ZENTANGLE DRAWINGS
This is a series of drawings focusing on Judaic subjects: holidays, Hebrew, Torah and Israel. Each piece was researched to include important symbols and references. They were created by drawing in patterns using a wide range of markers in the style popularly known as Zentangle.
Four of the images are for sale: https://www.imagekind.com/art/index.php?q=ellen+alt&manual=1
This is a series of drawings focusing on Judaic subjects: holidays, Hebrew, Torah and Israel. Each piece was researched to include important symbols and references. They were created by drawing in patterns using a wide range of markers in the style popularly known as Zentangle.
Four of the images are for sale: https://www.imagekind.com/art/index.php?q=ellen+alt&manual=1
Shabbat Seven Species
This piece is about how Shabbat, the day of rest, is ushered in and celebrated. The seven species are the seven indigenous fruits and grains found in Israel. There is the two candles, the grapes flowing into the Kiddush cup They are dates, figs, grapes, olives, pomegranates, wheat and barley (going and the two challot. In the background are two patterned fabrics representing clockwise from top left). Each specie is depicted with fruit, branch and leaf.
tablecloths or fancy robes to add to the finery of the day.
This piece is about how Shabbat, the day of rest, is ushered in and celebrated. The seven species are the seven indigenous fruits and grains found in Israel. There is the two candles, the grapes flowing into the Kiddush cup They are dates, figs, grapes, olives, pomegranates, wheat and barley (going and the two challot. In the background are two patterned fabrics representing clockwise from top left). Each specie is depicted with fruit, branch and leaf.
tablecloths or fancy robes to add to the finery of the day.
Noah’s ark Rosh Hashonah
This version of the famous story is post flood. The sky is clear with only a hint The drawing includes 4 shofars, 2 pomegranates and one apple tied together with
the rain. The rainbow – the sign that the destructive storm will not reappear. honeycomb hexagons. Each of the three sounds of the shofar is represented. The
The animal pairs are interacting in positive ways to build the new community: top shofar is “Tekiyah” the long blast sound. Inside this shofar is the usual Tekiyah
the pandas put their heads together to think in cooperation, the giraffes collect and the outside is the final longer blast – the Tekiyah Gedolah, sounded at the end of
different points of view, the monkeys observe and converse in enjoyment and the series and the end of Yom Kippur. “Shevarim”, the 3 blast sound, is the middle
the elephants symbolize love and long term commitment. shofar and “Teruah”, the nine blast sound is at the bottom. The top pomegranate
The land is rich and fertile, full of a wide variety of vegetation. looks like an open book representing both the Book of Life and the High Holiday prayer book, the Mahzor. The bottom pomegranate has an embedded apple, both representing the fruits of the New Year. The honeycomb is drawn with honey colors which brings sweetness to the year.
This version of the famous story is post flood. The sky is clear with only a hint The drawing includes 4 shofars, 2 pomegranates and one apple tied together with
the rain. The rainbow – the sign that the destructive storm will not reappear. honeycomb hexagons. Each of the three sounds of the shofar is represented. The
The animal pairs are interacting in positive ways to build the new community: top shofar is “Tekiyah” the long blast sound. Inside this shofar is the usual Tekiyah
the pandas put their heads together to think in cooperation, the giraffes collect and the outside is the final longer blast – the Tekiyah Gedolah, sounded at the end of
different points of view, the monkeys observe and converse in enjoyment and the series and the end of Yom Kippur. “Shevarim”, the 3 blast sound, is the middle
the elephants symbolize love and long term commitment. shofar and “Teruah”, the nine blast sound is at the bottom. The top pomegranate
The land is rich and fertile, full of a wide variety of vegetation. looks like an open book representing both the Book of Life and the High Holiday prayer book, the Mahzor. The bottom pomegranate has an embedded apple, both representing the fruits of the New Year. The honeycomb is drawn with honey colors which brings sweetness to the year.
Sukkot Hanukah
There are three symbols in this work: the lulav, the Etrog and the Sukkah, This piece is drawn on a gray background signifying the darkness of the winter season. The lulav is put together from the 3 tree branches: the palm, willow There are 3 Hanukiot awaiting their candles. The oil jug and olives represent the
and myrtle, a festival of greens and yellows. The Etrog is a citrus larger olive oil used to light the menorah in the Beit Hamikdash, the Jerusalem Temple.
than a lemon but with all the bumps and textures of the peel. Over these There are 2 driedels with two Hebrew letters – nun for nothing and gimel for everything.
symbols is the roof of the Sukkah made from leaves and etrogim, The two latkes, potato pancakes that are fried in oil are in the upper right and between
representing the open sky, natural roof and hanging decorative fruit. the branches of the biggest Hanukiah are gold coins, gelt, a traditional Hanukah gift.
There are three symbols in this work: the lulav, the Etrog and the Sukkah, This piece is drawn on a gray background signifying the darkness of the winter season. The lulav is put together from the 3 tree branches: the palm, willow There are 3 Hanukiot awaiting their candles. The oil jug and olives represent the
and myrtle, a festival of greens and yellows. The Etrog is a citrus larger olive oil used to light the menorah in the Beit Hamikdash, the Jerusalem Temple.
than a lemon but with all the bumps and textures of the peel. Over these There are 2 driedels with two Hebrew letters – nun for nothing and gimel for everything.
symbols is the roof of the Sukkah made from leaves and etrogim, The two latkes, potato pancakes that are fried in oil are in the upper right and between
representing the open sky, natural roof and hanging decorative fruit. the branches of the biggest Hanukiah are gold coins, gelt, a traditional Hanukah gift.
Tu Bishvat Purim
This is the holiday of the trees. Trees are planted throughout Israel on this day The Megillah, the scroll that is read on Purim is open. You can see the writing, which is
and celebrated as an environmental awareness day throughout the Jewish world. based on the Hebrew script. The grogger shown on the upper right is a noise maker,
There are 6 trees represented in this work: pomegranate, cherry, birch, apple, made to drown out the name of Haman, as the story of Esther is read. The bowl is full
orange and willow. The four fruit trees surround the willow, of hamantaschen, traditional cookies based on the shape of Haman’s triangular hat.
while the eyes of the birch trees look on. Together with the bottle of wine, these items represent Mishloah Manot, gifts of food
and drink, traditionally given to neighbors and friends. The coins throughout are symbols of tzedakah, charity donated as an important part of the holiday.
This is the holiday of the trees. Trees are planted throughout Israel on this day The Megillah, the scroll that is read on Purim is open. You can see the writing, which is
and celebrated as an environmental awareness day throughout the Jewish world. based on the Hebrew script. The grogger shown on the upper right is a noise maker,
There are 6 trees represented in this work: pomegranate, cherry, birch, apple, made to drown out the name of Haman, as the story of Esther is read. The bowl is full
orange and willow. The four fruit trees surround the willow, of hamantaschen, traditional cookies based on the shape of Haman’s triangular hat.
while the eyes of the birch trees look on. Together with the bottle of wine, these items represent Mishloah Manot, gifts of food
and drink, traditionally given to neighbors and friends. The coins throughout are symbols of tzedakah, charity donated as an important part of the holiday.
Passover Shavout
The matzoh for this holiday is drawn in stripes of pastel colors representing the The receiving of the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. The two arcs of the mountain
beginning of spring. The arc of flowers adds to the festive celebration of both symbolize the two tablets. Inside the mountain is the Torah, showing all five books.
holiday and season. The two large cups are for Elijah with wine and Miriam with The Ten Commandments are represented by the 10 stars in the sky.
water. There are two types of grapes, red and green, for the 4 cups of wine The garden is both the full flowering of the spring season
consumed throughout the evening. Seder symbols include the two lambs and the 613 mitzvot that spring from the Torah.
representing the bone, parsley for carpas, horseradish root for maror and the
small pieces of apple and nuts in wine for the haroset. The hard-boiled egg
is for fertility and the parted waters on the bottom tell the story of crossing
the Red Sea while escaping from slavery to freedom.
The matzoh for this holiday is drawn in stripes of pastel colors representing the The receiving of the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. The two arcs of the mountain
beginning of spring. The arc of flowers adds to the festive celebration of both symbolize the two tablets. Inside the mountain is the Torah, showing all five books.
holiday and season. The two large cups are for Elijah with wine and Miriam with The Ten Commandments are represented by the 10 stars in the sky.
water. There are two types of grapes, red and green, for the 4 cups of wine The garden is both the full flowering of the spring season
consumed throughout the evening. Seder symbols include the two lambs and the 613 mitzvot that spring from the Torah.
representing the bone, parsley for carpas, horseradish root for maror and the
small pieces of apple and nuts in wine for the haroset. The hard-boiled egg
is for fertility and the parted waters on the bottom tell the story of crossing
the Red Sea while escaping from slavery to freedom.
Alef Bet ABC
Each box contains two sizes of Hebrew letters, overlapping and playful. This design features three of each English letter, 2 capitols and one small case.
The box design is symbolic of the square nature of the Hebrew language. The letters are overlapping and in a consecutive arrangement to reflect the flow of
reading and writing.
Each box contains two sizes of Hebrew letters, overlapping and playful. This design features three of each English letter, 2 capitols and one small case.
The box design is symbolic of the square nature of the Hebrew language. The letters are overlapping and in a consecutive arrangement to reflect the flow of
reading and writing.
Israel
The Lion of Judah overlooks and protects. The flag unfurls throughout the picture,
the blue stripes flowing with water to irrigate the land. The central seven branched
menorah is a symbol from the Beit Hamikdash, the Temple in Jerusalem. The dove
of peace is carrying the olive branch and the camel symbolizes the Negev, the desert.
The Lion of Judah overlooks and protects. The flag unfurls throughout the picture,
the blue stripes flowing with water to irrigate the land. The central seven branched
menorah is a symbol from the Beit Hamikdash, the Temple in Jerusalem. The dove
of peace is carrying the olive branch and the camel symbolizes the Negev, the desert.