A: The CJM is important to me because it’s one of the only places in the Bay Area that explores art through a Jewish lens. The exhibitions I have participated in have prompted me to examine how Judaism connects to my art. For example, I have long been interested in abstract paintings' relationship to time—but since participating in the California Jewish Open I’ve made new connections on how this pertains to Jewish thought. I’m grateful that The CJM prompts this kind of dialogue and inquiry.

I also admire the ways that The Museum has really been part of the Bay Area art community. The CJM has given many contemporary artists their first opportunity to show in museum exhibitions and/or their first museum solo show—that’s so important to an artist's career development.

A: I’m working on a series of rectangular paintings. After several years of working almost exclusively on shaped paintings, working on rectangular canvases feels surprisingly refreshing and free. Compositionally, I’m exploring mirroring—creating images that split down the middle and simultaneously branch outwards and pull inwards. The paintings are very layered and have been built up over years.

I’m also working on a group of small shaped reliefs. I start by using them as palettes while working on the larger rectangular paintings. This allows me to unselfconsciously build up the surface, and I love how the piece is absorbed into the daily rhythms of my studio. Once the relief gets thick with paint, I create lines and brush marks over the initial underpainting that respond to the shape of the panel and push up against aspects of the relief. With these I’m completely giving in to my compulsion to keep working a painting—they are very chunky and painterly.

A: I’m such a visual person, I get inspired just by looking. An interesting color, the shape of a shadow, the curve of a building—I take a lot of photos to record things that grab my attention, and sometimes they make their way into my paintings. Nothing makes me want to paint more than going to an art museum. I love art history and looking at paintings. I also love looking at all types of design—wallpaper, textiles, furniture, typeface, and graphics—and thinking about how these relate to painting. Currently I’m obsessed with the Memphis design movement. This specific piece of furniture has been a touchstone for the rectangular paintings I’m working on. 

I'm also really inspired by watching my kids paint and draw. Their freedom and spontaneity is pretty awesome to watch.

A: It’s tough to choose just one because I really love to eat and cook. It would have to be my mom’s chicken soup with matzah balls. How could it not be? She makes it every year for Passover but both my daughter and I crave it year-round. The broth is rich yet light- It’s the ultimate comfort food. I'm a pretty capable cook, but this soup always tastes better when my mom makes it.

A good New York bagel with cream cheese and lox comes in as a strong second. Both of my parents are from the Bronx and throughout my childhood in San Jose, finding a proper bagel was a constant challenge. Every weekend my dad would pick up fresh bagels and every weekend my parents would complain that they weren’t as good as in New York. Luckily the bagel scene in the Bay Area has expanded since I was a kid, but the search for the perfect bagel is hardwired into my DNA.