Flowers

Flowers carry rich symbolism. They are the colorful sculptures of the natural world. Since the ancient civilizations, artists have depicted flowers in various forms of art and design. These delicate plants change throughout the year. As every flower is slightly different, every painting has its slight variations as well. 

I grew up in Mendoza, Argentina, at the foothills of the Andes mountain range. I lived there with full views of wineries, mountains, and a vivid natural landscape. Nature has always been a focus for me. She is my muse: the trees, the rivers, the natural abundance. When the seasons would change the rolling green hills at the base of the mountains would turn orange and yellow and white with flowers. This not only provided powerful inspiration for my early works but stayed with me throughout my artistic career.

When I was 20 I resettled in Kibbutz Karmia, Again I found myself in a beautiful natural setting where once a year every hill and every field would turn a bright red as the scarlet anemones would blossom. After the rainfalls in February, we would celebrate Darom Adom (Red South) with various festivities in the flower fields. 

All my life flowers have surrounded me. But not just where I live. When traveling in a city, I always take note of the little white blossom pushing it’s a way through the cracks of a sidewalk, or the aromatic purple bloom hanging gently from the end of a branch. They always say ‘stop and smell the roses,’ I say ‘tread slowly for there are flowers everywhere and you can see all kinds of things.’ 

SEE THE FULL COLLECTION

Notes: A Symphony of Color

As an artist, I have the unique job of composing color, light, and energy. When I was only 16, I heard jazz for the first time and have been listening to it ever since. Like a jazz composer, I create art inspired by the world around me. I didn’t study color or drawing. I observed everything in the field of art from Rembrandt to Picasso, Caravaggio, Frank Stella, and Matisse. From each one of those great artists, I learned something in observing them. I learned how to play with shape and movement create a world full of optimism and beauty. It’s simple, very simple. 

All of the things I create are filled with vibrant colors and soul. Just like the music I fill my studio with, soul is base of everything. Soul music incorporates rhythm and blues. There is an emphasis on the intensity of feelings, and this is what I am portraying through the paintings in my collection ‘Notes.’ 

These are special paintings for me, created using exuberant colors dancing across the staff. Once gilded with gold or silver leaf, the wooden or metal panel sits there waiting for the music. I can see the blank space in front of me, and it is devoid of song, wanting a tune to fulfill its destiny. The inspiration comes to me while I am working, not before. So the blank canvas waits for the music to pour out of me. Once we are there, together, at that moment I can tell will this piece become; hot jazz in Chicago, a New York Musical, or maybe Mississippi Rock. Then, and only then, do I get the pleasure of allowing the music to play. 

I started playing with sculpture and pottery at age 13 while I was still living in Mendoza, and I have never stopped playing since. I play with colors. I play with the materials. I play with the explosive movements of sound. I play with joy. I play with jazz. When it comes to ‘Notes,’ I never stop playing.

SEE THE FULL COLLECTION