Happy Friday

TGIF!!

Today was a very productive day! I was up super early this morning, painting of course!

Most of this afternoon was spent rearranging things and organizing stuff in the studio. I am getting ready to do a complete remodelling project to help make my studio more efficient.

I got a charge out of seeing all the portfolios my mother kept of all my drawings and paintings since I was a little girl. I haven't had the time to actually sit and go through everything yet, but it will happen bit by bit this year. Or, at least that's my goal.

As I come across all the cool "vintage Lefcort" pieces, I'll post some pics. Already, Jay and I have been brainstorming some really exciting ideas for upcoming shows. Days like today are great for me because I feel like I really accomplished a lot...and still have so much to do. A day where Time just completely flew by me!

This weekend will be a working weekend for me, as I have been on a roll completing commissions and starting new projects. However, I am taking Sunday afternoon to enjoy the Superbowl!! (Go Steelers!)

Retro Tuesday

This painting of Luciano Pavarotti is very special to me. A few years back, I was chosen to paint the potrait of the "Person of the Year" for the Grammys charitable arm, MusiCares. Mr. Pavarotti was given this special honor and I was privileged to give him this gift. Also, I was able to attend this star-studded event, a few days before the Grammy awards.

The formal function was held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. While hanging out with celebrities like David Crosby and Tony Bennett in the Silent Auction (this is also the night that Deborah Gibson bought my portrait of Elton John), record producer Phil Ramone came up to me and told me how much Mr. Pavarotti loved his portrait. They had just presented it to him in his suite upstairs.

Mr. Ramone, also a collector (he has my portrait of Quincy Jones in his office), proceeded to describe to me with much enthusiasm how Pavarotti kept covering his eyes with his hand, a la peek-a-boo, and then moved his hand to see the portrait and exclaiming, "She got it!! She got it!!"

Mr. Ramone told me how Mr. Pavarotti was eager to meet me and would I please come down to their table during the dinner so he could introduce us. I pretended not to be shy and said, "Of course!"

"Holy shnikees!!" was what was actually going through my head. Anyway, during dinner, I got over my anxiety and headed over to their table, front and center. Mr. Ramone saw me coming and got up, whispered something to Pavarotti, and then shuffled me right beside him!!

Pavarotti was probably the biggest man I have ever seen, and his presence was even bigger than his physical being. But I am a tall 5'4" and seated, he was almost as tall as me!! Pavarotti immediately took his oversized hand and grabbed my right hand, held it to his heart and told me with his Italian accent, "Eets boooteeful. I lahv eet!" Here is where I would like to tell you that I said wonderful things like, "It's my privilege and honor to meet you!" "You are a living legend!" "I'm such a big fan!" Things like that....but I cannot honestly say that. I believe the exact words that I uttered to one of the greatest tenors the world has known was: "That's so cool!" That's it. I crack myself up remembering how nervous I was and how my mind went blank.

I'm sure we exchanged a few other niceities and I was also introduced around the table. I got to meet Sting (who actually stepped on my foot while getting up to meet me), Aretha Franklin, and Natalie Cole. And those people were just at Mr. Pavarotti's table!!

The evening was amazing!! Among other performances, I got to see Pavarotti sing an aria with Aretha Franklin, on stage, just for the lucky people at this event!

I should have also said that I painted three portraits, all 48" x 48", for this event. One for Pavarotti himself. One that hangs in the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles, California. And one that I asked to be signed by Pavarotti, if he didn't mind, for my personal collection. He didn't mind, and a few weeks after the award ceremony, I received my autographed painting!!

Sadly, when Pavarotti died, I was on a train heading from London to Manchester.
Meeting him was definitely one of the extraordinary highlights of my life so far.

TGIF

Happy Friday!!

Last week's excursion to my friend's art show was fantastic!

I was really delighted to know that "pop art" is alive and well!!

There were paintings, drawings, bronze sculptures, fiberglass masterpieces, and ceramic objects d'art, depicting some of the most beloved "pop" icons. One of my favorites was a ceramic piece of a giant Campbell's Soup can. It has been the ultimate pop icon since Andy Warhol made it so in 1962 by silkscreening 32 canvases with all the different varieties of soup.

When I was in elementary school in Miami my class took a field trip to one of the art museums downtown. Lucky for me there was a Warhol exhibition going on and it was through wide open eyes (and a giant smile on my face) that I saw some of these soup cans! I also remember his pieces of Howdy Doody and Superman, as well as some of Andy's self-portraits. I was greatly attracted to his use of diamond dust. Interestingly, as a 10 year old little girl, I had no idea what exactly I was looking at, nor did I have any notion of the impact this field trip would have on the rest of my life.

Still, to this day, I get excited when I see pop art; I just love it. And, truthfully, that's why I do it.

Inauguration Day!

It is with a patriotic spirit that I am posting today.

How amazing to watch the Inauguration of Obama with millions of people and feel like such and integral part of history!!

I am truly touched by the enormity and importance of this remarkable occasion. Spurred by my overwhleming sense of pride and excitement of the day, I got out my trusty sketch pad and went to work. Every original painting I do starts as a pencil and marker sketch on paper. I have been working on ideas for this sketch since Obama's nomination, but only today have I actually completed it. Fitting, isn't it? This sketch will become an all-acrylic original in the near future, and when it's finished the title will be "With Hope And Virtue."

Forever an optimist, I will end this blog with an Obama quote that I find most inspiring: "I'm asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about real change in Washington...I'm asking you to believe in yours."

Still workin...

Hi everybody!

I am really excited about the new format for the website! All week I have been looking forward to updating you all on the progress in the studio!

This past week in sunny South Florida has been beautiful! We have had highs in '70s and lows in the '60s...perfect weather as far as I am concerned. I have had all the windows and doors open in the studio, trying to simulate working outside. I love the fresh air and the cool breeze. My paints, on the other hand, do not dry as usual which is mildly frustrating when I am trying to keep to my painting schedule. But perfect weather definitely makes up for it!!

One of the pieces I got started on this week is "NYC Lennon." This piece was commissioned by my good friends Jim and Viv. I really hope they enjoy it when they finally receive it!

I am surely looking forward to the weekend. Tonight I am attending an art exhibition for my friend Jonathan Stein (shout out!) up at PB3 in West Palm Beach, Florida. I am also going to try to spend some time with friends and family before getting back to the swing of things next week!

Have a GREAT 3-day weekend!

First Post!!

Greetings and salutations!!
Happy New Year and welcome to my Blog!!

With a new year comes a new look for allisonlefcort.com. My New Year's resolution (or the one that I know I will keep) is to frequently update this site with exciting news and pics from my studio, gallery shows, and abroad.

I hope you all enjoy and come back often to check in with me!!

I have been very busy painting in the studio. "Elvis" is one of my newest pieces. I began it way back in November, in preparation for a demonstration aboard the Emerald Princess, where it was sold! I painted on my balcony aboard the ship at all hours of the day and night, brought the piece back to the studio and put the finishing touches on it.