Armed with a passion to capture fond & cherished moments, heartwarming memories & profound visions while suspending them in an image indefinitely, defines the body of my artistic endeavor.
Catch a fleeting moment of the intangible where the mind, heart and soul meet for that small window of uncalculated opportunity and express it through art is my intention.
Appreciating, seeking & acknowledging the serendipity & the humor in life. Artistically, I choose to focus on the good, the kindness, the beauty in people, places, nature & objects. I consciously choose to override the unimaginable & ride on the winds of the possible; the nearly impossible.
With all the tragedy and unhappiness in the world, there is much goodness to be highlighted & reckoned with; happiness to spread, kindness to illustrate. This often fleeting and sometimes momentary “gift” is the purpose and force behind my artistic expression.
As art displays the inner heart & soul of the artist, it carries its unwritten message through medium, color, shape, size and subject matter. However as the artist, the excitement and beauty is truly in the endless interpretations by its varied and individual audience. The appreciation of the hard work endured is the artists reward.
If I can evoke one sentimental, heart stirring thought or recollection from the viewer, then I have exceeded my goal as an artist.
Education
Monmouth University School of Art, West Long Branch, NJ, Fine Art
C.W. Post @ Long Island University, Greenvale, NY, Criminology~Honors
Adelphi University, Garden City, NY, Litigation Legal Assistant~Honors
Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, CA, Trial Litigation Specialist
Further Artistic Mentors & Training
George Shipperly, OPS, DuPage Art League; Fine Line Creative Arts, IL
Gary Wick, Pastelist, DuPage Art League, IL
Ann Von Ehr, PSA Pastelist, DupPage Art League, IL
Cecile Houel, PSA, IAPS Pastelist, American Portrait Society, Paris, France, IA
David Garrison, PSA, IAPS Master Pastelist, IA; Paris, France
Doug Dawson, PSA Master Pastelist, CO
Hilda Kidder, Royal Portraiture Artist, Royal Academy of London; San Francisco, CA
Jerry Power, PSA Master Pastelist, MI
Dawn Emerson, PSA, OR
Jessica Fine, PSA, IL
IAPS (International Association of Pastel Societies) Convention 2011, Albuquerque, New Mexico:
Albert Handell, Elizabeth Mowry, Richard McKinley, Margaret Dyer,
Duane Wakeman, Alan Flattman. Liz Sullivan, Maggie Price,
Fred Somers, Urania Christy-Tarbet, Jamie Markle
Sally Strand, PSA, WI
Desmond O’Hagan, PSA, IL
Professional Affiliations
National/International:
Portrait Society of America
American Impressionist Society (AIS; FL)
International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS; NM)
Chicago Pastel Painters (CPP; Chicago, IL)
AJAC (Juried Member; Chicago, IL)
Pastel Society of the West Coast (PSWC; CA)
Great Lakes Pastel Society (GLPS; Grand Rapids, MI)
Southeastern Pastel Society (SPS; GA)
Chicago Artist’s Coalition (Chicago, IL)
Local Affiliates:
DuPage Art League, Wheaton, IL
Wayne Art League, Wayne, IL
The Fine Line Creative Arts Center, St. Charles, IL
Exhibits & Awards
Swedish American Museum, 5211 Clark Street, Chicago IL. 2011 Summer Exhibition: “A Gift of Hope” honoring Raoul Wallenberg. Three LeVan paintings selected for exhibition.
Great Lakes Pastel Society, “Rendezvous with Serenity” selected for the 2011 Member’s Show Exhibition & Artist Demonstration, Three Rivers, MI
THE ART HISTORY CHANNEL: 21st CENTURY ARTISTS. Cable television network premiering Spring, 2011. One out of 100 artists selected worldwide for this premier Time/Warner Cable program & web site educating the public with quality weekly Arts programing. Artist work selected will be viewed by Museums, Collectors, leading scholars & the art media. Art History Channel, NYC, New York.
The Holmstad Gallery, Batavia, IL October 18-November 29th, 2010 . One woman exhibition of over 40 new paintings. Lectures with demonstrations & gallery tours. October 18th~November 29, 2010
W. Chicago Cultural Museum, Banner Competition Winner “Kashmir Kindness” Painting exhibited & large banner of image flown outside museum. May-September 2009
DuPage Art League Monthly Exhibitions, 2005-2010
Geneva History Center Exhibitions 2008 & 2009
Peck Farm, Geneva, IL One Woman Exhibition “Captured Between Eras” 2008
Aurora University, Dunham Gallery Exhibition 2006 Into The Light: “Best New Artists to Watch”
Publications
Mill Creek Messenger Magazine, Cover Illustrations 2008-2009
Credits
Many thanks to those who generously provided original photographic inspiration for the following works:
Ms. Udaya Raju, Fine Artist, Kashmir,India, for “Kashmir Kindness“.
Mr. Dave E. Stum, Photo Journalist, Zambia, Africa for “King David of Africa“, “Divine Intervention”.
Mr. Gary Wick, Fine Artist, Illinois, for “The Epiphany” & “Making My Way Home”.
Ms. Gerri Greenman, Fine Artist & Art Teacher, photographic reference for “Peaceful Meditation”, “Purple Mountain’s Majesty” & “Fall Symphony”.