Lion at Ein Hod

This is an acrylic painting on canvas (11" X 14") from a photo I took in Israel several years ago. The statue is by Ursula Malbin, who is now 91 (and has many beautiful statues throughout Israel and other places). I thought this would be a challenging painting to do and it was. I had a very hard time with the face. The statue does not have irises or pupils, but I felt the painting needed them. I used light modeling paste to give the lion's mane and some other places texture. When it dries, I will varnish it.

This statue is at Ein Hod in Israel, an artists colony. I hope to go back there again in 2012. There was a big fire last year, so I hope that the artists have had a chance to rebuild and create new art.

Mount Superior (Utah)

Small (6x6) acrylic painting on canvas (wrap) done from a photo I took while hiking a few years ago with my daughter and her boyfriend in Alta, Utah. It was June, but there was still some snow in spots on the mountains. This is a popular ski area.

Downtown art project (Manchester NH)

I had seen my photo on this building last week, but didn't get downtown in time to actually take a picture before it was taken down. I am in the middle of the group (older woman with white hair and glasses).  Luckily for me, the local newspaper (Union Leader) photographer had taken a picture and it was in the paper October 12th. I went to the library and took a picture of his picture. (Silly, isn't it? But I wanted to post it and send it to family.) This art project was a local part of the Insideout Art Project (that seems to be global one). I don't know much about it, but you can check the link and see if your city is involved.

More information about the city project at this link: http://www.manchesternh.gov/website/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=3OYuv5EDeqM%3d&tabid=3075
Anyway, this was an interesting project. A photographer (Ann Kelly, I believe) took lots of photos of people at the Peoplefest festival in the fall. Various artists and others helped her put up the photos all over the downtown area.

Last night Joe & I met with another group of artists and we are hoping to organize more fun downtown projects. Funding is always an issue, but we have a core group and lots of great ideas.

Edna Creek (in color)

Edna Creek (Idaho) again, this time in color. This is a different view from the last one, but it is the same creek. The painting is acrylic paint on a 12" X 16" canvas panel. I just have to varnish and frame it. It will be a holiday gift for my family in Idaho. I enjoyed working on this one. I used glazing medium on the water to make it shinier. Lots of good suggestions from my teacher too. I finished my 4 week composition class, but there is still more to learn.

Edna Creek, Idaho

This is a monochrome study done in acrylics using only Payne's Grey and white paint on a canvas panel. It is 11 X 14. I am also working on a color painting of a different view of this creek. The idea behind a monochrome (one color) study is to learn how the values (light/dark/medium) help you show 3 dimensions on a 2 dimensional surface.  The rain has finally stopped today and I'm going to varnish this one and frame it.

I won an "Artist of the Month" certificate on Monday for my small painting Red Rock Canyon panorama. That will get to hang in a public place this month (Bentley Commons). I'll be bringing it there later today.

in the tent on Rosh Hashanah

even the raindrops are holy

dripping down from the tent

plastic covering the ark

with the sacred torahs

the prayers are the same

from one year to the next

only my intention changes

next year the rabbi says
we will pray in a building
but I like to pray outdoors
the leaves are changing color
the grass is still green
the perennials are slowly withering
the cycle of the seasons
is comfortable for me

mothers with young children
come later to make sure
they hear the shofar blown
the whole service is too long
for the babies and little ones

finally the time comes
the rabbi tells us all
to come forward to see the shofar
the women on one side
men on the other
we all hear the sound
no matter where we stand
and we celebrate again
the birthday of the world

©Linda H. Feinberg
2011 (5772)

“Happy are the people that know the sound of the shofar.
O God, they walk in the light of Your spirit.”