Neta Levi - 10 Artists 10th Anniversary
/
Our 10 Artists for our 10th Anniversary celebration continues! Over the next 10 months our newsletter will feature 10 of our 'amaeyzing' Kids & Art artists who have been with us on our journey from 2008 to now.
We will compile all 10 artists' stories into a small book ready for our 10th Anniversary gala in San Francisco on December 1, 2018. Each of the 10 artists will also be given one word on which they will create a piece of art. These 10 pieces will be displayed together at our gala and will encompass the mission of Kids & Art. We thank these artists for taking part and inspiring us with their artwork and insightful words.
For August please meet artist Neta Levi.
1. Name, website
Neta Levi - https://www.netalevi.com/
2. What inspired you to begin your journey as an artist?
I have been an artist since a very young age. It was always very clear to me that I am. I used to take notice of everything: people, clothes, the shape of buildings, colors of flowers, arrangement of rooms, and design of spaces. I was fascinated with people who created things. I remember once showing my dad a pair of sandals that I wanted. I told him that we could make them ourselves, and so we did. He helped me cut pieces of leather, sew and hammer it all together and then I had my homemade sandals. They broke apart after a few days. I drew inspiration from the nice lady on the black and white tv, on a weekdays at four pm. She would teach how to do little crafts and I would watch, mesmerized. I remember collecting enough money to buy her set of books, and that became my summer camp and my daily bible.
3. What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work? What do you do
to get into your creative zone?
I live and breathe creativity. In every aspect. For me, every space I am in is a studio. I do different things to express my creativity so if I feel blocked in one space, I just move to another one. It can be baking something crazy, sewing a funky garment, creating a collage from old magazines, or exploring a new technique on youtube. I think that living in a state of constant creativity just keeps my juices flowing. I guess I’m lucky in this regard. I have to mention that I have a great support system at home that allows me to do so. It is not granted that I get to do what I love and to express it daily around our shared space (:.
4. What are you working on now?
Continuing my recent work and obsession with clothes and fabrics, I am now working on collage pieces that will go on t-shirts.
5. What does your art mean to you?
Art is everything to me. It is the oxygen tank that I am connected to. It is the source of energy that I need for my existence. When I was younger, I got what we call a real job, but it made me so sad, miserable, and restless. I could not wait to come home and just do something creative. Soon after, I started designing clothes for kids and created my own line.
6. What has been the most difficult challenge as an artist and who are your biggest influences?
My biggest challenge is patience. I can’t wait to see things done. I can’t wait to get to the end result. Sometimes I wish I could slow things down and really enjoy the process, which I do, just in a jittery way. Because every new thing interests me, I am always so eager to get to the finished result, that the process is exciting and restless. I am influenced by anything that is abstract, and full of color. I am drawn to folk art, native painting, and anything imaginary that is just the opposite of realism.
7. What has been your favorite accomplishment as an artist?
Each summer, I invite young artists into my home for an arts summer camp. This is my favorite thing I do as an artist. I get to work with my daughter and I have an excuse to learn new techniques, buy new materials, and see new young artists create solely based on their own pure instincts. I am extremely inspired by these artists and my creation grows thanks to them.
8. What advice would you give to someone starting out as an artist?
My advice would be to start open. It’s ok not to know your own voice or perspective when you’re just starting out, and the best part is enjoying the journey of figuring out just what kind of things you like to do, what kind of creative expression bring you joy. I often hear : “oh, I am not good at this…” I am not good in a lot of things I choose to try but it does not mean I don’t enjoy it or give it my own interpretation. start open, be ready to explore, enjoy your artistic journey. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and always be kind to your creative self.
9. If you could live in a different artistic period, which one would you chose?
I would want to sit down in a cafe in Paris in the 1900s, it was such an exciting time and place to be in. A lot of famous artists like Picasso, Matisse, Gougain, poets and novelist lived almost a symbiotic life when they often collaborate and were influence from one another. I would have loved to collaborate with Matisse!
10. Do you have a favorite art gallery? Do you have a favorite color? And why?
I do not have any one particular gallery, Pinterest is my favorite gallery! There are just endless possibilities of creativity from all over, I often find myself looking for inspiration or exploring new techniques there.
Art is everything to me. It is the oxygen tank that I am connected to. It is the source of energy that I need for my existence.
I believe art has the power to heal because…
Allow yourself to be vulnerable and always be kind to your creative self.
It’s ok not to know your own voice or perspective when you’re just starting out
I am drawn to folk art, naive painting, and anything imaginary that is just the opposite of realism.
About the artist:
Neta Levi is an Israeli born artist who lives and creates in the Bay Area. She works in a few mediums, and is inspired by bright colors, textiles, folk creations, and the natural world. Her paintings are based in collage, incorporating many different materials on a single canvas. Much of her work reflects themes present from her life in Israel, her journey as an artist, and elements from Judaism.
When she is not painting, Neta explores new forms of art like upcycling clothing, jewelry, and other crafts. During the summers she runs a kids art camp, where she continues to explore her creation with her students.
Kids & Art Foundation is thankful to have a vast community of artists who create with us. Our artists share their passion for art and their commitment to make the world a better place. Without them we cannot heal pediatric cancer through art.
If you believe in the healing power of artists then please support our artist stipends with your donations and corporate matching. All donations are 100% tax deductible and our EIN is 27-1415727