I got into the oil business

And did it do me good! Oil painting, good old stuff.
No more papers, framing, cutting glass, just sometimes stretching canvas, and usually I find them on the street or a friend gives me some.
Soetimes it's as fast as a painting a day... and then I get stuck with one painting that doesn't want to sort itself out for a while. 
30 weeks onto the protest that shook Israel, we seem to be stuck as well. But we are determined and will not give up. 

Mostly small works; all between30x40 to 50x70 cm

The Quest For Democracy

 

Oil on canvas, 29x43 cm
scene from the road on the way to the first protest in Tel Aviv this year

That we have no democracy here is well known. Israel is a complicated case and I will not get into the details of it now. lately the new troublesome government dropped quite a game changer into the arena, and the bitterly surprised people are rushing to the streets for over three months now, before the flood destroys whatever is left.
They want to destroy the very little bits of sanity we still have, shift the power balance, ruin our economy and freedom (yes, freedom for Jews only so far, so maybe now, I hope, this will change).
I am doing my share a little bit, carrying signs against the occupation and for a better legislation, a constitution with human rights and equality for all. Nobody knows how this will end. Our nerves are stretched, it's filtering into our dreams and daily lives, while violence escalates on all fronts, inside and outside, and the Palestinians as always suffer the most. 
I have been painting the rallies and marches in this period, as well as "escapades" into another time and place. New York seems so far away now, though I am always invited, but how can I leave now? My heart will surely stay here as long as it's not over. 
I hope we'll rise once again, this time with a better understanding what "democracy" means, including the Arabs as equal citizens, freedom to Palestine, possible peace, but is it possible even within our own nation? With such a huge divide and hatred between right and left, orthodox and secular?

Oil on canvas, 35x50 cm

Oil on canvas, 40x50 cm

Oil on canvas, 30x40 cm

Even this little oil, a scene from America, somehow corresponds with the feelings of many Israelis nowadays. 
But somewhere, somewhen, waiting for me, this exists.

Oil on panel, 17x27 cm