Ella Gottenberg
ART GALLERY
The Inner View
The Eye
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, November 2015
This painting is talking about human intuition.
While our mind is basing its decision on what we already know, see, hear etc. sometimes there is the small inner voice of our inner eye - our intuition that tells us to take a different approach, a different path, a different decision than what the mind directs.
In our rational world there is little room for intuition so many people prefer to follow the mind and not the heart.
Our eyes can deceive us, the information we have may be irrelevant to the specific case and as a result we may take the wrong decision if we'll not leave some room also for our inner eye and intuition...
Red
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, December 2015
Can blue become red upon a choice?
Can a person pretend to be what he's not?
Can the figure in the painting be considered as red and not blue just because it has a red hat and collar?
Sometimes people trying to present themselves as something they're not if because they believe that who they are is not good enough or to fulfil expectations of others.
Eventually our true colours are always shown and pretence will never make the pretender life happier.
Being yourself and accepting yourself for what you are will lead to healthier life in which a person can realize himself/herself without feeling artificial and false.
The right people for you will accept you for who you are and those who won't, you anyway don't need in your life...
Hope
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, December 2015
No matter how hard things look or how bad you're feeling, remember that there is always hope in the horizon and things will get better.
Triangulum
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, January 2016
What power we hold in our hands?
Some may believe that it's limited to what they think they know and can/can't do and indeed their achievements in life normally will reflect that belief.
Others believe they have unlimited power as if they're holding a Triangulum (star constellation in the northern sky) in their hands.
In the end of the day, our ability and power resulting from our belief in ourselves and we all can hold a Triangulum in our hands and achieve amazing things if we only believe we can...
Gentleman
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, January 2016
A gentleman doesn't measured by how gently he's holding his goblet but by how gently he's treating others...
The Receiver
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, January 2016
The universe is generous to all, if only we open to receive its gifts.
An open mind and a positive attitude will insure that will become a receiver of the blessings and gifts that the universe and life can bestow upon us...
The Tumbler
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, February 2016
The tumbler is constantly falling but raising back again.
It may look funny and be laughed at but it has the power to endure its falls and go on.
It may wear a clown's hat but it wears it with pride as a king's crown that rules over his domain of life with might.
This painting is dedicated to all to courageous people that doing what they're believe in despite failures and difficulties, even if others don't believe in them, push them down or laugh at them.
Those people are the true kings and queens of their life and of this world!
Prayer
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, February 2016
The word "Prayer" in the English language is also a Noun and a verb which may indicate that the person making the act is becoming the act.
Becoming fully one with what we're doing in spirit and soul, is taking us to a higher level of intention and performance which results in more successful outcome of our actions/work, same as an answer to an authentic and true prayer.
Unexpected Tribute
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, March 2016
Sometimes we receive something positive from the most unexpected person or factor.
So it can be wise keeping our hearts, minds and doors open for unexpected benefactors...
The Embrace
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, March 2016
The most important embrace you can give is to yourself.
We're all make mistakes and no one is perfect so we need to realize that we're OK as we are.
We can learn from failures and external criticism but those don't make us any less complete or unworthy of love and respect.
It's easy to celebrate ourselves in times of success and happiness but self embrace and acceptance is especially important in times of hardship and sadness.
Self embrace should be constant and solid no matter what, same as the figure in the painting that has its arms connected in an embrace that can't be broken.
Chameleon
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, March 2016
No matter how one will try to disguise himself, sooner or later people will see his true self.
Sometimes we're not aware that our true colours are more beautiful than the disguise and sometimes people acknowledge that there's something negative in their true colours in which case it's better to change the colours from within than from without...
Ball Dance
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, March 2016
No matter where or when you dance, your body and soul are having a ball.
So no need to wait for ball rooms, just dance.
Old Thinker
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, April 2016
The age of a thought is the age of the soul producing it rather than the age of the body holding the soul...
Melancholy
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, May 2016
Fossilized Pride
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, May 2016
Man's/woman's pride can stop him/her from acting in fear of failure and its projection on self esteem.
Pride can prevent one to show weakness and ask for help when needed.
Pride can prevent one from admitting making a mistake, ask forgiveness and make amends with people he cares about.
Pride can make a person into stone-fossilize him which indeed will keep him strong but in the same time slowly but surely, take his and others life away from him...
Autoimmobile
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, May 2016
The methods to reach a goal or destination are often more complicated and less glamorous than what one will wish for while the more agreeable methods may lead to nowhere.
Same as the figure in the painting that is raiding a shiny vehicle that is actually not mobile...
The Weaver
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, May 2016
We weave our life and reality same as the weaver weaves the cloth.
Same as the cloth, the quality and beauty of our reality correlates with the efforts and care invested in making of it...
The Life Bearer
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, December 2015
Normally life bearing is referred to pregnancy when a woman carriers a child.
However we often don't realize that each one of us is a life bearer, we bear our own life.
This notion is reflected in the painting's figure that appears to carry something in her body but it's not totally clear if it's part of her own entity or other life that she carriers (a child).
Our life is not less important than a child's life during a pregnancy and as a pregnant woman taking better care of herself during the pregnancy to insure her baby's well-being (physically and emotionally), we need to remember that our own life should be treated in the same care and respect.
Many times we put ourselves in harmful situation that can be avoided or doing things that can hurt our body and soul.
The life we all carry is precious and should be treated as such.
Roaring Serenity
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, December 2015
Some people have the ability to look serene while they are all roaring in anger inside.
Sometimes it can assist in situations that require restrained behaviour as in a work place but sometimes it can prevent from a person to get a better/different treatment because his/hers surrounding doesn't understand his/hers true feelings.
The figure in the painting looks serene but its hand posture, fists and reddish eyes reveals it's not that serene after all...
The key is to know when to constrain one's emotions and when to let go.
By The Sweat Of Your Brow
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, December 2015
When Adam was expelled from the garden of Eden, men kind was cursed to live by the sweat of their brow. No more easy living where men don't need to do a thing for food and shelter but hard work to provide the needs of our existence.
But was it really a curse? Could men kind really develop and grow mentality and spirituality if we were lying all day long under the apple tree?
Yes it's hard to learn and produce but we were blessed with the ability to grow and creat our own unique gardens and fruits which is more of God's gift than a punishment.
Stream of Reflection
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, January 2016
Each mind is unique and creates a stream of thought that as a mirror reflects the nature of the reflector.
If one wishes to have a beautiful reflection, he/she should make sure to have a positive mind...
Happy 2016 to all the beautiful minds out there!
The mute flutist
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, January 2016
Sometimes all one has is a flute to make his voice be heard...
Make your voice be heard no matter in what means you are able to express it.
Charm Hat
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, January 2016
Ones real charm is not in what he/she wears or his/hers looks but in the personality and behaviour...
No matter how charming the hat is; it won't compensate for a bad behaviour.
The Frozen Brooder
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, Feb 2016
This painting is dealing with a state of over-things an idea that one wants to realize while he's frozen in inaction.
The figure in the painting is frozen in its position of "brooding" an egg that may or may not hatch and it's not clear what will come out of it if it does.
There is always the fear that our idea is not perfect yet and if we'll just think about it some more time it may improve. But this kind of lingering may freeze us from action and the idea will never come to light.
There is a crucial balance between contemplating on an idea and moving into action in order to realize it.
Bennu
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, February 2016
The Bennu is an ancient Egyptian deity linked with the sun, creation, and rebirth.
According to Egyptian mythology, the Bennu was a self-created being said to have played a role in the creation of the world.
We always need to remember that we're not just helpless individuals that merely impacted by circumstances and external events, but that each one of us is also a "Bennu" in the sense that we can self-create who we are and what we'll do in our life. We also poses the power to create the world around us and influence creation of other people life.
The Wizard
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, February 2016
In each of us there is a wizard that can make great wanders if we'll just look for him...
Imagination
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, March 2016
Imagination works in two simultaneous directions. It enables one to create wonderful things but in the same time it makes its owner more deep, interesting and a wonderful human being by himself...
So use your imagination as frequently as possible :-)
Swallow Spirit
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, March 2016
If your spirit is free and your mind is open; there is nothing beyond your reach, same as the free swallow reaches the most far places across the globe...
Sketcher
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, April 2016
The artist's hand that making the sketch never knows what wonders his soul may create.
The Orbuculum
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, April 2016
Even if the future can't be really seen in the orbuculum (crystal ball), it's surely lies in our hands...
Bipolar
Oil on canvas, 60x50 cm, April 2016
Boat Builder
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, May 2016
A boat that is built with care has more chances to float and serve well its owner than one that is built in neglect and indifference.
So make sure making whatever you do with care so your "boats won't sink"...
Overwhelmed Rooster
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, May 2016
Many times the powerful forgetting that they too can fail...
Even the most powerful can be sometimes subdued by greater power or unexpected event that will overwhelm them.
Real power is to remember that we're all vulnerable no matter how strong we are.
The Scent
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, June 2016
Same as a keen scent can be a blessing or a curse, every outstanding ability or talent can be good/bad for its owner according to the circumstances...
Disillusioned
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, June 2016
To give up on an illusion can be a painful process but it's the only way to accept the reality and progress within it instead of being stuck in a dream world...