One-on-One With Artist Hannelore (Jeanne) Livadas

Port Washington is a community filled with artists, from painters to poets to sculptors, and more. Periodically, Port Washington Patch will feature an artist in the community, and learn a little bit about the work they create, the time they devote for their art, and what drives their creativity.

This week's feature examines the work and artistic process of Hannelore (Jeanne) Livadas.

Why geese?

...I realized that I have sent you the only two pictures I have ever done of geese.  Actually, I think they are beautiful birds, however messy. I saw the geese crossing the street every day during breeding season.  They loose their flight feathers and have to walk so as not to abandon their young.  Everyone stops and waits patiently until they finally decide to make it to the other side. The other picture of Baxter Pond is a lazy afternoon in the fall.  It was more interesting with the geese and the falling water than without.  These pictures are from a series on 12 of Port Washington.

How long have you painted?

Altogether, I would say about 30 years, taking time off for family and children.  I have worked with Suzanne Young for about 10 years as well as at the Art Student League in New York.  John Pike, Jan Kunz and many others have inspired me with their books and it has been a great pleasure.

What drives you to create art?

Once you start creating something that pleases you and others you are basically hooked.  You learn to see what other people ignore and bring it to their attention.

You do interesting things with light in your paintings.  How is the light in Port Washington, from an artist's perspective?

Early mornings and late afternoons are generally the best times to take pictures while shadows are present.  Since we are near water, the sky seems larger.  All my landscape pictures are set near water, may it be ocean, lake, pond or brook.  I look for dabbled sunlight on rocks or trees and I'm especially inspired by a beautiful sunset.  By including light and water, I hope to bring life to these landscapes for others to enjoy.

What kind of encouragement did you receive as an artist?

At the age of 10 I entered a private high school in Germany that had an excellent art department.  Our pictures were framed and hung in the hallways, and it was a great honor to be selected.  We were working on pencil drawings or watercolor and after nine years I had a good comprehension of the medium.

What is your process – for instance, do you paint every day, when, first thing in the morning, or after taking a walk, or when the mood strikes you - or maybe something else?

Generally, I take an early walk  – wherever I might be, Caribbean, Montauk, Germany – camera in hand, just in case I see something interesting, then life takes over.  In the afternoon, when all is quiet, I look at all the footage and make decisions on how to bring these images from different times and sometimes different places, into one cohesive painting.

The thinking process is ofter very difficult and time consuming.  I always joke, it is like laying an egg.  At other times, I hardly need to sketch and everything flows freely and easily.

Art has enhanced my life tremendously and I am grateful to have the chance to create.