dates, they will be posted on the website.




 7) What is your advice to the beginning artist of any age?

Listen. Follow the prompting. Listen only to that quiet inner voice. Trust the eyes of your heart.

Thank you again Lesley for this insightful interview. I know readers will be following you to see what exhibit is next on your tour!

Lesley's website is http://lesleyschiff.com. Also visit her amazing,  A Portrait of Bob Dylan exhibit at http://www.schiff-dylanexhibit.com 


Harvard University's George Martin Lane Professor of Classics, Richard F. Thomas attended the LIT Exhibition with several students on Oct.25.  Professor Thomas had this to say to Bob Dylan's management about his experience at LIT:

"I thought it worked really well.  The juxtapositions of lyrics, fonts, colors, texture, evocative images, most recognizable but transformed in the new medium, all made for a pleasing hour and a half."

To read Richard Thomas' The Performance Artistry of Bob Dylan, co-edited with Catharine Mason, Oral Tradition 22.1, online only, please reference the link:  http://journal.oraltradition.org/issues/22i 

To read Richard Thomas' bio, please reference the link:  http://scholar.harvard.edu/rthomas/home


To listen to an interview on NPR's (WBUR Boston) Morning Edition with Bob Oakes, please reference:
http://artery.wbur.org/2015/09/17/pop-up-bob-dylan

Lesley's art ranges in size from 16" x 24" up to 60" x 90" -- as unique works, multiples & limited editions.


Lesley finalizes all of her work on a Canon ImagePROGRAF and Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Archival Paper.


Many thanks to Paula Winke, marketing and public relations consultant at Creative Business Affairs, who made the introduction. Paula is based in Kansas City and works with clients here in North America and abroad.




Thank you to my Family, Friends and Followers who Support The Arts!



Please do leave a comment as they make my day!


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xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena


The India Hicks Holiday Collection! I am very excited to share my venture with India Hicks and Living an Extraordinary Life! indiahicks.com/rep/karenalbert 







13 comments:

martinealison said...

Bonjour chère amie,

Un interview très intéressant... J'ai eu beaucoup de plaisir à le lire... Les yeux de votre coeur sont beaux !

Gros bisous ♡

Cmichaudart said...

great interview, very much enjoyed!

debra @ 5th and state said...

another wonderful interview. leslie's methods are fascinating and oh so different
debra

La Contessa said...

How fun I just mentioned SISTER PARISH and ALBERT over on my BLOG!
I find it very interesting to hear how people got started.......
Then again the family must have been a TALENTED bunch too!
That inner voice is a good one.........I need to listen to it MORE often!
XX

LBDDiaries said...

What a fascinating artist she is. I will keep up with her work - thank you for sharing!! (As usual)

Unknown said...

Your interviews are always so inspiring. I'm captivated by the pieces you shared here. Thanks for the introduction to such an amazing artist!
xx, Heather

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

You are so right...truly fascinating!...and I love what she said about following the "eyes of your heart"....great words to live by!

MJH DesignArts said...

Hi Karena, This is a super fascinating interview. So timely for I am personally working on in my life: listening to (and oberying) that inner voice and connection. A million thanks for bring this amazing artist to me. xoxoxo Mary

Karen said...

What interesting art and technique. I am always interested to hear the start of an artist's career. What a fun interview.
Thank you for introducing us to so many talented artists.
xo,
Karen

cindy hattersley design said...

I really love her work. Thank you for always supporting so many wonderful artists and sharing them with us.

Julie Khuu | Haute Khuuture said...

Wow so deep and spiritual...Love learning about new artists on your blog K!
Thank you visiting my blog, hope to see you back soon sweets!

Xx- Julie

Haute Khuuture Blog

Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt said...

Wonderful interview..she is so talented!

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

Karen-
This is such a beautiful post! I love art that is not only beautiful but makes me think!
Thanks for sharing.
Teresa
xoxo

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