Photo: Courtesy of Avital Fine Art
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
I’m originally from London but have recently made Aliyah with my husband and two little daughters We experienced a lot of hashgocha protis and made it just in time before the Corona restrictions started! We are currently living in Yerushalayim.
What inspired you to become an artist?
I’ve always enjoyed art, since I was very little- I grew up in a very artistic family.
What is your specialty?
I mainly paint with oils, but I’ve also dabbled in calligraphy.
How and where do you work?
Whenever I can find the time, which often ends up being only very late at night! The apartment we are living in in Yerushalayim is very small, but I’ve still managed to squish my easel in somewhere. I would love to be able to have a dedicated space to paint – pG one day.
What is the most indispensable item in your studio space?
White spirit, turpentine. I use it a lot, to create all sorts of effects – besides from cleaning brushes!
Where do you take your inspiration? Are you pursuing any themes?
For me, thinking up a concept for a painting is often harder and more time-consuming than the actual creation of the painting. I love paintings that uniquely and distinctively convey a beautiful Torah concept.
Do you do bespoke work?
Yes- I have done one-off private commissions, but I love being able to work on long-term projects, where each painting contributes to an overall message or concept.
What projects are you currently working on?
A long-term commission for which I am creating paintings for a coffee-table style book, with Divrei Torah on the Jewish Calendar.
What is your favourite item in your current collection?
It is a piece named “Beyond the Cracks”; a painting of the Kotel with rays of light radiating outwards, the holiness concentrated beyond the stones at the place where the 3rd Beis Hamikdosh will be built, bimhera vyameinu.
How do you know when a piece is finished?
When it captures, at least a bit, of what I want it to convey.
What was the first artwork you ever sold?
An abstract painting of Yaacov’s ladder, with the colours and brushwork symbolising the to-and-fro between turmoil and tranquillity that is the life’s journey of every Jew.
Which project have you enjoyed working on the most so far?
A collection of paintings based on Jewish concepts that I created for an art fair in London. It was amazing being able to paint only what I envisioned and connected with, rather than being restricted to a client’s idea, as with a commissioned painting. The paintings complement each other in tone and colour and are available as beautiful Giclée prints on my Etsy shop.
What do you want to achieve with your work and what are your wishes for the future?
Hopefully to help others -and myself – to connect with the ideas behind the paintings- rather than just being a pretty piece to hang on the wall. PG I’ll be able to continue to paint, whether as a job or just a hobby… will have to see what future brings!
Where can we find your work?
My Etsy Shop – www.avitalfineart.etsy.com
Instagram – @avitalfineart
Email – [email protected]. I would love to hear from you!
Photos: Courtesy of Avital Fine Art
