We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alise Loebelsohn. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alise below.
Hi Alise , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I grew up in a family with a lot of dreams but not much money. I watched my neighbors one town over with their big beautiful homes and their ability to do any activity they liked. In my household my mom was a fashion illustrator and my dad was a New York City police officer. We struggled to make ends meet, however I grew up in a very loving and nurturing environment. It was an irony that my mother would bring home chiffon gowns from Bergorf Goodman to draw for magazines and newspapers, but when I wanted a new pair of jeans I would have to wait and pay with my allowance. In retrospect I think it was the best lesson for me. It taught me that you can achieve your goals and get what you want. You just have to be patient and work twice as hard to make it happen. It also taught me to value what I had and appreciate what was given to me. I learned that I myself was in charge of my path and I was not afraid to work hard.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I grew up always knowing I wanted to be an artist. My mother was a fashion illustrator and my identical twin sister was also interested in art. I went to Pratt institute and. studied under a professor who believed that many public hospitals and institutions were cold spaces. She set up a mural painting program where we could bring art and color into that environment. I loved working large and seeing the reactions from people. I knew that I needed to earn a living and loved the idea of painting large. I worked for different companies painting and restoring work in places such as the White House and Grand Central Station. I was also the only female billboard painter in NYC.
I found that to be an artist meant finding a path where you could learn on the job and although I wasn’t doing my own artwork, I was learning invaluable skills that would set me on my artistic path. For example matching colors, using different paint and surface materials (including gold leaf, encaustic, Venetian plaster) and copying images take time, effort and perseverance. It took awhile until I felt that I had mastered the craft of decorative painting..
After getting married and starting my own family with two wonderful boys, my husband encouraged me to go out on my own and start my own business. While there have been both highs and lows, I have been running my own decorative painting company for about 20 years. I do restoration, finishes and murals. I have travelled and met an array of interesting talented people. I have continued to grow my business and I have a reputation as one of New Yorks finest decorative painters.
I never let go of my original dream: Its been with me every waking day. My lifelong dream is to be an artist creating my own unique vision.I have used the many skills and techniques I have learned from the various trades. in my artwork.I am currently showing work in NYC and have two big shows coming up.. I am happy with my work and how far I have come. I plan to continue painting for as long as possible.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. We all have dreams. When we are children we believe we can do anything. As we grow up our dreams fade. So the first important lesson is to remember your dreams. Do not give up on them. Let them be your guide. I never knew how I would reach my goals but I never stopped believing that I would. Each person is so unique and through life experience , family upbringing we are each have a unique story to tell. We must remember our higher selves. We might not always be reaching them but we cannot give up hope. Even if it seems crazy, work hard and don’t say much just keep it within you, and count on your higher self to lead you down the right path.
2. Try to be honest and truthful about who you are and how you can give something to others and the world. Try not to be selfish but listen to others and learn from them. If your work is not up to your standard than don’t lower it keep working very hard until you begin to see that you can do what you set out to do.
3. Do not get discouraged by rejection. I have been rejected numerous times and each time it stings. It makes you question whether your work is worthy. The solution is to feel the pain and live with it but after a few days to reboot and start again. The rejection becomes less painful , It opens the door for acceptances and that is a very sweet feeling. It also makes you understand that your desire to be an artist should not be dependent on what others think. Stay the course and follow your inner truth and trust that it will take you to the place you were meant to be.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with the talented Judith Eloise Hooper. She is a very gifted artist and we are teaming up to do an Art Fair called the Harlem Fine Arts Fair in Manhattan this February 23-25. Judith suggested that we collaborate on some of our pieces. The minute we put the work together I could sense that we found something amazing. We are continuing to work on this and experiment. The delicacy of her figures with the patterns and color in my work produced more than each work alone. To see the results I will be posting on instagram and if you are in New York City in February then please come to the fair and see the jewel like collaborations.
I like to share ideas and work together. I am open to other collaborations as well. There are always surprises and the results vary. but I think it is very exciting to change things up and not continue doing the same thing all the time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aliseloebelsohn.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/alise-loebelsohn
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AliseMonaLoebelsohn
- Linkedin: Alise Loebelsohn
