Photo: Courtesy of Ravit Shemesh
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.
My name is Ravit Shemesh, I am the creator behind RavitArts. I am an artist, musician, and educator located in Los Angeles. I received my B.A in music education and a master’s degree in teaching with an emphasis on Jewish studies. I immigrated to the United States from Israel 15 years ago with my husband and kids. I was born into a musical and artistic family. It was natural for me to gravitate towards art since it was so familiar to me and was always part of who I am. I am very dedicated to beauty, colors and optimism which emerges in my art.
What inspired you to become an artist?
As a child, growing up in a small town in the desert, my passions for nature, free spirit and beauty became my inspirations. I would draw, sketch, paint on every material that came my way. My greatest enjoyment growing up was to shop in art supply stores and my mood that day would always be lifted. The feeling of the pencil or brush in my hand would stimulate excited emotions. In my childhood, I would watch my father paint with oil paint, the smell of the oil paint still stays with me today.
What is your specialty?
After many years of experimentation I have created what I believe is now a more complex style that describes my personal style and aesthetic. My specialty is the way I combine colors in my art. I am also a perfectionist who puts a lot of attention to details. Each of my work has purpose and meaning.
How and where do you work?
I use a very small corner in the living room as my art studio. I have a small table with all my materials. I mostly work on the weekends and evenings.
What is the most indispensable item in your studio space?
My father’s watercolor artwork that I painted before he passed away. Also, my watercolor brushes and palettes.
Where do you take your inspiration? Are you pursuing any themes?
My inspirations come from Judaica, such as Jewish symbols, holidays, and blessings. The creation of each piece is not just an artwork but an artwork with purpose that can be meaningful for my audience. I hand write Hebrew calligraphy into some of the artworks. My specialty is in my “Ketubot”, which is a Jewish marriage contract. My “ketubot” are aimed towards couples who wish to have a significant, empowering, unique, and colorful artwork that can add to their once in a lifetime experience.
Do you do bespoke work?
My speciality lies in one of a kind artworks that can display anyone’s desire and passion. For my “Ketubot”, customization such as text can be requested as well as theme, size and color palette.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am currently working on greeting cards for the upcoming holidays.
What is your favourite item in your current collection?
My butterfly “Ketubah” is very special to me because of the idea behind the artwork. The idea is that the piece starts with darker, crowded butterflies in the middle then they start to fade and migrate away from the center to become free lighter butterflies. The colorful butterflies on top, symbolize the uniqueness of the groom and bride.
Photo: Courtesy of Ravit Shemesh
How do you know when a piece is finished?
My artworks are built on layers when I get to the ending stage of the piece, I check the details for every stroke of my brushes. I leave the artwork aside and come back later to see if I have more details to add or correct. If I feel that the piece is complete and I do not have an urge to add more details, I put it to rest inside a protector and I know it is done.
What was the first artwork you ever sold?
I sold a beautiful, colorful, tree of life “Ketubah”.
Which project have you enjoyed working on the most so far?
I love working on my “Ketubot” because they are very personal and full of details.
What do you want to achieve with your work and what are your wishes for the future?
I love to share my soul and creativity with others and it is very meaningful to me to know that my artworks include blessings that can be added to people’s lives. I wish to be able to get my art to the right audience, to engage with them in a way that would attract them to my art and to my heart.
Where can we find your work?
My work can be found on my website www.ravitarts.com as well as on @ravitarts on facebook and instagram. Inquiries can be submitted on the website.
Photos: Courtesy of Ravit Shemesh
