Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Levaton.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born & raised in Los Angeles and grew up in Laurel Canyon. There is a coarseness and complexity here in LA, in the veins and in the breath. The mingling of so many different types of people has molded and shaped me. My first job was on Sunset at ChinChins, then Jerry’s Famous Deli on Ventura Blvd! I attended a Jewish school off Mulholland before graduating from Fairfax Art Magnet on Melrose. I guess this all sounds a little like SNL’s Californians. My mover & shaker immigrant Israeli Dad and my patient & kind southern bell Mom from Tennessee made a family here. My great saba (grandfather) was a Rabbi and my other grandfather was a Preacher. My life is full of contrasts. I love painting eyes because they are the soul. I get inspiration from nature and I crave adventure & new experiences and those moments of exhilaration propels me into painting, drawing and designing and I get lost in my art. LA is an alpha city with the kind of stories and artistic energy that’s just magical. I’ve traveled, lived and visited over 40+ countries in my life. For me, traveling through memories is like traveling the world and inspiration is alive in each journey. I am 10 in Haifa (Israel) playing soccer at 2am with the neighborhood kids, 17 in France studying fine arts at Parsons Paris, on to San Francisco where I lived for eight years and where I got my BFA from Academy of Art University, 23 and I am living in Italy studying fine arts at Lorenzo De Medici. Fast forward a bit, working & traveling the world with my husband for a course of three years before returning home to LA. A whirlwind of experiences and exploration and my art allows me to do this.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Overall, Yes, it’s been a smooth road. I’ve lived a few lives already. My art and my life are full of happy accidents. Before I put the first stroke on a canvas, I struggled with fear; in my abilities, honing my craft, marketing myself, being vulnerable and communicating authentically. I’m always competing with myself, trying to surpass my last. All these internal struggles pose significant obstacles in my journey to creating with bravery & persistence. I listen to my inner voice whilst walking in the unknown. It’s the only way. Take that risk. I have incredible discipline, but I’m still learning. Every painting creates a change, a pivot.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a fine artist, I paint large-scale portraits with oil on canvas. I add materials such as clay, paper, gold, fabrics, glass, marbles to give a sense of texture and lift the art from the canvas. The duality of life is a big part of my art. I try to peel away the layers of a person I am painting. The subjects in my paintings reveal what is within. They decide what emotions they want to show, they hold the power of their seductive beauty. I analyze their body, the slight tilt of the head, the gaze in their eyes, the placement of their intentions. At times I feel my art represents the unknown women who are objectified for their beauty. Judgments and the dualism of underserved + deserved love & power. My time spent painting and creating is sacred and precious. There is nothing I’d rather do than communicate to the world through my art. This year I was featured in Beautiful Bizarre Magazine for emerging artists and I’m working on putting together a solo show for next year.
What matters most to you?
I am grateful every day for my family. My husband has been an incredible force in my life. Aaron is musical, artistic and together we love making music and art. He is my heart and he inspires me to create and love. Our BEST collaboration by far is our red-headed son Ari. I adore my son and being a mother to my one & only is the absolute best thing in the world.
Pricing:
- Starting at 10k per large-scale painting
Contact Info:
- Email: me@jessicalevaton.com
- Website: jessicalevaton.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlevaton
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/jessfx
