Silk Collage

Hannah's Challah Cover

Brad's Challah Cover

These are two challah covers (sabbath bread covers) that were commissioned as gifts by my sister-in-law Betty Ann for her friend's twins B'nai Mitzvah. Each piece contains work created by the child, and then complementary pieces painted by me. I have also calligraphied the blessing over bread, the child's name and B'nai Mitzvah date. All the pieces have been sewn together to create a challah cover about 16 x 20 inches.

Starry Night

Starry Night, 43 x 72, Silk Dyes on Silk Fabric.

Here is the finished tallit (Jewish Prayer Shawl). I posted the watercolor sketch of this piece on 3/20 (about three posts down). It is 43 x 72, silk dyes on silk fabric.

Red Kale

Red Kale, Watercolor, 10 x 12

Green Silk Scarves

Two new scarves, 11 x 60 each.

Watercolor Sketch for Large Prayer Shawl

In December I posted two watercolor sketches (1) (2) that were studies for a large Jewish prayer shawl. The client asked for a third and final sketch, which is today's posting. Next week I'll post the finished silk prayer shawl that is based on this sketch. Stay tuned!

Figure Study

Susan in the Boudoir, Watercolor with Watercolor Crayon, 22 x 15

Gesture Drawings from Life

I'm continuing my participation in the Modeling Sessions that Kamillia organizes. We usually warm up with a series of 3 and 5 minute gestures drawings. Here are a few samples. Done on Bond paper with Caran D'ache watercolor crayons.

Thank you to Dean, Erika and Irit, who have recently tagged me or honored me with a blog award. I am really grateful to them all for their interest in my work and blog. Please visit their blogs to see the great art they are creating (If you love trivia, I played the tag game in November - you can find it in my blog archives...)!

Look What I Won!

Fabulous Artist Blogger Akiko Watanabe raffled one of her amazing paintings to show appreciation for her blog followers (me being one of them), and look what came in the mail today! This is an acrylic ACEO (2.5 x 3.5). This little beauty is amazing in its sensitivity and detail.

Thank you, Akiko!

Silk Scarves

These are 11 x 60, and each one has unique salt texture, created by different kinds of salt thrown on to the wet dyes. $65.00 each. Email me to purchase (click image for larger view).

Dos Trios

Dos Trios, 12 x 16, Oil on Panel

Small Works II

Three Bananas, 3.5 x 5, Oil on Panel

Small Works I

One Strawberry, Oil on Panel, 5 x 3.5

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.

Ratatouille

Ratatouille, Pastel, 20 x 24

Along with the honor of jurying the San Clemente Art Association's exhibit (see below), I was invited to bring a painting that will be part of the exhibit. Gail, one of the volunteers, said they were hoping for a pastel, so I obliged them with my most recent pastel piece.

San Clemente Art Show

I was asked to be one of three jurors for San Clemente Art Association's Juried Exhibit. So on Saturday, I mosied on over and examined more than 140 entries.
Big job! Lots of quality entries, and every piece contained strengths. The gallery is run by volunteers like Pam Hill (below) and they are very well organized. Each juror rated each painting in five different categories on a scale of one to ten. Those ratings will be tallied together by the volunteers.
The show is open now and throughout the month of March. A reception will be held this coming Saturday. Check their web site for more info.

Last Weekend

Last weekend I displayed my silk prayer shawls, scarves, etc. at the Southwest Region of the Union for Reform Judaism's Biennial Conference, which was held at the Hyatt in Irvine, CA. Here is the lovely and talented Julie, who assisted me with the event.

Many thanks go to Julie for making the weekend much more easier, and especially, much more fun!
We invited the conference participants to paint with us. Here, they are helping us to create a pomegranate challah (sabbath holiday bread) cover.
The challah covers that participants created with us will be donated to Jewish philanthropic fundraising organizations, such as ORT and Hadassah.

"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!

"Different Strokes" Challenge

Victorian House, Oil over Silk Dyes on Paper, 7.5 x 5.5

Every two weeks Karin Jurick invites artists to submit their own rendition of a photo she posts. This time it was a San Francisco Victorian house. You can find this "Painting Challenge" on her blog, Different Strokes from Different Folks.

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.