To The Trade

House of Funk

Your Lifestyle, Elevated

  • About
    • About
      Sandra Funk and The Team
    • Press
      Television, Print, etc.
  • Services
    • Full-Service
      Interior Design
    • Online
      Interior Design
    • FAQs
      Full-Service and Online Interior Design
  • Blog
  • Portfolio
  • Contact Us
  •  

Jennifer Levine: Local Love

May 3, 2017 by House of Funk Leave a Comment

The power of art is its ability to move anyone at any time. The beauty of art is how it means different things, and evokes different feelings, in different people.

Local artist Jennifer Levine has made it her personal mission to bring art to local schools via Montclair’s Peace Garden Song and Mural Project. She and good friend Scott Massarsky founded the project three years ago to encourage children from pre-K to high school to pick up a brush and paint the walls of their schools. Massarsky, a singer and songwriter, plays music while Levine creates the murals.

In addition to this project, Levine owns an art studio on Church Street in the heart of Montclair. Centrally located, the studio gives locals and travelers alike access to original artworks, many of which are inspired by the vibrant, diverse town itself.

Read on to see where Levine finds inspiration and what her process looks like.

Jennifer Levine
Artist Jennifer Levine

Tell us how the Peace Garden Song and Mural project came to fruition:
It started because I was doing large-scale paintings in my studio with my good friend Scott Massarsky who is a singer/songwriter. He would play music and I would create artwork based on his songs.

Since I have a background in education, we decided to take it on the road and share our skills with local school children. For the past three years we have been having lots of fun creating large murals and music in schools. Children of all ages jump at the chance to dive into creativity and paint large and permanent. It’s a dream come true for them to be given permission to “paint on the walls!”

Talk to us about your Church Street Studio and why you decided to set up shop in Montclair:
Church Street is the heartbeat of Montclair. I moved to the block about eight years ago because I wanted to be where the action is. I started drawing and painting scenes of town, and those are some of my most popular pieces. Church Street provides great access for locals and out-of-towners who want to see my work.

Talk to us about your artwork and what shapes your projects:
I paint what is alive in me at the moment of creation. I find that the pieces that most draw an audience are the ones that are the truest expression of myself or what is emerging at the time I am working on it. I generally have no idea of what I am going to paint, but rather, let the process lead me.

 Peace Garden Song Mural Project
A Peace Garden Song Mural Project

Favorite type of art medium:
I recently discovered Annie Sloan’s chalk paint at Verdi Green in town, and love it for large-scale work. It’s non-toxic, and since I work with children and paint in my home studio, it is a great match for me. It’s perfect combined with any medium for a thick texture and graffiti-like effect.

I also love doing smaller-scale work, and mixing and matching pencil, watercolor, colored pencils, and collage elements.

Where do you look for inspiration?
My heart. I also love regularly going to museums and galleries in town and in NYC. My new favorite is MOMA. Those escalators make it a breeze.

A chalk painting by Jennifer Levine
A chalk painting by Jennifer Levine

Favorite travel destination:
New Paltz, NY. My boyfriend lives there, and I love the hiking and great vibe.

Favorite way to unwind after a long day:
A cup of oat straw tea and a good book!

Motto you live by:
Learn by doing.

You May Also Like...

  • Montclair, New Jersey: <br>Interior Design in an Airy TudorMontclair, New Jersey: Interior Design in an Airy Tudor
  • Hosting Thanksgiving? <br> 6 Ways to Take Your Decorations to The Next LevelHosting Thanksgiving? 6 Ways to Take Your…
  • One Room Challenge, The Big Reveal: Kids' Room Design, Hygge StyleOne Room Challenge, The Big Reveal: Kids' Room…
  • Holiday Decorating Ideas: An Interior Designer's Tips for Making Your Home FestiveHoliday Decorating Ideas: An Interior Designer's…

Filed Under: Interior Designers, New Jersey, Women Who Own It

« 5 Easy Tips For Getting Rid of Your Old Furniture (Without Feeling Bad About It)
Suze Yalof Schwartz of Unplug Meditation:
Women Who Own It
»

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Unlock Your
Design Style

Something special awaits you.

Interior Design Style QuizTAKE THE QUIZ

Inspired Reading

  • The Ultimate Guide to Powder Room Design
  • Online Interior Design: Master Bedroom Reveal
  • Travel Diary: Summit, New Jersey

Popular Blog Posts

  • Holiday Decorating Ideas: An Interior Designer's Tips for Making Your Home Festive
  • Montclair, New Jersey:
    Interior Design in an Airy Tudor
  • Scandinavian Interior Design: How To Master The Art of Hygge
  • One Room Challenge, The Big Reveal: Kids' Room Design, Hygge Style
  • The Ultimate Guide to Powder Room Design

House of Funk

Email: info@houseoffunk.com
My Account | My Orders

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

New York

House of Funk
315 West 36th St
New York, NY 10018
(212) 519-0563


Montclair

House of Funk
573 Bloomfield Ave
Montclair, NJ 07042
(973) 200-3566

Unlock Your Design Style

Something special awaits you.

Interior Design QuizTAKE THE QUIZ

© 2006-2019 House of Funk | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap
Website Design & Development by Curio Electro
Be the Hostess with the Mostest
The Ultimate Guide To Setting Your Thanksgiving Table
YOUR NAME:
YOUR EMAIL:
5 Easy Ways To Make Your
Home Feel Welcoming
Sign up below to see how I do it.
(Bonus: Shopping list included)
YOUR NAME:
YOUR EMAIL:
We Give Your Space Purpose

Space Planning
Shop the Looks
Curated Mood Boards
Decor Tips
Seasonal Decorating Advice
And more...
YOUR NAME:
YOUR EMAIL: