Meet Michelle Katz!

ORA is so pleased to welcome Michelle to our guild. Bright, enthusiastic, and dedicated to her art, she is a wonderful addition to our group!

Michelle Katz, an artist and art educator has had formal training in a variety of art media. She has a B.A. in Art History and M.A. in Art Education. Michelle has continued to paint off and on since her college years, settling on acrylic as her preferred paint. 

Michelle is inspired by artists such as Gustav Klimt, Henri Matisse, and Chuck Close whose influence can be seen in her work. Her bold, free-form shapes and the energy in her paintings represent her inner free-spirit that she does not often show.

“My goal is for the audience to discover something new with each view. I encourage you to choose a section, take in the complexity of layers, and feel the kinetic energy.”

JUNE 9th we will have our annual meeting at Neveh Shalom 2900 SW Peaceful Lane room 102- 12:30 pm!

We'll have refreshments, a very short meeting with lots of information about our art guild, updates about our fall sale, and MORE!

There will be plenty of time to meet other artists, network, and help us continue to build our remarkable community of artists! 

If you aren't a member yet, but want to be part of a Jewish artist community right here in Portland....come to this meeting!

Final Jam.........is Jammin!

The Art is simply DELICIOUS! 

This is the last week for JAM 2013 @ the MJCC!!!!!!! 

COME ON IN....BUY SOME ART!

Featured here are some photography by Bob Sorkin and below you'll find Sharon Segal's paintings. Ceramics by Glenn Decherd and paintings by Leslie Elder.

Check us out!

FInal Week of JAM 2013!

Ceramics by Glenn Decherd
and
Paintings by Leslie Elder!

One week only at the MJCC
6651 SW Capitol HWY 
Portland Oregon

503.244.0794

More photos tomorrow featuring artists Bob Sorkin and Sharon Segal!

ORA Artists Featured!!!!!!

On behalf of the Portland Kollel we would like to invite you to join us at our 2nd Annual NW Kosher Wine Tasting Dinner.

With internationally acclaimed winemaker Phil Jones of New Zealand.

5 wines paired with a light dinner for tasting.

Also featuring Art Exhibition of Anna Kodesch and David Slader of Portland.

June 12th, 7pm @ The Cheatham Hall - World Forestry Center. $75

RSVP to wine@portlandkollel.org or 502 245 5420

Everything Changes Tomorrow

Our new show went up today in a nice hallway at the mjcc because the lobby was needed for an evening event. Monday morning we'll shift everything to the lobby and it will be time for closeups.

Week #3 of JAM features artists Diane Fredgant, Jonathon Lietz, Esther Liberman, and Eddy Shuldman.

Visit tomorrow and see what we're up to!

JAM @ the J part 2:

More paintings...this time by Michelle Katz. All the paintings drew lots of attention on my shift, but there was an adorable 4 or 5 year old who saw Michelle's work. He gasped and shouted: "Oh Mama look! ....and look.....and look!!!!!" His mom looked at him with astonishment and asked which one he liked....."ALL OF THEM!!!!!!! I agree!

Hangin' at the J

Thoroughly enjoyed my shift at the JAM lobby show at the MJCC on Monday.
I finally got to meet artist Ahuva Shmueli and see her work up close and personal! WOW! 
I invite you all to get out and see her work! Here's a preview! I know it's not a close up....for that, you need to come to the J. 
I love the way she has captured scenes of Portland....you will too! The show closes Friday afternoon so come soon! 

JAM goes to Hillsboro Oregon!

Blessings and Bounty

An art exhibit by Barbara E. Berger — 26 of her photographs with blessings

RoseSprings Center Gallery, Hillsboro Oregon, May – June 29, 2013

When I visited my grandparents as a small child, I learned traditional Jewish prayers and blessings.  They expected me to express a ritual appreciation for what I received; drinking a glass of water, washing my hands, going to sleep  . . . my days with them became a series of events infused with reciting Hebrew blessings and prayers.  Small acts became sacred and meaningful:  an appreciation and connection with something bigger than myself.  I became more aware of the significance of the small moment, the small thing.  It changed me.

Those lessons of gratitude inform my experience even today.  With my camera, I try to capture moments that show the beauty and bounty of life; I want to offer appreciation for my experiences.  I offer the images in this show as a few, small examples of inspirations in my life, along with some traditional Jewish blessings of gratitude that I learned from my grandparents.   I wonder . . . are your traditions or practices similar in any way?             

A member of “ORA,” a Northwest Jewish Artists collective, Barbara has exhibited the last four years in its annual autumn juried show, “Celebration of Life,” in Portland.  Her photography has also appeared in local juried shows of the Geezer Gallery, Art on Broadway, and in ArtSpark.  Other venues include local fairs and exhibits held by the Portland Rose Society, Toastmasters, Neveh Shalom Congregation, Mittleman’s Jewish Community Center, Hadassah, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, Mensa, and the Oregon Writers Colony.  She is delighted now to show at Rose Springs.

http://rosespringscenter.com/articles/a130430.php

http://rosespringscenter.com/artgallery.php

 

RoseSprings Healing Center

5215 NE Elam Young Pkwy, Ste A
Hillsboro OR 97124

503-693-9101

9 AM-7PM Mon-Fri, 9AM-2PM Sat. 

Show is through June 29, 2013

CALLING ALL LOCAL JEWISH ARTISTS!!!

Painting by Jonathon Lietz, ORA member

CALL TO ARTISTS- JUNE 1 Deadline

May 2013

ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists is a collective of local Jewish artists.  We are pleased to announce that we will jury new guest artists for our annual autumn fine art & fine craft show, A Celebration of Art 2013.  In addition to our regular members, we are pleased to include the work of a limited number of guest artists each year.

This year’s Celebration of Art will take place on Sunday, November 3^rd in the beautiful Ballroom of Mittleman Jewish Community Center in Southwest Portland.  We hope you will submit samples of your artwork to be juried for inclusion in this year’s art & fine craft show.  Our anonymous jury panel is comprised of professional artists, instructors, and occasionally gallery owners.

Only ORA members and their juried guests will have the opportunity to show and sell their work. This will be an arts show, not a holiday bazaar or craft fair.  We wish to feature the best artwork local Jewish artists are producing.  Although we will feature Jewish artists, the artwork need not reflect a Jewish theme.

There is a $25 jury fee for guest artists. Payment of the jury fee should be a check made payable to ORA, and should accompany your application, which must be received by 

June 1, 2013.   The jurying of guest art will take place on Sunday, June 9, 2013 at Congregation Neveh Shalom in Portland.  Art samples are to be delivered and retrieved in person on that day; only out-of-town artists may submit photos instead.  Please see the Jury Application online for detailed information and instructions:

http://www.northwestjewishartists.org/juryinfo2013.doc

Print out the application to fill it in.  Complete the application and mail it with your Jury Fee payment, payable to “ORA,” to the address below. 

ORA: Northwest Jewish Artists 

c/o Diane Fredgant

6008 SW 47th Ave

Portland OR 97221

QUESTIONS?  Please e-mail us:  oraartists@gmail.com

JAM '13- WEEK 1

SUNSHINE AND BLUE SKIES welcomed our first 4 artists the MJCC this morning.

Here are some sample of the work you can expect to see this week. All work is available for sale when an artist is on duty!

If you see something you'd like but no one is on duty, simply grab the artist's card and call her! It's that easy!  Cash, checks, and credit cards are welcome.

Sabina Wohfeiler, Paintings

Ellen Shefi, Photography

Laurie Fendel, Fabric Sculptures

FEATURING:
Brauna Ritchie
Ellen Shefi
Laurie Fendel
Sabina Wohfeiler



















Week #1 opens Sunday May 5th.
Beautiful art...and it's all available
for purchase!

Cash, checks, and credit cards will
be accepted whenever an artist is on
duty.

Want to buy some art but can't find
someone to help you? Take the artist's
card and call them!

Week #1 ends on Friday May 10th @
2pm. Week #2 begins Sunday May 12th!

Meet Ahuva!

Ahuva Shmueli will be a featured artist at the JAM Lobby Show May 12-17

ORA is pleased to welcome Ahuva to the Jewish Arts Month Lobby Show at the MJCC!
(6651 SW Capitol Hwy. Portland, Oregon) 
Here's a personal note from the artist! 
Shalom!

 Since I moved to Portland three years ago, I have been focusing on learning, exploring and making art. 

 I use three main medias: drawing with ink and markers, encaustic paintings and printmaking. 

 My inspiration is mostly urban scape. I leave down town and admire the view that I see every day, and that is so deferent from the place I came from. 

 I also love houses - the inside and outside of them. They represent a lot for me - personally and culturally. 
You can meet Ahuva on Monday May 13th or Tuesday the 14th between 11:45-2:30 or Wednesday between 1-3:30 in the lobby of the MJCC!

Her work is available for purchase, even when she's not there! Just pick up her card and let her know which of her beautiful pieces you'd like to purchase!

Meet Michelle Katz!

     Jewish Arts Month is coming and this year it is in MAY! 

 ORA is most pleased to present Michele Katz who will participate in the "Under 40" show that will begin on May 12th and run through Friday afternoon the 17th at the MJCC (6651 SW Capitol Hwy!)

                                Admission is free!!!!!!

Michelle Katz, an artist and art educator has had formal training in a variety of art media. She has a B.A. in Art History and M.A. in Art Education. She worked for several years in glass and tile mosaics having her artwork in galleries and shows, but Michelle always returns to painting. She has continued to paint off and on since her college years, settling on acrylic as her preferred paint.

Michelle is inspired by artists such as Gustav Klimt, Henri Matisse, and Chuck Close whose influence can be seen in her recent works. But she does not paint recognizable objects because she wants to be free from depicting the world’s realism. She believes that if she is surprised by where the next brush stroke takes her, then the audience will be equally surprised and
delighted. Her bold, free-form shapes and the energy in her paintings represent her inner free-spirit that she does not often show.

My goal is for the audience to discover something new with each view. I encourage you to choose a section, take in the complexity of layers, and feel the kinetic energy.”

We'll post a schedule of when Michelle will be at the J right before the show opens. Check back with this blog regularly to find out when you can come out to meet her and perhaps buy a piece of her art for your home or as a gift!

Collaboration Heightens Spirituality!

A single panel : Kavanah 

Fabric Artist, Laura Fendel and Painter Sharon Segal are friends. They are good friends and talented artists. Once a month they spend Shabbat morning together at a very special service know as Keva led by Rabbi Brad Greenstein and Sarah Greenstein at Neveh Shalom (Portland, Oregon)

Keva literally means routine and is balanced by kavanah (intention). Keva participants gather in a large empty room with a beautiful artist-designed wooden ark.  The congregants fill the space with their beautiful souls but the walls are bare.

Sharon and Laura looked at this space and wondered if they could bring more kavanah into the physical space that would perhaps inspire greater kavanah in those who come monthly to pray. They sought a design that would accompany the soaring melodies and inspire deeper meditations.

Their work now frames the windows looking out into the forest. The panels of pale green fabric, stitching, and paint seem to emerge from  the ark in an organic and moving way. The tree of life emerges in all its natural forms and colors

From concept to finished product this work took a year and half.

The stitching and painting took 8 months.

The Hebrew letters yud, hey, vav, hey are found in each blessing... indicating that 

G-d is embedded in everything.  

The artists searched nature for the visual mysteries, observing the changes throughout the seasons.  Paint and stitchery enhance each other in an intricate dance. There is energy and flow, a sense of integration and balance.  Surely, Hashem resides in this place (HaMakom) !

Hiddur Mitzvah is the mitzvah of enhancing any ritual or ritual object. These artists have blessed this space with keva and kavanah. May they also be blessed!

(more pictures and info about the dedication will follow soon)

Our own charter member Leslie Elder has four paintings in this wonderful exhibit! Come and see it!

For more information, call Linda Church, Director, at 503.493.6370 or see
http://www.cu-portland.edu/library/events/

Ellen Shefi is currently exhibiting her photography in Welches, Oregon at the Hoodland Library in Clackamas County.  

Address is:

68256 E. Hwy 26

Welches, OR 

Library Hours:

Mon - Wed 12 noon - 8 pm

Thur - Sat 10 am - 5 pm 

Sunday CLOSED

Exhibit will run through April 10th.  Please stop by on your way up or down from Mt. Hood.

Ellen Shefi

ELF Studios
Oregon City, OR
503.975.5167

elfstudios@gmail.com

ArtWorks at the MJCC

uhhh, what are you going to do with that?

The Mittleman Jewish Community Center has begun a new program called ArtWorks.

Each month, a working artist will offer a demonstration of their work process.

Eddy Shuldman, a glass artist and one of the founders of ORA will be the first featured artist.
She'll demonstrate some of the more complex cutting techniques she employs in her work and will also offer the spectators an opportunity to try their hand at simple glass cutting.

In addition to the demonstration, Eddy will also have several of her finished pieces for sale. A portion of each sale will be donated to the MJCC. Mention that you saw this blog and you will receive an immediate discount on her glass....OR....place an order for a commissioned piece and also receive a discount!

Find out the difference between stained glass and fused glass....or even HOT glass. Learn to distinguish between irids and dichroic. Learn why slumping is not a symptom of depression although it can make a depression!

FOCUS!

ANOTHER ORA ARTIST SHARES A NEW YEAR'S VISION

LINDA BOURNE: Ceramics

I have to keep telling myself to stay focused.  The demands and joys of daily life are many and everyone needs balance in their lives.  Then when I'm in my studio, I have to remind myself to work on the ideas I want to develop the most and not  get distracted. 

RESOLUTE!

EDDY SHULDMAN: Glass artist

I'm not too fond of the word "resolution" but I will claim intention.

I have a few of those!

• My studio...filled with paper, glass, tools....and more glass, and more tools...will become more functional and possibly organized!

• I will become more playful with my work...and if possible, enjoy what I'm doing even more

• TIME MANAGEMENT: I need to find out what that means!

• Get more photos of my work

• Is this the year I stretch beyond my blog?

• I will step outside my comfort zone to learn new techniques and work with new materials!

Resolution Means Risk Taking

JUDITH HANKIN: Paper Cuts, Etched Glass and More

To create new inspiring work ...new materials? 

a new take on an old design? a stretch in a new direction...

Also to figure out a way to successfully market and/or mass produce a line of my art.... Web page/ Etsy/ Facebook  

(and to ask for help!)

Another Artist With Vision!

Here's another resolution shared by BRAUNA RITCHIE: glass and mixed media

...I want to always try to “change up” my art. If I do this,

     then my goal of challenging my creativity is met.

...I want to always try to do the unexpected. 

...I’d like to find a way to give my art more exposure.

BEAD ON!

Our members are sharing their new year's art resolutions.....what are yours?

ESTHER LIBERMAN: Bead Artist

Beading an hour a day.  As my old friend says, "amazing things can happen when you give it an hour a day."

RESOLUTION #4

HANK KEETON: photography

 To update my website more regularly!

Have over 200+ images waiting…waiting…patiently…

New Year's Art Resolutions #3 !

SHARON SEGAL: painter

My resolution is to bone up on my drawing skills. There is a site that I go to for quick 30 second sketches, plus I'm taking a class in drawing.  Also, I'd like to make a plan of creating my art on certain days at certain  times to be more productive.

Another Resolution

JONATHON LIETZ: painter
 Spend more time and love perfecting my ideas

Resolutions in Art

We'll be posting some of our member's art resolutions.....WHAT'S YOURS?

SABINA WOHFEILER: painter

I don't make resolutions.  They seem to set me up for failure.  Instead, I sit down at year's beginning and craft "intentions"…. directions in which I wish to move.  Art is a core essential in my life, yet I often find it being pushed into a corner, waiting for me to bring to it the right time, the right head space, energy and direction.   Needless to say, that special alignment eludes me often!  So….This year I intend to develop an art PRACTICE.  Kind of like I imagine musicians develop naturally, out of necessity.  Whether I'm in the mood or not, I'm going to sit down and create something, anything, using any medium, just so I'm immersed in the DOING of art, rather than just the "thinking about doing" art.  I'm going to aim for three times a week, for several hours at a time.  Hopefully, the fun will fuel me into perhaps devoting more time and energy in that direction.  But I'm going to accept what comes, rather than overhaul my sweet life to exclude other joyful pursuits.  It's all about balance. Wish me luck!

Gallery owner and ORA member Roberta Cohen will host our November professional development meeting.

Not only will Roberta open up her beautiful space for this meeting, but she will also be a panel member along with artists David Slader, Anna Kodesch and retired gallery owner Julie Gottlieb.

Our topic? How to Market Yourself to Galleries!

ORA members and COA guest artists are invited to join us in this great piece of programming organized by our education chairperson, Laurie Fendel.

If you want to join us and are not an ORA member or guest artist...drop us a note and tell us you are interested....We'll tell you the date and time. We'd like to include you, provided we have the space!

oraartists@gmail.com!

More scenes from our fall art Sale!

      New Member- Bob Sorkin, photographer

Our Membership Chairperson- Roberta Cohen, jewelry

New member- Jonathon Lietz, painter

Harriet Levi at the COA

Guest artist Harriet Levi had a beautiful display of paintings at ORA's Celebration of Art 2012~!

Harriet is active in the Portland arts community, participating in numerous group and solo shows. Her booth was filled with colorful paintings and an electric personality! 

Her website is filled with her beautiful artwork as well as contact information.  Check her out!!!!         
            http://www.artistliszt.com/galleries/levi-h.html

Celebration of Art 2012

I was too busy having great conversations with my customers to get to my camera to capture great crowd shots. This will have to do! 

We had a wonderfully supportive audience for the show/sale and we are most grateful to the community for joining us!

George Fendel set the mood with his fabulous jazz piano stylings and jazz guitarist, Tim Roth closed out the afternoon with his beautiful  music. 

Thank you to our fabulous member and guest artists, all the friends and family who helped us set up and take down....to the MJCC for their support, and of course...much gratitude to the community that came out to view our work and purchase art!    There will be additional member shows in the next several months.  

If you want information or would like to be on a mailing list, drop us a note: oraartists@gmail.com

Ellen Shefi: Seeing the Natural World

When a photograph makes you feel like you are there- in that place, in that moment....you know you got to have it! 

Ellen Shefi takes photographs that transport the viewer into her space the moment she snaps the shutter button. The colors are bold, brilliant , alive!

Come see Ellen's newest work. Nourish your soul and bring a new photograph home.

CELEBRATION OF ART 2012

 MJCC  6651 SW Capitol Hwy

Portland, Or  503.244.0794

Admission is free!   10:30-4:30....one day only!

Jonathon Lietz: A Painter With New Angles !

We are most pleased to welcome Jonathon Lietz to our artists' collective. Jonathon brings his skills as a painter to capture styles of painting not reperesented in our group. Not only that, but he's a warm and friendly guy! Come meet him at our annual 

Celebration of Art 2012!

It's this Sunday, October 21st

10:30am-4:30 pm

Mittleman Jewish Community Center

6651 SW Capitol Hwy

Portland Oregon  

503.244.0794

Admission is free, the art is fabulous and we'll have live music for much of the day!

Meet Brauna Ritchie!

Glass and Metal are two of artist Brauna Ritchie's materials employed in her art. Sometimes they appear together in her mixed media works.  The results are exciting!  

Check out the variety of work that has just emerged from her studio. You will Brauna and her art at the Celebration of Art Sale at the MJCC 6651 SW Capitol Hwy- Portland Oregon

on Sunday, October 21st 10:30 am- 4:30 pm

ORA is pleased to welcome this exciting new guest artist!

There's no place like home! : Sharon Stern

Sharon has a knack for recognizing what translates a house into a home. 
Often working from photographs, Sharon transforms the craft of quilting into an art form. 

Her quilts will be available for purchase on October 21st at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center between 10:30am-4:30 pm.
6651 SW Capitol Hwy- Portland Oregon   503.244.0794

It's the annual ORA Northwest Jewish Arts Celebration of Art!
Admission is free!

You'll also find ceramics, paintings, jewelry, glass, photography, fiber art and silk paintings...and more!

Linda Bourne:Exciting new ORA Artist!

Stop by Linda's booth next Sunday and you will discover what distinguishes her work from most other ceramicists. You'll discover that her techniques for styling and coloring clay are really quite remarkable. You'll delight in schmoozing with her and you will be thrilled when you make your decision to bring home at least one of her beautiful works. Stop by early for your best selection. This work isn't going to stick around for long!

              SUNDAY OCTOBER 21  10:30am- 4:30 pm

  MJCC 6651 SW Capitol HWY - Portland     503.244.0111

                   

Come see us on October 21st!

KBOO Yiddish Hour Info

We love KBOO and we especially adore the Yiddish Hour on Sunday mornings.
They have been a strong supporter of the Jewish arts here in Portland while promoting yiddish and Jewish music on the air!

Some of can't tune in on Sunday mornings because of other commitments....so here's some really great news I just received from them:


PLEASE TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW THAT THE SHOW IS PODCAST NOW FOR TWO WEEKS AFTER AIR DATE.  WE'D LIKE TO REACH THOSE WHO CAN'T LISTEN SUNDAY MORNINGS!

This is the best way to submit calendar items for broadcast on the Yiddish Hour.  In general, we announce events that are open to the entire community and appear to have general interest.  Due to time limitations, we are not always able to announce all items, and some items may be edited for content and length.  All items must be compatible with KBOO's policies about what can be broadcast

Thanks again, 
The Portland Yiddish Hour Hosts

SAVE THE DATE: Oct 21, 2012

CELEBRATION OF ART returns to Portland on October 21st at Mittleman Jewish Community Center.

Last year more than 600 customers came through our show! New artists, returning artists, fabulous art... it will all be there!

Free admission....10:30am-4:30pm

More information about our artists coming. STAY TUNED!

Leslie's Watercolor Honored

 

.

Leslie Elder's beautiful watercolor painting, "Smoothing Out

The Wrinkles", has been selected to appear in the upcoming Watercolor Society of Oregon Fall Show at Resort at the Mountain  

in Welches, Oregon, taking place October 6-26.  We're so proud of Leslie's continuing accomplishments in the world of watercolor!

Commenting on the symbolism of this painting, Leslie cites a quote from Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller:

"The Eyshet Chayil poem, which extols the virtue of the ideal Jewish woman, contains the phrase 'Her husband is known at the gates.'  The fact that her husband is known at the gates is viewed as HER praise because the likelihood is that she is the cause and the inspiration."

Willa Schneberg at the Oregon Jewish Museum!

Here's the link to some fabulous events at the Oregon Jewish Museum!

They involve presentations and workshops!!!! A Must SEE...Must DO!!!!!!

http://www.ojm.org/upcoming_exhibits.html