We had the good fortune of connecting with Jill Lefkowitz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jill, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
My work life balance consists of being a mother, painter, and makeup artist in film and television. As a mother, I take care of family responsibilities in partnership with my husband and 14-year-old son. I make time every day to paint, usually, every evening until 3 AM. This is when I have alone time, and my feelings are reflected in my spontaneous creations. As a freelance makeup artist, I enjoy working on set. It’s another creative outlet as an artist, since I paint on faces. When I get a job, it changes the balance of my painting career and being a mother. Production jobs are time intensive, cutting into my painting time and home life. However, after I finish a film or TV project, I am energized to create new paintings on paper, canvas or three-dimensional objects such as barrels, guitars and vases. I am always looking for new three-dimensional surfaces to paint on. In the last year, I have painted vodka bottles and fire extinguishers with various companies. Within my busy schedule, I make time to network and attend exhibitions. I am fortunate that curators and gallery owners have asked me to exhibit at galleries, exhibitions and museums. I love attending exhibitions and meeting new patrons, curators and artists. This has to fit into the balance of my work and life, including fulfilling commissions.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Thank you so much. I am so happy that you enjoy my work. What sets me apart from other artists is that I feel that I have a distinct style. My distinct style reflects merging influences from past and present-day cultures, which creates a language and society all their own within each painting. They are distinctive worlds within the painting that promote community, and inclusivity. What excites me about my process is that I never plan what I will paint, which is what makes the process easy. So, each unique work gives birth to original abstract figures that surprise me by the time I finish them. My paintings emerge as sculptural illusions, showcasing abundant color surrounded by black outlines.The color for each sketch comes to me while I paint. If it is a commission, I am comfortable to use any colors that the client requests. Currently, I collaborate with my husband, Film and Television Producer and Artist, Fabio Arber. He takes my original pieces and creates other art works that we plan to brand on different products. This continues the narrative stretching the boundaries within the universe of each of my original works. I got to where I am professionally by working hard, ignoring rejection and negativity, and being professional in my approach with people. I went to numerous exhibitions and events, joined organizations, sent proposals to curators with exhibition ideas, and networked on social media. I am proud and excited that curators and gallery owners have responded to my work by asking me to be in their exhibitions. It’s a great compliment when they tell me that I am professional when I work with them. I don’t let rejection stop me from moving forward trying new approaches, new venues and markets for my work.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to: The Frank C. Ortis Gallery in Pembroke Pines Bailey Contemporary Arts in Pompano Beach ArtServe in FTL Boca Raton Museum of Art The Norton Museum of Art in WPB NSU Art Museum in FTL Fort Lauderdale Beach Asia Bay Restaurant on Las Olas Las Olas Strip Tap 42 in FTL Farmers Table in Boca True Food Kitchen in Boca Chainbridge Distilleries in FTL Pizza Craft in FTL Tarpon Springs Brewery Various plays that might be happening at the Broward Center of the Performing Arts

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My Husband, Television Producer, Fabio Arber My son, Julian Arber Parents, Annette and Louis Lefkowitz My Late Uncle, Sculptor, Sol Lefkowitz Taryn Möller Nicoll. Chief Curator at The Frank C. Ortiz Gallery & Exhibition Center, Pembroke Pines, FL Sophie Bonet, Chief Curator at ArtServe, Fort Lauderdale, FL Juliana Forero, Curator at Bailey Contemporary Arts, Pompano Beach, FL Curator, Michael Edelberg, My Mentor, Artist Jen Jovan

Website: www.jillcreatesart.com
Instagram: jill.d.lefkowitz
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-lefkowitz-63515871/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jdlefkowitz

Image Credits
Fabio Arber