The best art studio, ever.

The best art studio, ever.

After taking some time to recover from back surgery, I’ve been welcomed back to the best job in the world. Nothing better.

The ten commandments & the eternal light

The ten commandments & eternal light

I painted this for a commission to an out going Temple E. president.
This is a watercolor & it took days to figure out how to make the highlights on the door.

Prayerbook watercolor painting

Prayerbook watercolor painting

Soft velvet, golden thread, a silver breast plate, with a silver yud hanging by a silver chain. This is the smallest Torah the Temple has. I chose to paint this one because my thirteen year old daughter was going to carry it during her Bat Mitzvah.

Get Better soon cards via Sunday school kids

Get Better soon cards via Sunday school kids

I taught k-6 to express themselves through art. Not like at regular school. We learn to use different materials making new things. We try to figure out together how something will work. We tell stories from the Torah, or make decorations so our holiday’s shine. The kids have taught me not to worry about the end of the work, but to focus on the now, they taught me to enjoy how paint between my fingers feels.
When entering the most magical of art rooms in the city of Birmingham, all troubles stop before entering. Only children with imaginations are allowed in this special space designed to create our own worlds, to become brave Maccabees or King David, We create God’s seven days, We can float on a boat with Noah gathering his animals & letting loose the dove. Stories stick better when they come along with an personal art.
I hope someday I will teach art again, to walk into that room & feel it in my bones that I’m supposed to be there.
Love to all my card makers. I miss you all very much. The cards are a treasure that I will carry with me forever & take out when I feel blue. Or remind my bones, they need to paint!

prayerbooks arrive

prayerbooks arrive

It took four woman working for a year to get this book finished in time for the 125 anniversary of Temple Emanu-El. Robin made sure we were on the same page, Cantor Roskin practically lived at my parents house working on the Hebrew. And I painted & painted 30 8x10s. My mother put it all together with her talents in graphic design. This prayerbook will be held in my grandchildren’s hands. Something to pass on. If you wish to purchase the book, you have to contact Marianne @ Temple Emanu-El Birmingham, Al. Cool beans, Huh?

The Lions of Judah

The Lion's of Judah

Crooked, but the painting was curling, because I had now been scanned. I love their tales sitting outside the border lines. They are holding up a tapestry of Shabbat items.
Painted by Me.