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visions of home lands
Solo Exhibition
to benefit Hearts & Homes for Refugees
These reflect the people, scenes and other subjects that convey
the richness of the worlds from which we all come, or those of our ancestors.
The collection was on exhibition April/May 2022 at the
White Plains Library Museum Gallery (White Plains, NY)
Some paintings remain available so feel free to peruse below.
Just click on a painting to see the suggested donation amount.
For inquiries, please go to Contact
Geisha Smile
Oil, 16x20-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep
Available for $500 donation to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
The word "geisha" literally means "artisan".The profession of a geisha was officially recognized in the second half of the eighteenth century. Geisha are women who dedicate their lives to Japanese traditional arts and put their talents to use entertaining customers on the occasion of banquets and performances.
Originally, the geisha profession could be practiced by both men and women. Geisha must master of several types of arts, which are generally traditional Japanese dances (including those involving a fan), singing, literature, poetry, flower arranging, and the playing of traditional instruments. In addition to entertaining through the arts, geisha are also skilled in the art of conversation and must have wide general knowledge.
Geisha have long embodied the height of refinement and they are undoubtedly custodians of Japanese culture and traditions. Today, they are highly respected and their loyal customers spend large sums of money to enjoy their company, usually in ochaya, tea houses.
In the eighteenth century, numbers of geisha were in the thousands. Today there are fewer than 200 geisha. The difficult training, obligation to sacrifice their youth, inability to start a family or get married (unless you leave the profession), and lack of privacy are among some of the deterrents.
Artist's Note
Images of geisha are often somewhat serious but this woman appears to be about to share an amusing anecdote with us. A cheerful personality comes through the white face makeup, heavy silk kimono, and formal hair styling.
Available for $500 donation to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
The word "geisha" literally means "artisan".The profession of a geisha was officially recognized in the second half of the eighteenth century. Geisha are women who dedicate their lives to Japanese traditional arts and put their talents to use entertaining customers on the occasion of banquets and performances.
Originally, the geisha profession could be practiced by both men and women. Geisha must master of several types of arts, which are generally traditional Japanese dances (including those involving a fan), singing, literature, poetry, flower arranging, and the playing of traditional instruments. In addition to entertaining through the arts, geisha are also skilled in the art of conversation and must have wide general knowledge.
Geisha have long embodied the height of refinement and they are undoubtedly custodians of Japanese culture and traditions. Today, they are highly respected and their loyal customers spend large sums of money to enjoy their company, usually in ochaya, tea houses.
In the eighteenth century, numbers of geisha were in the thousands. Today there are fewer than 200 geisha. The difficult training, obligation to sacrifice their youth, inability to start a family or get married (unless you leave the profession), and lack of privacy are among some of the deterrents.
Artist's Note
Images of geisha are often somewhat serious but this woman appears to be about to share an amusing anecdote with us. A cheerful personality comes through the white face makeup, heavy silk kimono, and formal hair styling.
Apricots in the Sun SOLD
Acrylic, 11x14-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep
$325 SOLD
Proceeds will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
Apricots are widely grown in the Hunza Valley, a mountainous valley in the northern part of the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan that borders China.
It is believed (by some) that the people who live in the Hunza Valley have unusually long life expectancy due to a largely plant-based cuisine - with specific credit given to apricots which are a staple of their diet!
Here, a sun-drying method is used; the fruit is placed in large round trays and set in the sunlight for about 6 - 9 days.
Apricots were first introduced to the New World in the early 18th century by Spanish missionaries in California, where the fruit is still grown today.
Artist’s Note
We can only imagine the aroma of the drying apricots laid out in large pans and baskets all around the women in their billowing, colorful garb.
$325 SOLD
Proceeds will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
Apricots are widely grown in the Hunza Valley, a mountainous valley in the northern part of the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan that borders China.
It is believed (by some) that the people who live in the Hunza Valley have unusually long life expectancy due to a largely plant-based cuisine - with specific credit given to apricots which are a staple of their diet!
Here, a sun-drying method is used; the fruit is placed in large round trays and set in the sunlight for about 6 - 9 days.
Apricots were first introduced to the New World in the early 18th century by Spanish missionaries in California, where the fruit is still grown today.
Artist’s Note
We can only imagine the aroma of the drying apricots laid out in large pans and baskets all around the women in their billowing, colorful garb.
Iraqi Friend SOLD
Oil, 16x20-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep
Available for $500 donation to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
This Iraqi man sports a keffiyeh which is also known as a “kufiya”, “shemagh” or “hattah”. It is a square-shaped cotton scarf with a long and complex history.
The keffiyeh’s roots date back to Mesopotamia in 3100 BC where it was worn by the Babylonians and Sumerians. The actual word ‘keffiyeh’ has its origins in the ‘Kufa’ area of Iraq and means “from the city of Kufa''. The scarf, which is usually made from cotton, was an essential piece of clothing for the Bedouins of the desert and Fellahi people, who used it as protection from heat and sand storms.
It now goes by many names and can be found in numerous Arab countries such as Palestine, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Iraq.
Artist’s Note
There was something about this gentleman’s expression that warmed me. I imagine that he has seen a great deal in his lifetime yet continues to exude grace and humor.
Available for $500 donation to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
This Iraqi man sports a keffiyeh which is also known as a “kufiya”, “shemagh” or “hattah”. It is a square-shaped cotton scarf with a long and complex history.
The keffiyeh’s roots date back to Mesopotamia in 3100 BC where it was worn by the Babylonians and Sumerians. The actual word ‘keffiyeh’ has its origins in the ‘Kufa’ area of Iraq and means “from the city of Kufa''. The scarf, which is usually made from cotton, was an essential piece of clothing for the Bedouins of the desert and Fellahi people, who used it as protection from heat and sand storms.
It now goes by many names and can be found in numerous Arab countries such as Palestine, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Iraq.
Artist’s Note
There was something about this gentleman’s expression that warmed me. I imagine that he has seen a great deal in his lifetime yet continues to exude grace and humor.
Hatted Peruvian Boy SOLD
Oil, 16x20-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep
Available for $500 donation to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
The most distinctive part of boy's and men's clothing in Peru is the handwoven poncho. Nearly every Quechua man and boy has a poncho, generally red in colour decorated with intricate designs.
Each district has a distinctive pattern. In some communities such as Huilloc, Patacancha, and many villages in the Lares Valley ponchos are worn as daily attire. However most men use their ponchos on special occasions such as festivals, village meetings, weddings etc.
Artist's Note
The contemplative expression of this young man contrasts with the joyful, colorful hat and poncho he is wearing so proudly.
Available for $500 donation to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
The most distinctive part of boy's and men's clothing in Peru is the handwoven poncho. Nearly every Quechua man and boy has a poncho, generally red in colour decorated with intricate designs.
Each district has a distinctive pattern. In some communities such as Huilloc, Patacancha, and many villages in the Lares Valley ponchos are worn as daily attire. However most men use their ponchos on special occasions such as festivals, village meetings, weddings etc.
Artist's Note
The contemplative expression of this young man contrasts with the joyful, colorful hat and poncho he is wearing so proudly.
Archway Through Time SOLD
Oil, 11x14-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep
$300
Proceeds will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
Ancient aqueducts are ubiquitous throughout Israel. These man-made water supply channels were developed throughout different eras in Israel’s history, from the
Iron age through the Hellenistic period and most notably during the Roman rule, when the systems were perfected.
Perhaps the most famous and impressive aqueduct in Israel is found near the ancient port city of Caesarea. It was constructed by Herod the Great two thousand years ago to bring extra water to the growing city from springs ten kilometers away. A second parallel aqueduct was built a few centuries later by the Romans.
The raised aqueducts with their iconic arches can be seen in a number of places today, including Apollonia and Herzliya as well as Caesarea, in remarkably good condition.
Artist’s Note
Peeking through the arches of an ancient aqueduct is akin to sharing a view with those who lived thousands of years ago. Surely those ancestors were awed by the turquoise-colored sea below a pristine blue sky, as we are.
$300
Proceeds will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
Ancient aqueducts are ubiquitous throughout Israel. These man-made water supply channels were developed throughout different eras in Israel’s history, from the
Iron age through the Hellenistic period and most notably during the Roman rule, when the systems were perfected.
Perhaps the most famous and impressive aqueduct in Israel is found near the ancient port city of Caesarea. It was constructed by Herod the Great two thousand years ago to bring extra water to the growing city from springs ten kilometers away. A second parallel aqueduct was built a few centuries later by the Romans.
The raised aqueducts with their iconic arches can be seen in a number of places today, including Apollonia and Herzliya as well as Caesarea, in remarkably good condition.
Artist’s Note
Peeking through the arches of an ancient aqueduct is akin to sharing a view with those who lived thousands of years ago. Surely those ancestors were awed by the turquoise-colored sea below a pristine blue sky, as we are.
'Xylophone' Leaves SOLD
Acrylic, 16x20-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep
$450
Proceeds will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
Orchids are the second biggest group of flowering plants, with about 28,000 species and a huge range of flower shapes and colors. The leaves also differ in terms of structure and design, and these have a unique keyboard-like design.
The word ‘orchid’ is derived from the Greek word for testicles, due to the shape of the root tubers. Thus orchids have been associated with sexuality or fertility in some cultures.
Ancient Greeks ate orchid root tubers to determine the sex of an unborn fetus. In ancient Japan, the plant symbolized bravery. The Aztecs made a potion with orchids to improve physical strength. And on it goes with different beliefs about the value and benefits of orchids. Different orchids are even the floral emblems of many countries.
Artist's Note
While most see the orchid flower as the most beautiful part of the plant, it is the leaves that endure longer and are equally arresting.
$450
Proceeds will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
Orchids are the second biggest group of flowering plants, with about 28,000 species and a huge range of flower shapes and colors. The leaves also differ in terms of structure and design, and these have a unique keyboard-like design.
The word ‘orchid’ is derived from the Greek word for testicles, due to the shape of the root tubers. Thus orchids have been associated with sexuality or fertility in some cultures.
Ancient Greeks ate orchid root tubers to determine the sex of an unborn fetus. In ancient Japan, the plant symbolized bravery. The Aztecs made a potion with orchids to improve physical strength. And on it goes with different beliefs about the value and benefits of orchids. Different orchids are even the floral emblems of many countries.
Artist's Note
While most see the orchid flower as the most beautiful part of the plant, it is the leaves that endure longer and are equally arresting.
Sweet & Crunchy SOLD
Oil, 16x16-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep
$450
Proceeds will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
The ancestors of apples as we know them today come from Kazakhstan, according to analysis of the DNA of apples. In fact, the city of Almaty, the second largest city in Kazakhastan, claimed the honor of ‘birth place of the apple’ about 100 years ago. Looking back hundreds of years, the name ‘Almaty’ was previously recorded as ‘Alma-Ata’ which translates from Kazakh as ‘Father of the Apples’.
Apples spread naturally to Syria, where the Romans picked them up and travelled along the Silk Road to bring them East. They learned to graft, and started to cultivate apples similar to the ones we know and enjoy today.
In all, believe it or not, there are 7,500 varieties of apples in existence throughout the world today, 2,500 of which are grown in the United States.
Artist's Note
There is nothing as enticing as a shiny red apple! The smooth skin reflects the light and belies the juicy flesh inside. Yum!
$450
Proceeds will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
The ancestors of apples as we know them today come from Kazakhstan, according to analysis of the DNA of apples. In fact, the city of Almaty, the second largest city in Kazakhastan, claimed the honor of ‘birth place of the apple’ about 100 years ago. Looking back hundreds of years, the name ‘Almaty’ was previously recorded as ‘Alma-Ata’ which translates from Kazakh as ‘Father of the Apples’.
Apples spread naturally to Syria, where the Romans picked them up and travelled along the Silk Road to bring them East. They learned to graft, and started to cultivate apples similar to the ones we know and enjoy today.
In all, believe it or not, there are 7,500 varieties of apples in existence throughout the world today, 2,500 of which are grown in the United States.
Artist's Note
There is nothing as enticing as a shiny red apple! The smooth skin reflects the light and belies the juicy flesh inside. Yum!
Balancing Nature
Oil, 16x20-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep
Available for $450 donation to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
Likely from a remote rural village in India that does not have access to running water or electricity, these women are returning from a local river where they collected water for their families.
The easiest way to stop any spillage and carry the weight is to balance the pots of water on their heads. The pots are made of clay which keeps its contents cool and is used for storage as well.
The women are draped in simple cotton sarees, tied slightly shorter so they can move freely to get on with their everyday chores.
Artist's Note
We imagine that the pots of water are quite heavy, yet these women appear elegant and statuesque as they stride throught the forest. Their beautiful, brightly colored clothing stands out from the dense greenery around them.
Available for $450 donation to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
Likely from a remote rural village in India that does not have access to running water or electricity, these women are returning from a local river where they collected water for their families.
The easiest way to stop any spillage and carry the weight is to balance the pots of water on their heads. The pots are made of clay which keeps its contents cool and is used for storage as well.
The women are draped in simple cotton sarees, tied slightly shorter so they can move freely to get on with their everyday chores.
Artist's Note
We imagine that the pots of water are quite heavy, yet these women appear elegant and statuesque as they stride throught the forest. Their beautiful, brightly colored clothing stands out from the dense greenery around them.
Graceful Burden SOLD
Oil, 18x18-inch gallery canvas 1.5 inches deep
$600
Proceeds will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
The agricultural sector in The Gambia is the most important in the country’s economy. 80% of Gambians and 38% of employed women work in agriculture.
Women in particular have been credited with critical developments in rice production technologies going back at least to the 16th century. Their knowledge and skills related to rice agriculture made Mandinka women of the Gambia River region critical to West Africa’s Upper Guinea coast - and also to life in the Americas as enslaved producers. (Mandinkan people became a large demographic represented in southeastern U.S. plantations because of their knowledge of rice cultivation.)
Rice harvesting rice is back-breaking work. Farmers move through the rice field, pulling the rice stalks together with one hand and cutting the sharp stalks at the base with a knife. They then bundle the stalks together, tie them with a length of leaf or twine, and put the bales in a basket or other receptacle to be carried away.
Artist’s Note
This woman’s straight-back stance belies the weight of the rice straw she carries. She splashes the water as she wades through, using a walking stick to maintain balance. An image of strength and beauty.
$600
Proceeds will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
The agricultural sector in The Gambia is the most important in the country’s economy. 80% of Gambians and 38% of employed women work in agriculture.
Women in particular have been credited with critical developments in rice production technologies going back at least to the 16th century. Their knowledge and skills related to rice agriculture made Mandinka women of the Gambia River region critical to West Africa’s Upper Guinea coast - and also to life in the Americas as enslaved producers. (Mandinkan people became a large demographic represented in southeastern U.S. plantations because of their knowledge of rice cultivation.)
Rice harvesting rice is back-breaking work. Farmers move through the rice field, pulling the rice stalks together with one hand and cutting the sharp stalks at the base with a knife. They then bundle the stalks together, tie them with a length of leaf or twine, and put the bales in a basket or other receptacle to be carried away.
Artist’s Note
This woman’s straight-back stance belies the weight of the rice straw she carries. She splashes the water as she wades through, using a walking stick to maintain balance. An image of strength and beauty.
Turkish Kiraz SOLD
Oil, 16x16-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep
$450
Proceeds will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
Cherries are an indispensable part of Turkish food culture and are grown in two main categories: kiraz are sweet cherries and vişne are sour. Turkey is the world’s largest cherry grower; the U.S. is the second largest.
Cherries are a summer fruit that grow in hot climates. Despite this, cherries are also very tough and durable, with some types withstanding temperatures as cold as minus 26 degrees Celsius (minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit). This makes every corner of Turkey suitable for growing cherries.
However, the best cherries in the country grow on the northern slopes of the Taurus Mountains, throughout the Aegean region and in the western part of Central Anatolia. These three areas are the most productive regions for cherry growing. In addition, provinces such as Izmir, Manisa, Isparta, Afyonkarahisar and Denizli are the leading “city” producers of cherries across Turkey. The majority of the cherries grown in these provinces are exported to countries such as Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands and Russia.
Artist’s Note
Cherries are a unique shade of red with strong hints of magenta, and are characterized by a glossy skin that glistens in the light. Unlike tomatoes that are similar in size, cherries are nearly heart-shaped which makes them even more visually interesting.
$450
Proceeds will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
Cherries are an indispensable part of Turkish food culture and are grown in two main categories: kiraz are sweet cherries and vişne are sour. Turkey is the world’s largest cherry grower; the U.S. is the second largest.
Cherries are a summer fruit that grow in hot climates. Despite this, cherries are also very tough and durable, with some types withstanding temperatures as cold as minus 26 degrees Celsius (minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit). This makes every corner of Turkey suitable for growing cherries.
However, the best cherries in the country grow on the northern slopes of the Taurus Mountains, throughout the Aegean region and in the western part of Central Anatolia. These three areas are the most productive regions for cherry growing. In addition, provinces such as Izmir, Manisa, Isparta, Afyonkarahisar and Denizli are the leading “city” producers of cherries across Turkey. The majority of the cherries grown in these provinces are exported to countries such as Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands and Russia.
Artist’s Note
Cherries are a unique shade of red with strong hints of magenta, and are characterized by a glossy skin that glistens in the light. Unlike tomatoes that are similar in size, cherries are nearly heart-shaped which makes them even more visually interesting.
Malaysian Melange SOLD
Acrylic, 16x16-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep
$500
Proceeds will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
At a Malaysian market, you might see such items as:
Wau Bulan, crescent moon-shaped kites that are a Malaysian national symbol. The kites produce a deep, humming sound, a feature that fosters the belief that the kite becomes alive once it is in the air. There are several types, each distinctive shapes and different humming sounds. They are usually designed with a floral motif and are widely found in the northeastern states of Malaysia such as Kelantan and Terengganu, especially during harvest time.
Indonesian masks come in a variety of different forms, intended to scare off evil spirits, connect with ancestors, cure sickness or to prevent natural disasters like floods, famine and drought. Javanese masks are traditionally used for dance performances, called Topeng in Indonesian. Their masks are brightly colored and may represent characters from Javanese myth or history.
Hand-woven rattan balls were traditionally used in Malaysia’s national sport which is called Sepak Takraw (also nicknamed kick volleyball). The game involves two teams of 2-4 players on a court resembling a badminton court; players are only allowed to use their feet, knees, shoulders, chest and head to touch the ball. Introduced at the 1965 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur as a medal event, the sport now uses synthetic plastic instead of the traditional rattan.
Artist’s Note
Malaysian colors and patterns are uniquely bright and energizing, an aesthetic that carries over into many aspects of their culture.
$500
Proceeds will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
At a Malaysian market, you might see such items as:
Wau Bulan, crescent moon-shaped kites that are a Malaysian national symbol. The kites produce a deep, humming sound, a feature that fosters the belief that the kite becomes alive once it is in the air. There are several types, each distinctive shapes and different humming sounds. They are usually designed with a floral motif and are widely found in the northeastern states of Malaysia such as Kelantan and Terengganu, especially during harvest time.
Indonesian masks come in a variety of different forms, intended to scare off evil spirits, connect with ancestors, cure sickness or to prevent natural disasters like floods, famine and drought. Javanese masks are traditionally used for dance performances, called Topeng in Indonesian. Their masks are brightly colored and may represent characters from Javanese myth or history.
Hand-woven rattan balls were traditionally used in Malaysia’s national sport which is called Sepak Takraw (also nicknamed kick volleyball). The game involves two teams of 2-4 players on a court resembling a badminton court; players are only allowed to use their feet, knees, shoulders, chest and head to touch the ball. Introduced at the 1965 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur as a medal event, the sport now uses synthetic plastic instead of the traditional rattan.
Artist’s Note
Malaysian colors and patterns are uniquely bright and energizing, an aesthetic that carries over into many aspects of their culture.
Crossing the Paddy Field SOLD
Oil, 16x16-inch gallery canvas, 1.5 inches deep
$550
Proceeds will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
More than 70% of Myanmar’s population reside in rural areas and have livelihoods that are closely connected with rice industry. Rice is grown on more than half of the country’s arable land and the country is the seventh largest producer of rice in the world today.
Until the late1960s, Myanmar was called the rice basket of Southeast Asia and was the main rice exporter. However, multiple factors caused other countries, such as Thailand, to take the lead in rice production and distribution.
In Myanmar today, rice is grown in all the three seasons of the year but primarily in the monsoon season from June to October. Production is heavily dependent on traditional methods of cultivation: human and animal power. In fact, most of the rice planting and harvesting is done by hand.
The fields are tilled when the first rains arrive – traditionally 40 days after Thingyan, the Burmese new year in early June. The plants are initially grown in nurseries and then transplanted by hand into the prepared fields. The rice is harvested in late November, then threshed and stored, ready for the mills.
Artist’s Note
Rice farming has many shapes: the horizontal land, the vertical rice plants shooting up from the watery rice paddy, the conical khamauk (the farmer’s hat) – all of which conspire to form a varied and colorful view. I can almost hear the farmer’s steps as they squish in the paddy.
$550
Proceeds will be donated to Hearts & Homes for Refugees
More than 70% of Myanmar’s population reside in rural areas and have livelihoods that are closely connected with rice industry. Rice is grown on more than half of the country’s arable land and the country is the seventh largest producer of rice in the world today.
Until the late1960s, Myanmar was called the rice basket of Southeast Asia and was the main rice exporter. However, multiple factors caused other countries, such as Thailand, to take the lead in rice production and distribution.
In Myanmar today, rice is grown in all the three seasons of the year but primarily in the monsoon season from June to October. Production is heavily dependent on traditional methods of cultivation: human and animal power. In fact, most of the rice planting and harvesting is done by hand.
The fields are tilled when the first rains arrive – traditionally 40 days after Thingyan, the Burmese new year in early June. The plants are initially grown in nurseries and then transplanted by hand into the prepared fields. The rice is harvested in late November, then threshed and stored, ready for the mills.
Artist’s Note
Rice farming has many shapes: the horizontal land, the vertical rice plants shooting up from the watery rice paddy, the conical khamauk (the farmer’s hat) – all of which conspire to form a varied and colorful view. I can almost hear the farmer’s steps as they squish in the paddy.
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