The Hebrew Letter "Gimmel"
July 31, 2013
ב"ה
Rose VII
July 26, 2013
Ink on Paper
Artist’s Statement: Rebecca, who was raised by her wicked family, yet remained pure and steadfast in her kindness, is likened to a rose amongst thorns.
Rose VII is the concluding drawing of my venture into the fantastic tangles of roses and their thorns. I came across a clever quote that describes the relationship I had drawn:
“You can complain because roses have thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have roses.”—Tom Wilson
I think it’s important to concentrate on the beauty that “thorny” situations bear. Otherwise life will seem like a thornbush, and you will have missed out on the roses.
The Good Man
July 25, 2013
Wisdom - the Letter Yud
July 24, 2013
Oil on Canvas
Artist’s Statement: The Hebrew letter Yud represents the quality of wisdom and light that exists within every single form and manifestation of life. When you say that you are looking for the Yud in something, it means that you are looking for the innermost point of purity, wisdom, and purpose in that particular person, place, time, or thing.
Quote from "Reclaiming the Self" by Rabbi Dovber Pinson
Tu B’Av
July 23, 2013
“Etz Chayim”—The Tree of Life
July 22, 2013
Ruth & Boaz
July 19, 2013
Pastel and Ink on Paper
Artist’s Statement: The famous story of Ruth inspired me to make a set of drawings. This one shows a worried Ruth, sitting at the feet of her sleeping relative Boaz during the harvest season, hoping he will marry her and will take care of her and her impoverished mother-in-law. Her act is selfless, she does not know she will become the ancestor of Kind David, and ultimately Moshiach.
Biblical stories and the weekly Torah portion are a recurrent theme in my art.
Stones on Fire #4
My Dove in the Cleft of the Rock
July 16, 2013
Artist’s Statement: From a series of paintings inspired by extreme close-up views of the unique texture of the Western Wall rock surfaces, "married" to the flames from the L'ag B'omer bonfires, revealing countless visages and faces, as if the Kotel itself acts as a spiritual camera "photographing" its millions of visitors. In the center of the painting one may discern the form of an angelic Dove, suggesting the verse from Song of Songs (2:14), "My Dove in the Cleft of the Rock." The Dove symbolizes the Jewish people, finding shelter from their many predators and enemies, by clinging to the Rock of Faith.
The Hebrew Letter "Bet"
July 15, 2013
Kaddish Yatom (Mourner's Kaddish)
July 12, 2013
Mixed media, acrylic, and ink on stretched canvas
Artist’s Statement: This image is an expression of the prayer said by mourners during the mourning period and on the anniversary of a family member’s death.
It does not refer to our loved ones; It sanctifies G‑d’s name and affirms life. Our sages displayed wisdom in understanding that the repetition of these ancient Aramaic words is an integral part of our healing process.
There are two Hebrew words hidden in this image, chai (life) and one of G‑d's names (double “yud”).
The ladder references the Kabbalistic meditation that uses the seven words starting with the letter vav. With the recitation, the mourner envisions a ladder.
Order
July 11, 2013
Ink on Paper
Artist’s Statement: It’s amazing how well scientists have answered questions about our environment and, essentially, “ordered” the chaos of nature into science. But the flaw of indefiniteness is present in scientific theories, which is okay because of the results it produces. There is, in fact, a tremendous amount of chaos in the microscopic underworld of nature.
Our job is to find the hand of G‑d in this chaos, try to understand His ways, and somehow make order of the chaos we live in.
The Beach
July 10, 2013
Photograph
Artist’s Statement: Days after Hurricane Sandy hit the Jersey Beach, I had to go and see the damage that was done to our apartment in Monmouth Beach, NJ. After seeing what the hurricane did to all that was in its path, I decided to drive to the beach and photograph. There was such devastation. Here is just one picture of a stop sign where there had once been a road. It wasn't a picture of a building demolished, but it signified all that was there and all that is now gone.
Restored to Her Full Luminosity
July 9, 2013
Oil on Canvas
Artist’s Statement: This painting is one of three I made in response to a piece of music composed by Professor Jeanne Zaidel Rudolph, the present head of music at the University of Witwatersrand, and a member of the Chabad community in Johannesburg.
The Juggler and the King is a piano duet with two voices, representing two levels within a person’s character. The Juggler is the lower, materialistic, frivolous self, contrasted with the King, which is the noble, dignified, higher self.
In my painting I portray the majestic qualities of the Two Great Luminaries. The Talmud (Chullin 60b) explains that the sun and the moon were originally the same size. The moon protested, “Master of the Universe, is it possible for two kings to utilize the same crown?”
G‑d said to her, “(Indeed,) go and diminish yourself!”
After offering a number of consolations and seeing that the moon was not mollified, G‑d instructed His people, “Bring an atonement on My behalf for having diminished the moon.” This atonement is the goat brought as a sin offering on Rosh Chodesh.
We also know that when Moshiach comes, the moon will be restored to her full luminosity (Isaiah 30:26).
I abstractly depict a relationship that is not a power struggle, that’s not about conflict or short-circuiting. This is marriage in its mature stage, where polar opposite energies, male and female (sun and moon), interact interdependently with respect, dignity, equality and synergy.
Kotel
By Odi Kletzki
July 8, 2013
Digital
Artist’s Statement: Kotel captures the Western Wall, weathered with tears and emotion. The Western Wall it our rock, carrying us through the many difficult times our nation has endured.
A Small Amount of Light Dispels a Lot of Darkness
By Rivka Cyprys
July 5, 2013
Bride & Groom
By Tova Raeburn
July 4, 2013
Aliyah
By Brooke Sendele
July 2, 2013
Ink, Colored Pencil & Chalk Pastel on Bristol Board
Artist’s Statement: After visiting a butterfly sanctuary, I became inspired to create a drawing using these magnificent creatures as the subject. I wanted to relate the butterflies to Judaism, and went searching for a word or phrase that was relevant to them and the idea of migration and ascension. I met with my local Chabad rabbi, Rabbi Shmuel Tiechtel, and we brainstormed and came up with the word “aliyah,” quite literally meaning to ascend and to migrate to Israel.
Next Year in Jerusalem
By Cindy Lutz Kornet
July 1, 2013
Creative works exploring life and Judaism composed by a spectrum of Jewish artists.
"The primary talent of an artist is his ability to step away from the externalities of the thing and, disregarding its outer form, gaze into its innerness and perceive its essence, and to be able to convey this in his painting.This is how an artist can serve his Creator." — The Rebbe
"The primary talent of an artist is his ability to step away from the externalities of the thing and, disregarding its outer form, gaze into its innerness and perceive its essence, and to be able to convey this in his painting.This is how an artist can serve his Creator." — The Rebbe
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