Jerusalem Hunt (150 cm x 200 cm)

full piece

detail: top 3 panels

detail: middle and end panel

sketch of Jerusalem hunt sequence (unfinished)

This is what I've been working on these past few weeks. I think I've finished the full sketch and now need to purchase some paper to finish it off. It will be 150 cm x 180 cm (~ 5'x6'). We're returning to California within a week and I am frantic to get started on the final composition. Unfortunately, the art shops are closed on Saturday in Tel Aviv. sigh.

full pencil sketch (150 x 180cm)

approaching summer

chilled tomato consommé

The burgundy ball on the lower left corner is the byproduct of two kilos of tomatoes (as well as basil, horseradish, vodka, etc) blended, poured into muslin and left to drip overnight in the refrigerator. It looks a bit like felt to me.

In the holiday spirit N decided to test out the "Jamie at Home" tomato consommé (a take on the Bloody Mary). I thought it might interest Julie as the recipe includes beetroot.

2 kilos Tomatoes
Vodka
fresh horseradish (pinkie-sized chunk, peeled)
basil (handful)
2 cloves garlic
salt, pepper, dash of vinegar
Blend it all together. Place sheet of muslin in a bowl. Pour pulp into muslin and knot ends together. Hook and hang in refrigerator with bowl underneath to catch the clear liquid. The consommé will filter through the muslin into bowl. Slice a bit of peeled beetroot into the bowl. This will give a lovely color to the otherwise clear liquid.

a flat near the sea

I'm posting a few photographs of our flat. We intend to start the second wave of renovations after the holiday, mainly lifting the hallway's low ceiling. Perhaps we'll find hidden treasure!

the kitchen with the lovely table-mat from Suz

living-room

one of my "corners" (draft table)

The western side of the living-room balcony...
with a modest garden and where Alma sometimes naps.

N&N's office
(I also have a small desk in this room)

bedroom
(the entrance to the second balcony is to the right)

Series #1 (buck and bear) - 110 x 140 cm

110cm x 140 (roughly 3.6 ft x 4.6ft)

detail - buck and fire

detail of bear

The first in a series that includes both oil paintings and large ink drawings.

Martini Vineyard labels: champagne & merlot

Label design suggestions for Martini Vineyard, a Cummings Valley winery & brewery. Southern California

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Skulls and Socks

While in Sacramento I did a series of pastel sketches. This is one of them.

My family purchased 157 acres of fertile land in Cummings Valley and are planning on planting a vineyard to produce their own wines and champagne. On a section of the property my cousin and I found the remains of sheep who once grazed the land - complete skeletal structures, some with strips of flesh and tuffs of wool still attached. So I collected an adult sheep skull, a lamb, a full spine and a lower jaw, wrapped them in a box and tucked them into the trunk of my mustang for the drive north.

The remains are currently bleaching out in my mother's suburban backyard. When I had first set out to clean them, I soaked them in a clorax / water solution for three days. On the second day, I removed the adult skull and from a hollow nostril an earthworm dripped. It was classic horror.