|
The first five books of the Bible, the Torah, are divided into fifty-four portions , or parshot (sing. parsha). Each week of the Jewish calendar, starting with the first Shabbat after Simchat Torah, a portion is read and studied; every Jewish congregation in the world is reading from the same parsha that week. The Torah is thus read in sequence through the year. Special portions are inserted at holidays.
Each portion has a name, which is the first “major” word that occurs in the passage (thus not “the”, “and”, or “The Lord said to Moses”)
This project undertakes to provide an illustration of an excerpt from each of the parshot. I have begun to post them even though I am far from done. They make wonderful Bar Mitzvah or wedding gifts. If there is one you would wish to see which is not yet posted please email me and I will try to fulfill requests.
The word “collagraph” comes from “collage”. A plate is built up (collaged) by gluing paper, fabric, etc, to a stiff backing. Acrylic gel and media can be used, carved into, etc. I have also used foamcore board which I cut into and peel back. The final collage is sealed with acrylic and printed on an etching press. For my prints, the plates are inked in black intaglio, and then hand-colored with watercolor. There are many other methods for printing from collagraph plates. Several impressions can be made before the plate begins to deteriorate, depending on the materials used. In the case of this series, each will be slightly different because of the hand-painting.
|