LESLIE JAKOBOVITS
Painter of Plein-air Landscapes, Portraits & Figurative Works
“Drama and Intensity of Mexico Carry these Painterly Landscapes”
A move to a scenic Mexican village has caused Leslie Jakobovirts’ post-impressionistic paintings to become much more intimate than his well known landscapes of New Mexico.
“Here, I live in the village of Ajijic, which has the Sierre Madre Sur as a backdrop and Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico measuring 15 miles wide and 50 miles long on the south side of the village,’ says Jakobovits. “The light here is also unique and especially moving in the early mornings and at dusk. the streets are cobblestone, there are many flowering trees here with beautiful deep, rich colors of great intensity.”
Florero Mexicano 40 x 30
American Art Collector, July 2006
The scenic beauty of the area means that Jakobovits doesn’t have to travel as far as he once did to find perfect places to paint.
“It is my surroundings with its numerous moods, colors, compositions and light that inspires me,” says Jakobovits. “I can virtually pick a spot to paint and turn slightly in any direction and encounter a new image with a uniquely different feel from the first. Also, because I don’t have to drive long distances to paint as I did in New Mexico, I can now focus more and return to my spots more frequently.”
This also allows Jakobovits more opportunity to paint outside, directly in front of his subject matter.
“This new show will be village scenes of Ajijic, which I paint on site during during several visits and then complete in my studio,” says Jakobovits. “As a plein air painter, I usually follow this pattern. My New Mexican landscapes were inspired by the uniqueness of the light, the majesty and mystery of the mountains, the great distances, intensity of colors, and all this changing seasonally and daily. This work is different because the feel of the work has changed to reflect this area and is technically stronger and more composed. “
Collectors who have come to know Jakobovits’ signature style are taken by his painterly style and dramatic color compositions.
Calle Libertad 40 x 36
“In my opinion a work of art should grow on the viewer over time as a new friend might,” says Jakobovits. “If I have been successful in a painting the viewer will be able to enjoy some kind of bonding with the piece and hopefully continue to enjoy looking at it over time. Specifically, the people should look for composition, color, mood, light, form and a general cohesiveness.”
And, by painting in such a dramatic fashion, Jakobovits’ collectors feel an intimacy to the subject of the work itself.
“People tell me that they feel as though they can walk right into the picture or that they seem to be right there,” says Jakobovits. “One individual said that it was like looking at a mandala and being able to meditate on it.”
Contact Leslie at: jkbvts@yahoo.com
My Street 40 x 34