Ella Gottenberg
ART GALLERY
The Time Is Now
The Time Watcher
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, November 2014
This painting is talking about the human relationship with the Time concept.
Sometimes we let ourselves be managed by the time; we're in a constant hurry to make it to the next thing while missing what we have in front of us or we are just waiting for the "right" moment, the "right" time to do something or be something and this moment/time may never come or come too late...
The figure in the painting concentrated on its small insignificant watch as if waiting for it to give instructions for what next while ignoring its surroundings and maybe missing opportunities and life itself...
One Of His Kind
Oil on canvas, 50x70 cm, November 2014
This painting is dealing with uniqueness.
It can be great to be different/unique; sometimes you feel more special and even privileged than others but uniqueness can also come with a price of feeling lonely and misunderstood...
The question is also if we are really alone in our uniqueness or there may be others like us that feeling the same but we can't see them either because they not around us or because they're hiding their true colors... that's why the painting's title is not "one of the kind" but " one of HIS kind" which gives hope/indication that there may have been/be others as this unique creature.
The Ring
Oil on canvas, 50x70 cm, November 2014
This painting is talking about the symbolic meaning people give to certain objects.
It can be a jewel, a sports car, a newest smartphone etc.
Such material things can make one feel more important, beautiful, smart and even give a sense of belonging.
But are those things really make the difference and people couldn't feel the same without them?
What does the ring makes the figure in the painting to feel? More beautiful? More important? Or it's just wandering if it's really something she needs?
Father and Son
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, November 2014
This painting is an homage to fatherhood.
In art's history we can find many mother & child paintings and indeed in the past the mother was the most dominant parent in child's life and sometimes even the only one.
However, in the modern times fathers take significant part in children lives and parenthood in general so this painting is tribute to them.
The Enlightenment
Oil on canvas, 50x70 cm, November 2014
This painting is talking about spiritual enlightenment.
The burning pipe symbolizing the spiritual enlightenment that the figure is going through.
The pipe is also indicating that spiritual enlightenment/growth can be triggered by the most unexpected things/people/places/events as its connection to the figure don't seem to be very natural...
The Merry Hat
Oil on canvas, 50x70 cm, November 2014
This funny painting is talking about the source of happiness.
Does the figure happy because of its merry hat or the figure just called Merry and this is its hat so the reason for the happiness is different?
People have the tendency to link between external conditions to their happiness while the decision and the ability to be happy can come from within regardless to external circumstances...
Have an happy week every week :-)
The Secret
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, December 2014
This painting is talking about the sense of holding a secret that in case it's positive, it can give a feeling as if we carry a little treasure.
The Snake Charmer
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, December 2014
This painting is dealing with fear management.
In order to deal with a fear one needs to get closer to it, get well acquainted with it, understand its root cause and logic same as the snake charmer get to know the snake in order to control it.
The figure of the snake charmer represents that deep understanding of the fear-snake to the extent it almost becomes the snake; only this way he can dominate and control its fear-snake.
Gemini
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, December 2014
This painting is talking about the connection between people and human relationships.
We are all different but similar, unique yet alike, we separate yet connected.
We are not perfect but in our imperfection we complete each other which makes us complete.
Dressed For Success
Oil on canvas, 50x70 cm, November 2014
This painting is talking about the effect clothes have on us.
The clothes the figure wearing seems to take over her personality till her face becomes similar to her clothing.
Wearing certain clothes can help us project the right message and give us confidants but clothes may also harm us by projecting the wrong message or by preventing us to show our real personality - to be our true self...
The Seed
Oil on canvas, 50x70 cm, December 2014
This painting is talking about decision making.
The figure is holding a seed and wandering if it's worthwhile to plant it or not.
Will it grow to be a good/beautiful plant or it will grow to be a bad weed that may cause damage to the rest of the garden? Does it worth the effort of planting?
Also, the figure doesn't look like a gardener so maybe it doesn't have the skills to make this seed grow which adds additional risk to the task.
This scenario representing people's contemplation of investments or effort that should be put into something that may bring desirable results or will end with spent resources and possible damage especially if it's something new to them in which they have little experience if any.
But eventually if the seed will not be planted then all the figure will be left with is the seed same as if we won't try, we'll never know...
The Big Heart
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, December 2014
This painting is dealing with stereotypes and labelling.
People sometimes tend to associate weakness of character with goodness of heart while strong people tend to be considered as cold or heartless.
But are those assumptions true?
Can a strong person be also kind, sensitive and caring?
Is it possible that a person has grown to be tough and strong in order to protect his/hers sensitivity and goodness of heart which exposed him/her to hurt?
What is the probability of a strong person to be there for us in our weakest moments while a weak person will not be able to cope with the situation and abandon us in our hour of need?
The figure in the painting projects powerful character but in the same time it has an enormous heart which it protects with its strong shielded arms.
So don't be too quick to judge and choose your friends wisely...
The Stone Gown
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, December 2014
This painting is talking about a state of disability/constraint from acting or moving forward that people sometimes feel.
The figure is dressed in a gown made of stone that clearly limits her movements and ability to get where she wants/needs to be.
But how the figure ended up in this gown in the 1st place? Was she forced to wear it or it was her choice?
Can the figure shed this gown and let itself free? Is the figure holding out to that gown because it doesn't understand that it can be removed or it's because it has something to gain by wearing it?
What "stone gowns" people sometimes wear/carry on themselves that prevents them from moving forward and achieving their goals? Lack of belief in themselves? Fear from change? Convenience of well known routine?
A stone gown is eventually an object that we have control of and can be removed if only we wish it to be.
The Burden
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, December 2014
This painting is talking about burdens that people sometimes carry.
There are many types of emotional burdens as guilt, shame about something we done or was done to us etc. and material burdens as debts, tasks we need to do but don't want to etc.
The figure in the painting carries a symbolic burden that pushes it to its knees while the figure reaching to some kind of a stick maybe in hope that it will help it to rise or provide support while carrying the burden.
But can the stick really help the figure? Is it long and strong enough to do so?
Should the figure look for external elements to help it carry the load or it's more efficient to look up and see how it can get rid of the burden by dealing with it directly?
Should people look for workarounds and different means to help them carry their burden or maybe it's better to find a way to make the burden disappear or lose its weight and power over us?
Equilibrium
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, December 2014
This painting symbolizing equilibrium-balance.
Once inner balance is achieved, one can be in balance with his/hers surrounding and the world.
Happy new year everyone and may the new year bring balance and positive energy into your life!
The Stars Gazer
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, January 2015
This painting is talking about the dreamers and optimists in our world.
The light is always there if only we'll look for it so even if surrounded by darkness; the dreamers and optimists will not despair but see the light and find their way out from the darkness.
Madam butterfly
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, January 2015
This painting is homage to the modern woman.
Unlike Madam butterfly in the opera; this figure representing an independent woman that possesses many qualities and abilities as many women today.
She may be a carrier woman, a wife, a mother etc.
She's moving between the different areas and tasks in life as gracefully as a butterfly between the flowers.
She can be tough to cope with the numerous responsibilities and difficulties in life and yet remain as gentle and delicate as the butterfly.
As the character in the opera; she can be romantic, full of love and hope and as such requires loving, gentle and trustworthy treatment.
Fairy Tail
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, January 2015
Because fairy tails are not always as we expected...
The Guardian
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, January 2015
This painting represents the higher spirits that guard the world as a whole and the individual human beings and can be sometimes sad or despaired over the world's and human's actions and suffering.
The Dance Of Life
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, January 2015
This painting represents the different transitions in human life.
Sometimes our flags are up sometimes down, sometimes we are happy sometimes sad.
However the fact that some things in life are down doesn't mean that everything is not going well, some parts of life may be successful and we shouldn't forget that.
Also, not all that is bad is actually so... there may be some good in it even if it's hard to see it from where we stand. Same for the good... that's why the figure holding "flags" that are not completely white nor black.
All of what happening to us is one dance of life that we are making and the most important thing is to continue dancing.
The Delivery
Oil on canvas, 50x70 cm, January 2015
This painting is talking about things that enter our life and alter them.
It can be arrival of a baby, event or any other thing that comes expectedly or unexpectedly.
We can be ready for it, think we ready or completely unprepared.
We can consider this "delivery" as positive or negative but in any case such change adds substance to our life, makes us learn, coupe and eventually grow.
And as a child similar to his parents even if sometimes they don't think so, other things entering our life are not a matter of chance...
The Blinders
Oil on canvas, 50x70 cm, January 2015
This painting is talking about a person that avoids from seeing the obvious and the truth.
As blinders on a horse limiting his sight so he won't be distracted or frightened by what's around him, this figure's hat covers her eyes and limits her vision.
Such state can make things easier for a person because if one can't see problems/issues then there is no need to invest efforts, means and energy to handle them.
However such state has also an opposite effect; same as the figure's eyes hidden from seeing what around her, others around her can't see part of her face and particularly the eyes that are key for making human contact.
Same as the figure becomes almost assimilated in her background, a person that avoids from seeing the situation and the truth can become with time "invisible" to others that will avoid turning to him/her for sharing issues, asking for advice and help.
The Moon Man
Oil on canvas, 70x80 cm, January 2015
This painting talking about becoming the object of one's study and admiration.
As the figure in the painting became similar in appearance to the object it's gazing at - the moon; people sometimes become similar to the things they constantly observe and admire as certain behaviours, characters, appearance etc.
It can be a positive if people make themselves better and grow in the process but it also can be negative if people adopt ill elements/behaviours or lose their own unique identity in the process...
Compensation
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, January 2015
Because sometimes when you lacking something; the compensation is right under your nose...
The Fool
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, February 2015
Sometimes what we see is exactly as it is same as the fool can sometimes be just a fool...
The Messengers
Oil on canvas, 70x80 cm, February 2015
People tend to be unkind towards a messenger barring bad news even if he's not the root cause of the message and this information is essential (as said "don't kill the messenger...").
This painting presenting kind of bound between the bright messenger carrying good news and the dark carrying the bad.
The bright messenger is shielding the dark one to protect him from possible harmful reaction towards the bad news as they both are connected; good news sometimes depend on the resolution of the bad ones and so their faith is one.
Sacked
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, February 2015
This painting talking about a human tendency to become introverted and hide once hurt (sacked).
The hurt and furious figure in the painting hiding in a sack (sacked) is representing that state.
But this figure is also projecting power and energy that can be redirected from its anger and hurt state to more positive use of "getting out of the sack" in order to improve its wellbeing and heal.
The energy is always there and it's always our decision how to use it...
The Labyrinthine
Oil on canvas, 70x80 cm, February 2015
A complicated-labyrinthine soul and personality that combined out of many parts and pieces can sometimes signify a difficult person but it also can signify a whole, interesting and beautiful human being.
The Observer
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, February 2015
Sometimes the observer has much more to conceal than the objects of his observation.
So always keep in mind that there may be a different/another reason for the person criticising you apart of pointing out your faults for improvement...
The Bud
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, February 2015
This painting is talking about friendships and relationships.
As the bud can turn to be a beautiful flower if will be taking care of and nurtured; friendship quality and continuance is dependent on the same elements and investment (bud is also a nick name for a friend...).
Neglect however will make the bud and friendship to wither...
The Lighter
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, February 2015
This painting is talking about the kind of person who brings light into our life.
This person may be the one who brightens the room with positive energies and laughter and/or the one who will always make us feel better when we're down - lights our life with his/hers light.
Such person possess an inner light that generously shines over his surrounding without expectation of any reward and normally while others see this person as a lighter; he/she don't see themselves as such because the light can't see its own light...
If you know such people then cherish them, be their lighter at time of need and don't dim their light as you and others may need it once again one day...
The Innocent
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, March 2015
This painting is dealing with human perception on the appearance of innocence.
Many times people expect an innocent person whether by nature or wrongly accused to appear as weak, shy or fragile victim. Such types many times automatically considered to be clear of evil/guilt.
But when we come to judge between the strong and the weak can it be that the strong is the innocent one?
The figure in the painting clearly projects strong character and even anger on the unjust accusation.
She's standing with her arms and palms open as if to show that she has nothing to hide and her dress is bright suggesting that she's clean from any wrong doing.
So it's always good to remember that appearances and our perception of people can be misleading...
The Innovator
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, March 2015
This painting representing innovators and creative people which innovations are not always accepted and sometimes even mocked.
The figure in the painting wears an innovative and strange looking hat for all to see even if it's being ridiculed and laughed at same as innovators that believe in their innovation offer it again and again even if it's being constantly rejected with hope that one day someone will say YES.
Those people posses a wonderful inner strength to be and do what they believe in no matter how hard it is.
But history shows that those are the people that succeed and make their mark on the world so it's worthwhile to follow their example...
The Fist
Oil on canvas, 40x50 cm, March 2015
This painting is talking about the inner strength to make a stand.
The woman figure in the painting is simply dressed, barefoot and doesn't seem very strong, however she's raising her fist and makes her powerful stand against something/someone.
In general women considered in society as weakest sex but that refers to physiology and not to the power of character or will in which many times women exceed men.
So the message of this painting is that no matter how small, physically weak or low in rank human can be; each one of us has the inner strength to stand for what is right for him/her or others and fight for it.
The Pawky
Oil on canvas, 70x80 cm, March 2015
The Pan looking like figure in the painting representing a cunning individual who's able to use humor to convince others to do something they didn't want to do.
Someone that people can be angry at as a result of his/hers deeds but never for long due to his/hers charm.
The Fan
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, March 2015
This painting is talking about human difficulty to accept what life brings and fixed point of views that prevent seeing the good.
The figure in the painting with the suffering expression is holding a fan. Normally fan's used for cooling but the one in the painting seems to be hot so waiving it will spread heat. So is it a bad fan?
The surrounding of the figure looks cold so actually the fan serves the figure well by keeping it warm even if the displeased figure fails to see it.
Many times people tend to give negative interpretations to things happening to them while they actually can be positive and serve them well even if it's hard to see it at first.
For example; being fired or not to be accepted to some work place may lead to a better job/opportunity. Ending relationship may bring a better one or/and teach us something important about ourselves and our true needs etc.
A positive perspective on life will always give us hope and energy to continue no matter how hard things may be at present.
The Veil
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, March 2015
This painting is talking about what we conceal and what we reveal for the world to see and how it affects our appearance.
Normally people tend to conceal their faults or what they consider as faults whether internal or external by applying certain behaviour, clothes or makeup which considered fair or pleasant to the eye and ear.
However; many times the result may be the loss of character, uniqueness or individuality same as the figure in the painting that may seem fair but in the same time it's hard to grasp its character and nature while it merges with its veil and other ornaments.
The Scholar
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, April 2015
This painting is dealing with how people react to figures of knowledge and authority.
Many times people tend to follow blindly people with certain academic/political/spiritual status whether they're actually posses it or just appear as such.
The figure in the painting stands in a knowledgeable posture as if lecturing about something and its clothes suggest its apparent high position.
However; the figure's face projects self confidence and satisfaction but not necessarily intelligence...
The pink interior of its gown and short sleeves are a bit funny and childish which suggesting the figure's true inner character.
So this painting suggests that we should evaluate carefully who we follow or to whom we believe and even if this authority figure is actually genuine its teachings may not be good for us even if they're good for others.
We need to remember that our internal judgement is a wonderful tool that is there to serve us and many times that little voice inside our minds is actually right no matter what experts say...
The Planner
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, April 2015
The plan can be good or it can be bad, all depends on the planner's character and intentions...
The Fisherman
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, April 2015
This painting is talking about human's search.
Most of the people are constantly searching/fishing for different things. It can be happiness, love, money, knowledge etc.
The questions that are rising for every such search are:
1. Do we have the proper tools to achieve what we are looking for - the right hook?
2. Are we in the right location where we actually can find what we're looking for?
3. Should we do something else than what we are doing to find it? - the figure is sitting and waiting for something to be caught but maybe movement will bring better results?
4. If what we'll eventually find/fish is what we actually expected...
There are no clear answers for how to find what our hearts desire but only questions that are good to keep in mind while we're making our quest.
The Sparrow
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, April 2015
This painting is dealing with the sense of self worth.
Humans self worth is in their spirit and character no matter what they do for a living, how much money they have, what academic degrees they've obtained or any other elements that people consider as measurement for value and status in the society.
Same as seemingly insignificant and little sparrow that normally no one notice or give second thought to, can have self value and power of the spirit regardless to how others see it.
The Stone Carrier
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, April 2015
This painting is dealing with a situation of carrying a heavy load of responsibility or task.
Many times while being overloaded with heavy tasks or responsibilities; people just want to drop it all and feel light/free.
However; if the "stone" is dropped in the wrong place and/or time, it may in fact fall on the carrier's foot and cripple him/her or smash something important beyond repair.
So;
The carrier may be wise to carry the load till the right time/place will come in order to drop it.
Or, continue to carry it and with time one's ability to carry the load will improve to the extent that he/she will no longer fill it and in fact improve the ability to handle even heavier loads and achieve more in life same as carrying a heavy stone for a long time will make the carrier's muscle mass to grow and make him/her stronger...
Eagle Spirit
Oil on canvas, 60x70 cm, May 2015
This painting is dedicated to all the people with strong character, courage and internal strength that in the same time are elegant and honorable in their being and behaviour as the eagle.
The Pin
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, May 2015
Sometimes something very small as a kind word, apology or a pin can make it all better and prevent from things falling apart...
The Wings
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, May 2015
This painting is dealing with humans self worth in regards to their abilities versa their possessions.
The figure in the painting is starring at a pair of small wings located on its back.
Does the fact that the figure has wings indicates that it can fly or maybe the wings are much too small to hold it in the air?
When someone has a degree in something or has some special tool in his/her possession, does it also means that the ability to realize it also in place?
Sometimes people strive to obtain things that they have no talent to operate from considerations of status or positioning but those normally don't bring them happiness but quite the opposite when they getting into a state of pretence and coverup in order to hide their weaknesses.
Isn't it better to look for things that are close to our heart and for which we have talents and through that feel complete and satisfied from our work and achievements?
The Waiter
Oil on canvas, 50x60 cm, May 2015
This painting is talking about human's passive state.
Sometimes people are passively waiting for conditions to change or for something to happen that will make their life better or so they'll be able to move ahead.
The state of the passive waiter can bring misery by its own and keep the person in hopeless and powerless existence.
People always have the ability to act in order to change things even if they're not sure that the action will bring the desired results. Every action no matter how small is a progress even as a form of a lesson what not to do or what next steps to take.
Don't stay to waiting tables, move on... :-)