Libby Klein: A Journey Through Motherhood, Art, and Jewish Heritage
By Lexi Wolf
Libby Klein, who just made her debut at Miami Art Basel, is an emerging artist, wife and mother to five children. She sat down with Park Magazine to talk about her artistic process, her inspirations, her traditions and her style.
Can you share a bit about your background?
I am a full-time mother of five, a full-time entrepreneur and a full-time inspirational speaker. I was born in Israel and moved to the States when my dad passed away when I was five years old. Although I wasn’t old enough to remember the culture Israeli streets have to offer, I vividly remember walking the old city streets and I can still feel the cold stones on my fingertips to this day. My Israeli and my Jewish culture have definitely impacted my art and is a large part of who I am as a person. Losing my father at a young age also gives me perspective on appreciating my family.
How would you describe your artistic style?
I consider myself an abstract artist with just enough sketch to tell a story. I tell my story through textured art. Every piece has an energy that flows through the abstractness of the creation. In many of my pieces, I add gold leaf and even some gemstones to signify the legacy we are a part of. Most importantly when the piece is done, regardless of the message, it must be beautiful. I try to represent the beauty in our lives.
How do you incorporate Jewish culture and traditions into your art?
I don’t really have to incorporate it; it’s really who I am as a person. My heritage and traditions are in my bones, and my art is very much a reflection of it. My legacy is a big part of me. As an example, I am a grandchild of Holocaust survivors. My grandmother Rene Reichmann in 1943, during the heat of the war, smuggled herself back into Hungary to try and save her family (and strangers) from the Nazis. Having that legacy within me has given me my calling and a feeling of responsibility to impact the world. My only wish is that my children and grandchildren view me in the same light.
What challenges have you faced as an artist?
The biggest challenge for me was, and always will be, letting my art leave my studio. Once I am done with the creation, I feel such a strong connection to the piece. I almost feel like I am giving away a piece of myself. It took some time for me to understand that my art in someone’s home can change their room, their perspective and their happiness. Another challenge, which I am grateful for, is running my business and caring for my family. People ask me all the time how I juggle both, and the answer is that it’s not possible without sacrifice. I also try to include my children in my successes.
What message do you hope viewers take away from your art?
That life is beautiful even when it’s not perfect. Nobody wants to see a picture of a giraffe that looks like a giraffe – you can just go to the zoo for that. I want my art to make you think. For example, when you see a beautiful bride going to meet her groom, the imperfection makes you think about life and the value of triumph and courage. I want people to walk away inspired, to appreciate the challenges and opportunities life offers. My inspiration is a bee because a bee doesn’t know its limitations. It doesn’t know that its weight is too much for them to fly, but it flies anyway. In life we often don’t have a choice on our surroundings, but we do have a choice on how we react towards it. The freedom of brush strokes adds to that sentiment.
Do you collaborate with your clients for their commissioned pieces?
Yes! Maybe a little too much. But my goal with every client is to bring out their feelings and put it on canvas. I recently created a piece for a family that lost their father. It was a beautiful piece, showing the dad holding hands with his kids walking towards the sunset. I must’ve spent hours with the client to understand who their dad was and what he meant to them. It was truly powerful. I pick up on energies, so when I sit with a client, I tap into what motivates them, which helps me understand their unique story.
Are there any specific artists who have influenced your work?
I am attached to Renoir and Chagall. Their whimsical approaches with just the right amount of sketch very much speaks to me.
libbykleinart.com
Instagram @libbykleinart
