Welcome to my world of art calligraphy and to-- all those who enjoy these as I do -- the beauty of the brush..
 
While in Jerusalem some 25 years ago, my fiancé and I purchased a beautiful hand-painted ketubah from a tiny, corner shop in the heart of the city. This marriage contract, which hangs to this day in my husband’s and my dining room, is the inspiration for my present work in creating ketubot. My own Ketubah is not only a traditional marriage commitment and a legal contract, but also a symbol of love and a keepsake of the togetherness we experienced in Israel as a young couple.  It is my hope that I can help recreate this experience for other couples so that they in turn will feel the joy from uniting tradition, religion, aesthetics and spirituality into an enchanting visual memory, which will enlighten their homes.
 
The Jewish view of marriage can be summed up by a line from the Talmud: "One who does not have a wife lives without joy, without bliss, without happiness." (Yevamot 62b). The signing of the ketubah is the most vivid example of this idea and one of the emotional highlights of a wedding.
 
The oldest Ketubah known is from the 5th century B.C.E. Later, during the Middle Ages, Jewish manuscripts like the ketubah were highly adorned. Today, following that tradition, the ketubah should be designed to express the couple’s unique personality.

A ketubah is a work of art; it is as individual as the wedding itself, communicating the bride and groom's personalities, relationship and vision for their wedding day and lives. Even historically, during the 17th and 18th century, Ketubot were always a unique communication. To ensure this, they were highly ornamental and written on hand-made paper or parchment.  Many of these artistic techniques have been passed on through the ages and remain today. One of these is the art of illumination, the embellishment of a text with color or gold. In the past, the gold was applied via 22c gold leaf, which gives a majestic quality to the text. Paints were made from organic materials such as plants, flowers and earth which represent the bond between our lives and nature. Even the application, which entailed the artist's very breath, was thought to be highly spiritual and distinct in each endeavor.
 
This in fact is how I see my art. If a text and its decoration is to be communicative, it must not only look like something, but also feel like something; the viewer must experience that which he sees and the artist must ensure that this occurs.
 
Calligraphy, too, has its own language and is the voice of the written word. Just as scribes with primitive tools prepared ancient texts and religious manuscripts, transforming biblical texts into beautifully written pages, I honor this tradition and strive to create my own artistic expressions. In working with each couple and getting to know your specific story, we create a work of art together. Two people under the chupah become a family; the artist/calligrapher and the couple also form a special bond, become partners in the expression of the couple's love. Illuminated blessings, too, contribute to the spirit within a couple’s home and are appreciated each day they are looked upon. 

I create all of my art work with metal-nibbed dip pens, lush sable brushes, rich eternal permanent black ink and artist-class watercolor and gouache. You may choose to have your work commissioned on acid-free Bristol vellum or parchment.  You may also have your art adorned with 22c gold leaf, applied with medieval technique. Each piece is customized and hand painted to the specifications of the buyer. Whether contemporary, traditional, flowers, leaves, ribbons, borders, scrolls, animals, Jerusalem cityscape or a vision of your own, each design takes on a life of its own.
 
All giclee prints are professional reproductions on Arches Infinity acid–free watercolor paper. Prints are framed with archival materials, and are available in every text. 
 

While many hand painted ketubot and other Judaic art today use computer-generated fonts or texts, none can truly match the beauty and authenticity of a ketubah that is hand calligraphied. Ancient scribes used a reed or quill dipped in ink; modern writers use either fountain pens, cartridge ink pens or, the more difficult, metal nib dip pens. I always use the latter for authenticity and quality. You can recognize quality calligraphy by a text's evenly spaced letters and lines. This evenness is not only pleasing to look at, but also continues a tradition of discipline and precision of the past. I aim to capture a sense of authenticity that links a couple's marriage to the rich cultural history of the ketubah and Judaism as a whole.

I have studied art as well as the history of art at both the NYU Graduate Center and the Silvermine Guild of Arts. In addition to my art education, I also hold an advanced degree in psychology. This enhances my work as an artist, allowing me to evaluate and understand each couple's individual needs. My Jewish education includes Yeshiva University's Stern College. My studies there give me a deep appreciation for the value that Jewish art brings to our lives.
 
As an artist, I have worked in many areas and have been commissioned to create art that ranges from five foot stained glass windows to hand-painted fashion designs for private boutiques in New York. Combining all of the areas of my education, however, my deepest passion in the arts is creating ketubot and other Jewish art. My work in this area has been displayed in many venues, most recently in the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York. My goal is always to satisfy my artistic endeavors while putting a smile on people's faces - to indulge both the artist and the recipient in the aesthetics of life.

This gallery is for exhibiting some of the many designs and illuminations in my portfolio. You may select specific designs and texts as they are; alternatively, you can modify any of them or combine several to create your own.
 
We will work together to create your fantasy piece. Each work of art is custom ordered and individually painted upon request.
                                                                             
Just as the artwork in my original handmade ketubot and blessings are customized to meet your artistic choices, so too is the text exclusively picked for each couple. We will work together in selecting the art, text and calligraphy that best suites you. 

All giclee prints are professional reproductions on Arches Infinity acid–free watercolor paper. Prints are framed with archival materials, and are available in all texts. Your may pick a text from one of the samples and a design from another.  Please call for more information and to view a catalogue.

Each custom designed monogram is original and hand made. I work with every couple to discuss the lettering, style, design intentions for each project. For more information on my monograms for invitations, special events or other occasions, call the number below. 

Friends and relatives may call and enter their name and address to participate in the creation of your wedding ketubah. A card will be sent to you acknowledging this gift and the beautiful sentiment of sharing in your joyous occasion. 
  

Phone:  914-632-1059

Fax:    914-632-1593

E-mail:  Yourketubah@aol.com