so what's the idea?
I've always been a rather cheerful person but I had one issue I couldn't speak of. It was just too sensitive. I'd avoid any approach to this topic for years until at some point I started painting pictures about it. I was surprised to find myself doing this, being used to keeping a safe distance from my "monster". Even though, I realized this led me to the beginning of an amazing process. I found a way to express and help myself through paintings and felt grateful for the ability to do so. But then I said "wait a minute! what about all the people who can't paint?" how do they deal with their issues?
And that's how I came up with this idea... In my work, I wish to offer an artistic expression to other people's emotions, thoughts, fears and stories.
I discovered that when you manage to frame a feeling in a painting, it becomes accessible and simpler. It rests like a wild animal in a cage - powerful and crazy but not as scary. Heck, it's even pretty.
Step one | coffee, cookies and a talk: we meet up for a one on one conversation in which you share your story with me. Don't worry; it's a very comfortable, non-judgmental talk that's meant for me to understand your background and vibe.
Step two | I paint: I create a painting based on the things that you've told me. My aim is to express you, your emotions and feelings in a visual way.
Step three | we meet again: during this meeting you will receive your painting, which was created based on your story. We'll talk about it a bit and then the both of you will go to your home to get to know each other better...
examples
how does it work?
what's in it for you?
Documentation and Perpetuation in an artistic form. something that explains a feeling/ moment/ story in your life for you to remember and communicate with. The whole process, from the point of talking until the actual being of the painting is liberating and emotionaly healthy. I found that it can pave a way for people to communicate better with themselves. Eventually, you receive a piece of art that was custom made for you
בקרוב: סרטון עדות מצולמת של נילי
Nili speaking of her experience and feelings during the process
soon: a video of Nili talking about her experience
So you're going to paint me? Maybe but not necessarily. This depends on the theme of the painting and your personal Preferences
Can I bring an idea for a painting? Yeah, if you have one, bring it & we'll talk about it
What will the size of the painting be? Usually somewhere around 35X45 let me know if you have any special requests or a wall that you intend for the artwork
What happens if I don't like the painting that comes out? That's ok. You will be asked to pay only half of the price in advance and the other half will be optional after the painting is complete. You won't have to buy it.
frequently asked questions:
acrylic on kanvas 50X70 cm origional painting: 3200 NIS printing 25X35 cm : 120 NIS
Nili Dor Haela
Nili is a very colorful woman. She leads groups that practice laughter therapy and women leadership. During our conversation, Nili shared many aspects of her life with me; among them were happy stories as well as sad ones. On the scent of the meeting, I chose to make a painting concerning the complication of Nili's family. She described her parents rigid and very in-approving of her style and behavior. Her father worked in the aviation field and it was expected from her to keep up with the family reputation, in which she didn't fit in. Food was always an issue in her home as a status of honor and respect. Only high class dishes were aloud around the table and it all felt like a big show off.
Airplane
In this painting I chose to deal with a specific period in Nili's family life. Her mother became ill and suffered a drastic loss of capability. In her visits, Nili was exposed to unpleasant scenes in which her mother needed to be washed and fed as a child. At this time another tragedy struck the family when Nili's brother died in an air crash.
The painting shows Nili feeding her mother as you would feed a child. The arm motion resenbles an airplane, a word that contains another trauma in the family history. In the background appears the father with his constant criticism look. Although all these, Nili manages somehow to maintain her cheerful nature.
Family portrait
This is Another painting I made concerning the harsh atmosphere surrounding Nili as she grew up. As appose to the second painting, this one doesn't present a specific situation in it's composition but aims to capture a certain vibe.
It's a family portrait in black & white except for Nili, who stands out being colorful and happy, splashing color all around her.
Stav Zuriel
Stav is a very intelligent, Responsible young woman. She's a third year student for architecture and so far, she manages to keep a perfectly high grade average. She works very hard to maintain her reputation as a talented straight A student. The problem is that this sometimes costs her her peace and relaxation. She feels she's a slave to the expectations from her and finds herself constantly unsatisfied.
OCD | Obsessive thoughts
The many efforts Stav makes for her achievements have found expression in other aspects of her life. She noticed obsessive patterns in her behavior which she cannot explain. She doesn't know why but she can't fall asleep knowing that her shoes aren't arranged properly or feels uncomfortable if the air conditioning temperature is set to an odd number. These patterns take away her ability to be spontaneous and to enjoy a comfortable, relaxed life.
In this painting, I wished to give a visual expression to the confusion and obsession that bother Stav. The thoughts go over each other, mix together and leave no room for a clear thought in her troubled head
Adi Gilboa
During her teenage years, Adi had a relatively large body form. She always felt big and clumsy compared to her classmates and tried different ways to lose weight and fit in. The effort to lose weight became a subject Adi felt ashamed about and she would try to hide her eating disorder in every way. This alone demanded a great deal of energy from Adi, who found herself exhausted from the whole issue. Today Adi is older and more balanced but still far from being happy with her body. At least she manages to talk about it a little.
My body & I
in this painting there is a character seperated from her body. As a matter of fact, she is disgusted by it, holding it away from her. In this I tried to express the fact that Adi is uncomfortable in her own skin. She would be happy if there was a way for her to undress it and choose something else that fits the image of beauty that she has in her head.
Guy was born and raised in Haifa, Israel. He was the class geek and suffered from a low social status. The hardest thing to face was gym class. When the kids chose groups for games, he was always left last and felt ashamed. He'd join the team in a "clumsy bear-like walk" in his words. Things began to improve in high school, when it became noticed that Guy was good at math's. This gave him a sort of approve that he has something to offer that others don't. When he grew up, he studied math's at the Technion institute, where his self-esteem continued to heal. Another major achievement for him was signing up for the gym, to which he goes frequently and today he finally is "the best kid in sports"
Guy Zeevi
Podium
During the conversation with guy, I felt he expressed a combination of pride and shame. On one hand, his story shows a great success both in his personal life and his physical condition, on the other hand, we all know that the "fat kid inside us" lives forever. In addition, he still feels ashamed about wanting to change.
I chose to paint Guy sitting nonchalant on a winner's podium where instead of the number one appear three complicated mathematical equations. If you manage to solve tham, you realize that X equals one. The meaning behind this is that only people who have the brains and patience to hold back a moment and solve the riddle get to understand and enjoy guy's personality. Guy has always had his talent and values for the world to enjoy, but only when he grew up did he receive the skills to solve the equation and realize that.
Naama grew up in a religious family in a kibbutz. She is one of the seven brothers and sisters. As she grew up, she grew apart from religion and moved to Tel Aviv. Our meeting caught Naama during search for a job and in general I felt that she was "in search". Search of partner, search of definition, search for things to fall into place. She is a fun, friendly girl and it seems like she has many friends. The problem is, she doesn't feel that way. When she was really in need of a friend to hear her out, she found that she was alone.
Naama Zaks
Hear me out
The painting aims to capture the loneliness and alienation that Naama had described. In most of the relationships she has with her friends, she is usually the "listener". On the other hand, when she was in need for someone to hear her out, she found that no one was really interested in listening. She feels as if her obligation is to entertain her chat companion and she is much too aware of herself among friends.
I chose to paint her hugging an ear on a home couch as if they're both staring at an invisible TV. They are sitting together like "buddies" but are actually foreign to each other. The ear is more of an instrument than a friend and it seems rather disconnected and uptight. They are more of a team than a couple. The cold colors were chosen to emphasize and support the feeling of loneliness and silence.
oil on canvas