Painting, "Word with wings", oil on canvas, limited reproduction Prints at Saatchiart

So happy! A dream come true!



A little bird whispered in my ear a few years ago that in the future I would hold an exhibition in Israel. I had no idea that the bird whispered prophetically! Now I'm finally on my way to having my first art exhibition in Israel!

For a time ago I received a request if I wanted an exhibition in Israel. Of course, I answered yes, to that question. Through a friend, I got in touch with a curator in Israel who represents Yam Labanim Gallery in Rishon Lezion. Yam Lebanim is a museum in memory of the fallen soldiers in Israel. Next to the Museum there is a beutiful art gallery.

I immediately felt that this was something for me. A local artist Roni Valdenberg where also to exhibit and the exhibition. The exhibiton is about how we see the country from our point of view.

Finely in Eretz Israel!

Grateful to be in Israel and to have an Exhibition.

What I hope visitors will experience is that my art gives them an understanding of how important their country is to us in the world, Israel is a light to the nations in so many ways, and my art is a way for me to say thank you Israel!

Tu Bishvat starts when the exhibit begins.

New year of the trees….

Painting "A twig of an almond tree", oil on canvas, limited edition Prints

After I landed on Ben Gurian, Lisa came and picked me up and we went straight to Ricardo & Julia Schlimovitch, J.R. Art dealers , and I left my paintings there to get them ready for the art exhibit.

So satisfied by the nice frame well done!

Ricardo made the work fast and proferssional!

Arriving at Lisa's Farm Place. A beautiful farm located in east Rishon Lizion. With the city center only about 30 min walk from the farm, Lisa's place is embedded in a quiet leafy green space and the city pulse feels very far away. Here are dogs, horses, orange trees, olive groves and a parrot who sounds like a cellphone...!

Pling! Message…?

No,

the parrot!

Here are three small cabins for rent, one of which is a train wagon, that has been renovated and transformed into a cozy little cabin with all the beautiful details of the wagon remaining.

Here I will stay for 9 days, what a luxury!

More info about Uri & Lisa’s Farm Place

But one problem remained, to transport the three paintings that I sold a few years ago from the owner who lives in Samaria. No one wanted to go up to these areas as it is in the disputed zone known as the West Bank in the media. Lisa said, no problem, I'll drive you there. Some people are steady and fearless as few, and know how to get on the right paths. Thank you God for these wonderful people, Lisa and her husband Uri, are such people. They take you anywhere in Israel.

Lisa and I went up to the mountains of Samaria. There it was beutiful but cold and windy! Suddenly I felt like I was back in Sweden!

Thankful that I got to borrow the paintings from the owner and to exhibit at the Yad Labanim Gallery.

That means I have a little more paintings to exhibit at the Gallery.

Delivered the paintings to the Gallery where everything was very nicely arranged, the brochure was also ready. Very pleased with how everything looked. Thanks to the curator Adi Angel!

Between the days before Vernissage day I spent sight seeing. Visited the resident off Israels first president Chaim Weizmann and the Rishon Lezion Museum and also the Museum located next to the Gallery, Yad Lebanim Museum, made a day trip to the Negev Desert and was guided by Uri Madar the ways of the Nebateans. Very interesting!

Uri Madar is a professional guide and has an education in archeology. We had breakfast in the middle of the desert together with their son that serves in the Israeli Army at a military station.

Me in front of a Israeli tank, next mission? ;-)

A visit to Israel without a visit to Jerusalem does not realy work for me, I have been to Israel 16 times. But I've never been here without visiting Jerusalem…. Why might you think.... I always want to return there to the Temple Mount to pray & say thank you to The Creator of heaven & earth

On Thursday we visited Jerusalem. Unfortunately you are not allowed to pray at Temple Mountain, or bring your Bible, and if the Muslims see that you pray you have to go out immediately. Only the Muslims are allowed to pray there at present. Jews and Christians pray below at the western wall. It's really strange because the Temple of the Jews was on the Temple Mount, so why shouldn't we pray there? Tragic that everyone is pushing Israel to back down all the time... they gave up Gaza and now we do not know what is going on, with the so called ”peace plan”...

But one thing I know if they tear down... again... then Israel rebuilds... again.. and again..

We went up to Temple Mount together with a Jewish group. They must always be followed by police around them, as shelters and also to check that we are not praying. The Jewish group walks around the Temple site, but not near the Mosque where the Temple was. Because according to Judaism they are not ceremonially pure. Whether there is a mosque there or not, the Jews keep the place sacred.

Our walk was a very special one, I never felt scared, just honored to be at this sacred place even though there was a recent terrorist attack the same day on the spot. Don't know why I didn't feel any fear, I just felt embedded in gratitude to God as well as the immense joy of being here at the Tempel mount, with the Jews.

In Jerusalem, I was also invited to see Bar Mitzvah. My first!

Back in Rishon Lezion, it was time to arrange for the art exhibition at the Yad LaBanim Gallery. We went there a little before the opening which started at 8 in the evening. We had with us a monitor where I would show a power point presentation of my Israeli art, and a description in Hebrew. It was very good that I could give this little presentation because it was visitors at the exhibition who could only speak Hebrew. Curator Adi Angel also gave a brief introduction of me and Rani Valdenburg in Hebrew.

Adi told us that this was the first time anyone from another country was exhibit art at the Yad LaBanim Gallery. Because the museum itself is a museum in memory of soldiers from Israel, who died in battle as well as terror victims. Here I stood, an (un) ordinary Swede who had lived in a "neutral" country all my life and now was in an art exhibition at this place.

Felt incredibly honorable.

Somehow I felt "done". A dream that had come true!

Happy & done!,

I will continue to paint, but this felt like the highlight of my life.

If you are interested in a painting, contact me or Saatchi art In addition, the Yad LaBanim Gallery is not commercial. Artists may "just" show art there, not sell. There was a small table with our business cards, so of course if anyone is interested they can contact the artists directly for more information on price and delivery.

The paintings hang at the Yad LaBanim Gallery until March 24. Only after March 24 can delivery take place.

Very honored to exhibit with Rani Valdenberg, a Jewish artist living outside of Jerusalem who does wonderful art of her beautiful surroundings. Skilled and professional. We had very different styles, but both painted with great love for the land of Israel. A very unique exhibition, the combination of Rani's and my art.

Welcome to see the exhibition if you are nearby. More info

After the exhibition I was invited to stay at my friends Varda and Shmuel's house. I had not yet seen the almond tree flower even though it is the time of almond blossom. So thankful to Varda and Shmuel who took me to a park not far from Jerusalem, where we saw both white and pink almond flowers! So beautiful!

We also had the opportunity to visit the sea and enjoy a walk in the sand and also got some sun and fresh winds before the rain came pouring down.

I was not expecting to have time to see so much things during this journey, I already seen much during my travels to the land before, and my focus was on the art exhibition. But as always, Israel always suprices me with the kindness & hospitality from the people hwo lives here. It is always new things to see in this amazing country!

Now it is winter in Israel. Rainy season which is good for the country, that shows completely different colors then during the dry seasons.

It feels strange to go back to Sweden after this unique experience. I hope to meet my new & old friends here in Israel again soon.

On the flight back I saw this amazing snow moon. It reminded me my beutiful marrige for seven years ago in the white snow. Miss my husband and soon I will meet him and we will cellibrate seven years as married!

❤

This journey I also had the opportunity to see a kind off marrige, a Bar Mitzva, it is like a marrige between the people and God.

A rare and special journey in so many ways, that I will keep in my heart forever.

Travel to Israel

I encurage you who never been in Israel to visit the Land of Milk & Honey.

Contact me if you would be interested in a creative Journey to Israel next year during the spring. I will guide you in a Art course in beautiful and inspiring surraundings & sightseeing with a proferssional guide.

Le-hi-traot!

See you soon again

Israel!



Nina

Watching the moon

Springtime and "Kosläpp" cow release time! A day when the cows get out from their stable after a long winter. In Sweden, it is a tradition for people to watch the cows gets out on the fields. I guess all of us feels like the cows during springtime, we just want to run out, jump in joy in the sun after a long dark and cold winter, and I believe that is why this tradition is so popular.

I just love springtime! So much expectation in the air! Nature is calling and the cows get out from the stables. It is fun to watch them jump in enthusiasm and joy and for me is a joy to paint these lovely creatures!

During the time I spent painting the cow I got really curious to go to see the "kosläpp" cow realize. Maybe you want to look at this spectacular event that we suede's like so much, well now is the time! Times and places to see the event for you who lives in Sweden;

K O S L Ä P P

When I painted the portrait my focus was to make it softer and put the light on the hands. I also wanted the color more soft warm golden then the picture, still, I can see the likeness of the child on the photo even if it was not my main focus. I call the painting "Silent prayer". Oil, 65x45 cm.

When I made the painting I used black gesso for the background before starting the portrait. Gesso dries faster than oil and is a good alternative to acrylic or tempera. I love painting on freehand not making up lines or other techniques, it is more of a challenge, and so much fun! I sketch the face and body with yellow ochre (Michal Harding) and a small brush. Then I start to paint with Isabey brush. I use these brushes in different sizes, one off my favorite brushes! You can find them and Michal Harding oil color at Färg, Elektravägen 18, Hägersten, Sweden, farg.nu

If you are interested in a course how to paint a portrait, you can order the course here: ninabjorkart

I used a warmer tone in the painting because I wanted the painting to be warmer in the colors than the photo. The hands were important to me, I love the way the child try to put her little fingers together, you can see in the photo she has a problem to put them together correctly. But there is no right or wrong when it comes to prayers, the only thing that is important is the heart, and the heart of a little child is always right. I wanted to capture that moment and the black huge emptiness around her, still safe, warm and aware of her true safety. May we never forget our childhood faith.

If you are interested in a portrait on commission, send a photo to me, more info and price contact me at; [email protected]

Or if you are interested in the painting above, contact me a here or at the same e-mail.