Tallulah Ketubahs was started by Rachel Marks, a lifelong artist and graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art. She began making ketubahs when she and her husband were married in 2009. They wanted something beautiful and unique, and couldn’t find exactly what they were looking for in the traditional places, so Rachel decided to create her own original design, featuring a peacock and peahen under a cedar tree. Rachel continued to make ketubahs and wedding contracts for friends and family members, and their friends and family members, and through word of mouth, the business grew to more than just a side project. In 2014, Rachel officially launched Tallulah Ketubahs with nine original designs. Each year she continues to add more original designs to the Print Ketubahs & Wedding Certificates collection and in 2017, she began working with guest artists to create original designs that are available exclusively through Tallulah Ketubahs. “Through Tallullah Ketubahs, I am able to put my talent and love of painting towards the wonderful purpose of creating meaningful works of art for people of all backgrounds. It is deeply rewarding to help my couples celebrate their weddings, anniversaries, new homes, and other important life-cycle events through my art”
What inspired you to become an artist?
I have always been an artist. Since I was a child, painting has been my preferred pass time and has always been a huge part of my life.
What is your specialty?
I was trained as a landscape painter, and have found a niche creating custom landscape ketubot for many of my clients. I also create home portraits, pet portraits, and custom artwork for other life cycle events.
How and where do you work?
I work in my studio in East Falls, Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, US.
What is the most indispensable item in your studio?
The 12 hours of sunlight each day that stream in through the big floor-to-ceiling windows.
Where do you take your inspiration? Are you pursuing any themes?
I find a lot of inspiration in nature, as well as modern design, and traditional folk art from a variety of cultures
What projects are you currently working on?
I have just released 4 new designs for 2019 — two that I painted and two by Guest Artists, Sarah Rafferty and Bunnie Reiss. I am really excited to roll these out over the next month. I have also begun hosting calligraphy workshops and am really excited to see where this takes me.
What is your favourite item in your current collection?
Honestly, I couldn’t pick a favorite. I like each piece for different reasons and I try to offer a variety of styles and themes to attract couples from a many backgrounds and with many different aesthetics.
Do you do bespoke work?
Yes! This is actually my preferred way of working. I love getting to know a couple and collaborate with them to bring their vision to life. It is so special to create a custom work of art that marks the beginning of a couple’s marriage – hopefully their ketubah will be with them for their entire lives together and will remind them of who they were when they were married and the promises they made to each other at that time.
Which project have you enjoyed working on the most so far?
I worked for many years as a studio artist and exhibited my figurative and landscape paintings in galleries. However, my work as a ketubah artist is so much more rewarding and fulfilling. I love the challenge of running my own business and working directly with my clients. I hope I am able to continue this work for many years.
What do you want to achieve with your work and what are your wishes for the future?
I hope to continue working with new people and helping them find a personal connection to Judaism through the tradition of a ketubah, but with modern aesthetic and a language that reflects their values and identities.
Where can we find your work?
© Alison Dunn Photography|Rachel Marks
