Tallit, Tree of Life in Blue

Tallit, Tree of Life in Blue, Hand-Painted Silk, 24 x 72

Please click on image for larger view

Seven Fruits of Israel Tallit in Tennessee

Tallit, Seven Fruits of Israel, in Gold, Hand Painted Silk, 20 x 70

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You can see this tallit, and my "Tree of Life, Oranges" tallit at the Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga Community Center Gallery.  Here is an article about the exhibit.

Lake Tahoe Tallit

Lake Tahoe Tallit, Hand Painted silk, 24 x 72

Another custom created prayer shawl. Lake Tahoe is one of my favorite places 

so this piece was close to my heart.

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Noah's Ark Congregational Tallit

Noahs Ark Congregational Tallit, Hand-Painted by Many, 43 x 72

This congregational prayer shawl was designed by me and painted by religious school students at Congregation B'nai Brith Santa Barbara.  It was a great workshop!

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New Tallit, Tree of life

Tree of Life, Expanse, Hand Painted Silk, 24 x 72

Ketubbah, Sun and Moon

Ketubbah, Sun and Moon, Watercolor, 22 x 22

 I created this ketubbah for my niece and her fiance (click the image for a larger view). In addition to the ketubbah, I had the pleasure of designing a tallit (Jewish Prayer Shawl) for my niece, which the lovely couple painted in my studio, and used during their wedding. 

New Silk Prayer Shawl

Tree of Life, Oranges, 22 x 70, Hand-Painted Silk Tallit
(Jewish Prayer Shawl)
Detail below (click either image for a larger view)

Sunburst III

Sunburst III, Hand Painted Silk, 22 x 70

A new prayer shawl (tallit) which is for sale at Dayenu, Judaica at the JCCSF, a Jewish gift store inside the Jewish Community Center right in the heart of San Francisco.
For purchase, you can give them a call at (415) 563-6563.
Click on image for larger view

Creation III Tallit

Creation IIIb Tallit, 22 x 70, hand-painted silk

Cherry Blossom Tree of Life Tallit

A new tallit (Jewish prayer shawl).
70 x 22 inches, hand-painted silk.
This piece is available at Dayenu, Judaica at the JCCSF, a Jewish gift store inside the Jewish Community Center right in the heart of San Francisco.
For purchase, you can give them a call at (415) 563-6563.
Click on image for larger view

Noah's Ark, Part 8, Grand Finale

Grandma and Granddaughter came to the studio to tie the tsitsit on the tallit.

A happy granddaughter who will soon become an adult in the eyes of the Jewish community as she becomes a Bat Mitzvah.

Paisleys

Here's the latest tallit (Jewish prayer shawl) I've created. 14 x 72, Hand-painted Silk.

Vineyards Tallit

This hand-painted silk tallit (prayer shawl) is 35 x 70 inches.

Vineyards Tallit, detail 1

Vineyards Tallit, detail 2

Here's the finished prayer shawl, Tree of Life - Moon Peace, 24 x 72, hand painted silk. The watercolor sketch for this design was posted May 8th (click image for a larger view). The owner of this tallit is having his Bar Mitzvah this month. I had the privilege of making his brother's tallit a couple of years ago. Here it is, below:

Because I Love You...

"Because I love You..." Tallit (Jewish Prayer Shawl) with matching bag and kippah.
Hand Painted Silk, 14 x 72
The recipient of this tallit had her Bat Mitzvah on Valentine's Day.

"Celebrate Music" Prayer Shawl

Celebrate Music Tallit, Hand Painted Silk, 22 x 70

Peace Hearts

Peace Hearts Tallit, Hand Painted Silk,14 x 72

Another recently finished commissioned prayer shawl. This design truly started from almost nothing. The client said she would like pink. I said, okay, nice; any other colors? any special designs? Client said, no, just pink. So I did a simple design with light, medium pink and white, and once the client saw it, was then inspired, and said, I like it - can you add hearts and peace signs? Such is the way some things begin!

New Silk Prayer Shawl

Eden Tallit, Hand Painted Silk, 14 x 72
This is the finished piece from my "Calligraphy on Silk" posting of December 4th.

Calligraphy on Silk

To prepare the silk, so the calligraphy letters won't spread, I apply a layer of Jacquard's No Flow mixed down with some water. Then, I thicken up the silk dye with some Pebeo Soie Thickener. I've got a template underneath the silk for placement of the letters (and so I don't forget any). I use a flat brush, creating thick strokes with a flat stroke, and thin lines with just the edge of the brush.
This Hebrew calligraphy is the traditional blessing said when one adorns a tallit, or Jewish Prayer Shawl: "Blessed are You O Lord, our God, King of the Universe Who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to wrap ourselves in tsitsit."
The calligraphy in the context of the almost-finished prayer shawl.

Silk Painting Demo - Part 6

Here's the piece, "Earth and Sun Tallit" all finished. It's been hemmed, button holes have been sewn in the corner areas, and I've tied the "tsitsit" on the corners (click image for larger version).

The detail shot shows the Hebrew writing and the cool salt texture in the border. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoyed the demo. If you have any questions about getting started, just let me know. Happy painting!