DREAMS 2 – BEHIND THE SCENES

Posted on September 21, 2025 by bert leveille blog

I thought you might like to see some of the behind the scenes images to install this second 120 foot corridor art exhibition. DREAMS 2 is the second installation of a DREAMS series with work again lit by sequenced color lighting, but with the addition of projection and video and animation.

Packing the vehicles (goats) is the beginning of the installation process. But before packing there is a lot of planning and laying out both in my head and on paper and the computer. Then assessing installation needs – like hardware, media needs (tv, computer, lights, projector…). Various checklists are necessary so that once the “goats” are unloaded we can begin the process.

So, after unpacking the fun begins! Laying out the artwork…

digging into the supplies…

Is that a beer, I see on the table ? THIRSTY WORK !

actually hanging the art…

some very large artwork and mobiles…

progressing…

One last detail – finalize the location and atmosphere for our favorite tarot reader, Holly.

and then we are ready for the reveal! Lots of work for one night, but thanks to all at Starline and all behind the scenes, and my patient patron (RKD) – a memorable night and worth everything leading up to it.

If you want to see more photos and info about DREAMS 2 please visit https://www.bertleveille.com/blDREAMS2.html

appreciation

Posted on May 4, 2024 by bert leveille blog

Referencing this post from 2019.

I marvel at the things I can do now that I took for granted before my health issues; and I am starting to take for granted again. Simple things – like standing while dressing, and going up and down stairs effortlessly, and laying on my right side. I will probably never be able to do the lifting I used to do, and will always need more assistance installing an exhibition than I used to . . . My brother can’t help me anymore — he is with Mom and Dad and… But this day at The Art Center Highland Park (TACHP) was so awesome installing with Efram and Caren Helene-Rudman, the awesome curator at TACHP on the left and of course my indispensable brother — PAL — with me on the right.

Fast forward to 2024… I have been so grateful for Brooks Bahnsen stepping up as my exhibition installation assistant. We had quite a busy year in 2023. More about that later.

Back to the original post:
Crawling on the floor to paint is difficult — so when I can, I adapt …

Appreciation: I so love the movements of dancer, Ellyanna Hope Anderson — movements that I cannot emulate but can appreciate, that I can paint — movements I can feel in my soul, and attempt in the swimming pool! — in my mind anyway . . . I look forward to working with Ellyanna again. Her passion for movement (and the perfection of it) has made me more aware of how important movement is in my art. It has always been there, and I suspect will continue to play a dominant role in my work and the implementation of my artistic visions . . .

And, I am reminded of the young man from Idaho, who said, “look Mom, when the colored lights change the dancers move.” I have great appreciation for all who take the time to look at, to interact with, to experience the art I present.

My artist blog begins again

Posted on February 26, 2024 by bert leveille blog

My previous blogs got lost – If you were looking for them, I apologize and I thank you for your patience.
I hope you enjoy this new feature on my website. Technology can be very frustrating and a man with great patience says “we are all victims of technology!”

I could go on and on bemoaning my bad luck losing those blogs, but I think you’d rather hear about my art journey.

I will begin. This post has some images from my last installation “DREAMS”, which was a huge undertaking! 120 feet of mural size paintings lining the corridor in a huge banquet hall at Starline in Harvard, IL. It was the grande finale of a year as the featured installation artist for 4th Friday art events. So it all begins with a plan – a visualization of the space, then packing and transporting the art, and then the work of hanging. I wish I could say all that is fun, but bottom line the fun part is the end result!