Mara's Tree

Mara requested a painting of a tree.  So, when hiking on the family farm in Marshall, I sketched this picture of her.  There are several accent stamps of red flowers celebrating Israeli export. If you look closely, you see stamps of Israeli landscapes as well as Yellowstone National Park. Four versions of Herzl can be found and two references to Air France.  A stamp commemorates the opening of a post office in the city of Tul Karem, in the West Bank.  The city's name means "mount of vineyards."  Interestingly, Mara sits on a tree overlooking a field to be transformed to a vineyard.  In addition, part of an Israeli postcard depicting a shepherdess and her sheep is incorporated in the background.  After making this piece, I learned that biodynamic vineyards use sheep to graze between the vines.  

The Piano Player

On April 2nd, 2008, Lang Lang, the young, famed pianist from China, performed at Hill Auditorium. With binoculars in one hand and a pen in the other, a series of blind contours unfolded which I later recomposed in this painting.  Tickets and selections played by Lang Lang are worked into the collage as are two special Israeli stamps.  One commemorates the Hebrew alphabet and is reminiscent of a story where the letters rise up to find their meaning in heaven just as the powerful performance of this musician raises one's spirit. (15 x 21)

Tribute to A New Earth

Based on sketches from the webcast of "A New Earth", this painting captures the consciousness raising dialogue between Oprah, who sponsored the event, and Eckhart Tolle, who wrote the book.  (22 x 30)

The 50th

They gather around their gift, a book containing photographs from 50 years of marriage.  The stamps placed in this painting symbolically capture the light of marriage, via the candlesticks, the partnership of marriage via dual-mirrored sculpture, and a commemorative 50th anniversary. In honor of Frank and Ruth's 50th wedding anniversary. (15 x 18.5) nfs

Sand Castle

Various shades of brown stamps scattered through the sand include commemorations of Israeli architecture and museums, and a vintage postcard of the Old City wall in Jerusalem, befitting the young girl's handiwork.  There too are stamps of FDR, an architect of a different order. Stamps of martyrs loom in the sky.  And in the faintest upper left corner is the stamp of a lioness sculpture, posed identically to the girl.  Both emanate courage.  (22 x 30)

Behold

The multicolored stamps in this piece celebrate "Education" and include excerpts from scripture in both hebrew and english including: "But you shall meditate on it day and night" (Joshua), "  "The beginning of wisdom is this:  Get Wisdom,"  and "Train up a child in the way he should go."  The dark purple stamps in the middle honor Telecommunications.   The bottom right recognizes Apollo 15.  Others observe Youth Day and the upper right stamp pays tribute to the Gold Drinking Horn from 5th century Persia.  One stamp, in Hebrew only, refers to the three pilgrimage holidays of the Jewish year (Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot).  The Fencer wields gracefully through these stamp's messages-- biblical, cultural, and modern, delivered throughout life.  (22 x 30)

Equal

The boxing boys mirror each other.   Their moves are the same.  One is neither better nor stronger.  They are light on their feet and playful; they are One.  (11 x 13)

Sadie & Grace

(22 x 30)

Possibilities

(19 x 12.75)

Refugees: Huck and Jim

Inspired by the play, Big River, Huck and Jim share life stories.  The stamp of a dove hovers by Jim, indicating land and freedom are near.  On Huck's side of the raft, a cut-out of a map of Israel and Lebanon alludes to refugees today.  The day sky holds stars of hope and direction. Two friends, momentarily free from society's collective ego, drift along.   (22 x 30 in)  

In honor of Howard Adelman, founder of the Centre for Refugee Studies (Canada), on the occasion of his 70th birthday. 

Drawing Party

Stamps depicting the different gates (Jaffa, New, Damascus, Herod) surrounding the Old City of Jerusalem stream through the painting. Just as one enters the Old City through ancient gates, this youthful group gathers around the act of drawing, expressing outward, what is inward, just as the gates lead one in or out.    (13 x 22 in)

In honor of cousin David Zinn who, when he draws, draws a crowd. 

Striped Top

Feeling refreshed and light after dancing and stretching, she glides across the floor, ready to embrace her day.   (7 x 30 in)  In honor of Tula and her forthcoming baby.

Namaste

Yogis conclude class with stretching, each in their body's way, as the teacher reflects back with namaste.  Gifted.   (15 x 30 in)  Variations available.

Yoga Heart

This painting, commissioned by a Yoga Studio, includes stamps commemorating the Chagall Windows.  As the heart opens, so do windows to the soul, allowing for spiritual rebirth as suggested by the stamp of The Resurrection to the heart's right.  On the heart is also a stamp of an airplane (in the shape of a cross), suggesting lift-off into spiritual heights.   (22 x 30 in)   

Soldier Rockettes

The Rockettes as Nutcracker soldiers in domino formation. Drawn during a live performance of the 75th Anniversary Christmas Spectacular. In honor of Pete and Cheryl.  Sold. (8 x 4 in)

Golf Lesson

In honor of Frank and his timeless patience teaching two daughters in the ways of golf.  (22 x30 in) Nfs.  Variations available.

The Dancer

 

The Dancer in purple (9 x 30 in).  Sold.  

The Dancer in red (9 x 30 in). Available.

In honor of Theresa.

Swimmer in Blue

A stamp in the bottom left corner honors the painting, Lady in Blue, at the Tel Aviv Museum. Hence the name for this painting.  The background includes stamps saluting the martyrs of the gallows, the port city of Akko and a Phoenician Ivory Sphinx.   The Swimmer squats by the water, contemplating her way across.   (22 x 30 in) Gifted to Carter and Karen.

Swim Lesson

The same young girl appears mulitple times in her swim lesson diving, kicking, and springing while simultaneously standing and staring...at herself in the pool.   (22 x 16 in) Nfs. Variations available.  In honor of Sadie.

The Magician

The Magician holds secrets. Postcards featuring mosaics from synagogue ruins including a zodiac hint at those secrets.  The face is steady while the hands move, indicating magic. The orange stamp on the lapel honors the United Nations' claim "to live together in peace with one another."  Perhaps the magician is manifesting this secret.  (22 x 30 in)

Sample Stamps from The Magician

NIA

This piece was inspired by the Nia form of dance.   The music found its way into my lines as the dancers step to a jazz square.  In honor of Ana Powell who inspired the lyrical lines of this piece.   (22 x 30 in) Gifted  (Variations available.)

Big River

Inspired by the play, Big River, the figure's gesture is universal; one of offering or sacrifice. The stamp of Tzahal, Israel's army, is repeated in the painting, moving from the figure's backside, into the light reflecting off the figure's face.  Is the symbol of army transmuted into another energy?  From where comes the Light?   (22 x 25 in) 

Stamp from Big River

Visit of the Empress

Inspired by the Chinese opera, Second Visit to the Empress, some stamps here commemorate Olympic athletes from the 1972 Munich Massacre.  11 dancers grace the painting in memory of 11 athletes.  The figure of the Empress appears by a stamp of King David; their movements mimic each other.  "...and David administered justice and equity to all his people" reads the stamp.  Similarly, the Empress acts in kind for the benefit of her people.    (30 x 12.5)

Up the Road

Stamps of influential figures from history, the biblical Sarah, FDR, and Ben Gurion, dwell within the forest and brush along the uphill road while stamps celebrating flowers poke out.  Could history be flowering towards a new age?  What will be revealed at the crest?  Ships in the sky?  Planes in the grass?  Gifted to Rachel Snow in honor of her 50th year and the playfulness this painting revealed to her.   (22 x 26 in) Variations available. 

Close Up of M115 below

M115

Heading north on highway M115, history recedes.  In this case, Ben Gurion and Israeli planes peering through the greenery, while stamps of colorful flowers pop up on the other side. The future is not yet revealed, allowing the Present to be.  Reserved. (22 x 26 in)  In honor of Gustaf Andreasen.

Magic Flute

Inspired by the musicians in Cambodia's performance of the Magic Flute who sat in the background of the action playing perfectly and magically. For this, I have pulled them to the foreground and placed their images on long paper, in the shape of a flute.  (22 x 5 in) 

Rockettes

Recomposed sketches from a live performance of The Rockettes' 75th Anniversary Christmas Spectacular in New York City on December 11, 2007, led to this piece. Under giant ornaments, the dancers descend sparkly staircases providing exhilerating entertainment.     (22 x 30 in)  In honor of Joanne Chalat's 80th birthday celebration. SOLD

Radio City Music Hall

This piece is the first in the series celebrating the Rockettes' 75th Anniversary Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall in December 2007.  The opening number with its shiny ornaments, and the patriotic colors bring together ideas of Christmas and America.  Repeated images convey the engaging, whelming choreography. Israeli stamps of reds and blues are found throughout and add texture to the piece.

 (22 x 30 in)  In honor of Eileen Isenberg for making this painting possible.   

Oklahoma

Stratford's production of the musical, Oklahoma, made its finale November 2007 and I was there to capture the actors' movements with pen and paper.  Cowboys danced, twirled lassos, and spun to memorable tunes.  These sketches made it to the painting with stamps repeating the energetic yellow line supporting the composition.  Those stamps mark new technology and represent the tension between old and new, not only in Oklahoma, but all times.  Gifted (22 x 30 in) Variations available.  In honor of Ruth Zinn who made this painting possible.