Sara Novenson is well know for her Jewish folk art and Women of the Bible series of limited edition prints. Since 1992 she has lectured and taught in synagogues, churches, museums and organizations (including Hadassah) throughout the US and Europe. This blog will address Sara’s personal journey as a Jewish woman and artist, and how and why she began the body of Jewish work, how her spirituality has affected her art, and how it has all amazingly come full circle, and more!

May 4, 2010

My Father’s Tallit and the Great Women of the Bible

Now I had an even greater way to honor my father. I would have my milestone project photographed on his tallit. DESPITE the fact that my father was a man, he carried the traits of the Great Women of the Bible more so than many women I know. He had the power of prayer and faith of Hannah, the fullness of the love that Rachael carried, the closeness to G-d that Sarah embodied and the great generosity of spirit that emanated from Rebecca . My father sent me to craft classes from the age of four, the Art Students League in the summers of high school (we lived nearby, I took the subway), and the School of Visual Arts in NYC for my BFA. He was an artist in his own right. He stretched my canvases for me, framed my art, and together we went shopping for my first easel. My fondest memory of the synagogue as a child (truthfully there are few) is sitting beside my father as he sang the psalms with joy in his voice, an aura of love and faith surrounding him (like Sarah) draped in his tallis. When the children’s services were over, I was proudly welcomed in the seat he always saved for me beside him.

I have been blessed with a life full of mystical synchronicities, precognitive dreams and full circles. When I finally saw the finished photo of my Great Women of the Bible Book sitting on my fathers tallis, I was moved to tears. It is an offering to his beautiful and gentle spirit. An offering of love and gratitude that I was fortunate enough to have had a father who himself embodied the spirit of the Women of the Bible. If it were not for him the project would never have actualized. It was perfect.

Men who embody the traits of the Great Women of the Bible still do exist. I found one. We have been together for many years. He creates my gold leaf frames with the very same tools my beloved father used to frame my art.

One of my favorite motifs is the Sandia Mountains during autumn at sunset. Sometimes, there is a moment when the mountains turn into a rainbow and the Chamisa flowers glow as if they carry the light of the sun within themselves.

I find both of these Psalms so appropriate for the  image.

“Blessing of the Sun,Violet”
“With you is the source of life, by your light may we see light.”  Psalms

“Blessing of the Sun, Orange”

“How can I sing of Heaven and Earth when it is G-d who decreed them?”  Psalms

Each of these hand painted limited editions are available in 3 different sizes and price points starting at $105.00, $320. and %560.00 unframed.  Click on images for more info and to order. The size of the pieces on my site are the paper sizes, the images are smaller.

Our week together exploring the Women of the Bible was wonderful.  Rabbi Paula Winning of NYC was our surprise co teacher, as Rabbi Mindy Portnoy who was scheduled to co teach could not attend. Several of the children and grandchildren joined us, making this a truly inter-generational event. The workshop was interfaith as well.

One of our participants Linda Anderson Little, of St Louis, is a Lutheran Pastor and as I stood next to her during our little Shabbat lighting service with Rabbi Winning, I felt a beautiful Shekina like presence emanating from her. Spirit surely is one! Everyone loved the hands on monoprinting technique we used to create out art and the teachings were great!  Of course Ghost Ranch is one of the most beautiful and mysterious places to spend time.  I am up there for at least 3 weeks a year alone painting as it is one of my greatest spots for inspiration and regeneration. For me, sharing this place with the women in our workshop was so poignant and touching and amplified the special feeling and spirituality of the land and sky at Ghost Ranch.

I will be co- teaching a workshop at Ghost Ranch with an amazing woman Rabbi, Mindy Portnoy of Temple Sinai in Washington DC. Mindy is  a well-known author of 5 Children’s books
The workshop is entitled: Pages in Our Book of Life, From our Biblical Ancestors to Our Descendants. June 21-27, 2010. Ghost Ranch is in Abiquiu, New Mexico, 1 hour from Santa Fe. Georgia OKeeffe the famous painter lived on the ranch at one time. It is a gorgeous, mystical setting for such a workshop. Through art and writing we will delve into the archetypes of the Women of the Bible and discover the similarities from our foremothers, and among ourselves. We will create family heirlooms that can be handing down to daughters and grandchildren. Go to ghostranch.org to sign up for our workshop!

JUDITH from my Women of the Bible Series