Orna Livni - Art Star

    I was born In Tel Aviv, Israel.  Since my father played in a band, I grew up enveloped by the music of his accordion and drums. As a passionate musician, singer and dancer he encouraged me to play the piano, the violin and ballet dancing.  

In addition to concerts and recitals, I also performed in musical and live theater for children.  I was exposed to fine art early on, when I took classes at the Helena Rubinstein Museum of Art at the age of ten.  

Since I spent so many years experimenting with different forms of art, I always felt I needed the structure  (frame) of school, class, or the group to be able to express myself. Being given specific projects to complete was easier but also debilitating in some ways, as it created a dependency on other people’s expectations of me.   

Today, I finally feel that I no longer need an outside structure or task in order to create.  After many years of searching for answers on the outside, I succeeded in creating that frame within myself.  

Now my work combines, yoga, dancing, and music.  I enjoy playing with the audience’s expectations and thus establishing a dialogue.  

I like that my paintings look different from near and a far, so that one finds various aspects in the work.  I feel blessed and happy that I have created a safe place within myself that is conducive to my particular artistic expression. I now realize that art is always with us, around us and in us.  One just has to unearth it.

My influences:

So many different artists and fields have influenced my artistic development.  Graphic design, photography and architecture have deepened my understanding of visual arts.  Painters like Matisse, and specifically his use of color, Joseph Boyce and the DaDa movement enriched my artistic expression. In music, Mozart and Debussy have been core inspirations.  In dance, I admire the work of Pina Bausch and the uniquely creative way in which she interlaces the music, stage design and stage movements.

My playful side is influenced by the Contact Improvisation Dance, without any official rules, forms, or limitations.  I believe that the most important thing is to have the courage to fall, the ability to laugh it off and the will to keep dancing. 

Education:

1992 Kalisher Art Institute in Tel Aviv.

1994 Computer graphics design.

1997 Bachelor of the Arts Education.

2010 Master of Arts in Spiritual Psychology, University of Santa Monica.