Spiritus

 

     When you come into the sanctuary you’ll see a painting on the wall to the left of the ark. It’s titled Spiritus. This is how it came about. Twenty years ago, I was in the midst of a personal tragedy. I buried myself in work – a full time psychology practice and directing a theater group.

     Then I began to doodle and draw, the first time since grade school, and soon turned to painting. I ended my practice, abandoned the theater group, rented a studio and began to paint full-time.

     I knew what I wanted to paint – a Jewish circus. As ringmaster I could control everything. Would that life were the same.  I strove for humor and joyful images because that kept my depression at bay and transported me to another world. From there I went to stories from the Torah and the Torah itself.

     Spiritus literally means breath and creating the painting was a breath of life for me. I am happy and grateful to share it with my fellow congregants.

     There is a Hasidic belief that one can thank the Lord for life and its bounties by singing, dancing and creating. L’Chaim. Spiritus comes out of a need to celebrate life itself no matter what, and our people.

 

Note:

Paul has work in the permanent collections of the International Museum of Folk Art (in Santa Fe), the American Visionary Art Museum (in Baltimore) and The Sanskriti Foundation (in Delhi, India).  He welcomes visitors to his Pittsfield studio. 413-499-3928 or you can browse his website:  www.paulgraubard.com