Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Meet Art collector: Heidi Seidman

A short story about her painting:

Heidi Seidman is a registered holistic nutritionist, yogi and mom to 3 young children. She is passionate about healthy foods, cooking and baking. She is the creator of Project Lunchbox. Project Lunchbox is a company committed to educating parents and families about the importance of feeding their children healthful, nutrient dense lunches at school, summer camp, daycare and at home. The company’s goal is to help create awareness to how even small changes to a child's diet can have a significant impact on their growth, development, moods, blood sugar balancing and behavior. Heidi also does private consultations and menu planning for children, families and seniors.

Our paths crossed 6 years ago at the school both her kids and mine attend. My oldest brother passed away from cancer that year and I was going through tough times. I was surrounded by friends but her friendliness, warmth and openness were quite magical and we found ourselves connecting and starting a new friendship.
A few years later, while choosing the women that would inspire me to paint for my first solo art exhibition, I knew Heidi would be one of them. Now, “Embracing Differences” is hanging at Heidi’s cozy home, among beautiful works of art, toys, children playing, friends and family.

Heidi Seidman testimonial: Jazmin continues to amaze me with her expression of beauty through her art. The paintings she creates feel like they each tell a story that is so unique and diverse and express such emotion and beauty!
“Embracing Differences”  was one the favorite paintings at the exhibition “Honouring Women”. The exhibition took place in 2013, at the Sidney and Gertrude Zack Gallery in Vancouver. The artwork included two women from opposite backgrounds celebrating and embracing their differences encircled by beautiful flowers and colours. I wanted to challenge myself and see what could come up from having two completely different women together in the same canvas. This piece was the last one I painted for the show out of 12 artworks! While working in this last piece, I felt free, spontaneous, happy and innovative. I had lots of fun!

Heidi, your friendship, your great sense of humor, your amazing listening and your love for nature, yoga and good food are an inspiration to me. I am forever grateful.
Thank you for choosing this painting to decorate your beautiful home. A work that came to life from who you are, your essence and your beauty. 
  "The stories you believe to be true are the ones your life will become" with love, Jazmin

Monday, February 15, 2016

Meet Anat Barnea

A short story about her painting:

I have known Anat for the lasts 25 years! When I was 21 years old, I got accepted to study Graphic Design at the Hadassah-Wizo School Of Arts in Haifa, Israel. It was 1991 and I was fairly new to the country. My Hebrew was still pretty weak and I hardly knew people. The first weeks at school were very hard not only because I was new to Israel, but the studies were quite competitive, most of the students were older than me and I felt very homesick. Luckily I met Gal. Gal became my “soul friend”. She and I became friends from the moment we put eyes on each other in the first weeks of school. The magic was instant and we have been best friends since then!
During one of my visits to her parents’ home I met Anat, her younger sister. She was then finishing high school and heading to the Israeli army. Since then, I have seen Anat growing from a young teenager to becoming an amazing wife, mother and professional. She is a very special woman. Anat is an experienced therapist for children and youth with special needs. She incorporates interaction with animals achieving outstanding results specially in populations at risk. After working for a few years as a therapist, Anat opened a unique farm in a unique location, where she offers individual and small groups’ therapies with animals, workshops for professional therapists &  for parents, camps for children and more. The farm is open for the enjoyment of the public over the weekends.
My friend Gal wanted to give something special to Anat to mark her journey into motherhood. She called me from Israel and commissioned a painting for Anat’s new home. Gal wanted to include Anat’s 3 daughters, her pets and lots and lots of colours. The painting's goal was to be a representation of the joyful and loving home Anat and her husband Amitai were building together.

Anat’s testimonial: “Your painting brightens up our living room and warms up our hearts! The artwork is a whimsical reflection of our daughters, our pets and everything we love. Your painting adds up a feeling of happiness and joy, making our home more “homey” and cozy!”
On one of my trips to Israel, I had the chance to visit Anat and to finally see the painting at her new home. I was amazed by the beauty of the house. It was a home filled with colours, textures, unique accessories, 3 little girls, music and cute cats and dogs walking freely around the girls. It was definitely a happy home! And the painting fitted perfectly among all this joy!

Thank you Anat and Amitai for having my work in the heart and center of your home. It is a real honor! In this way I feel closer to you and I am very proud of the work of love and great family values you are investing into your daughters every single day. Thank you Gal for being my best friend and for commissioning this painting for your sister!
"The stories you believe to be true are the ones your life will become" with love, Jazmin
                                                                                Visit my website

 

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Meet Dr. Dina Mintz

A short story about her painting.

Dr. Dina Mintz is a family dentist in Vancouver. Her cozy and beautiful office is located at the Oakridge mall. Dr. Mintz’s is a well-known and respected dentist in this city. Many families, including mine, come to her office every day. Every time I walk in her office, the friendly feeling and warmth begins right at the first HELLO! Her staff works together like a "sisterhood" of professionalism and friendship. I have known Dr. Mintz since 2004 when my family and I first came to Vancouver. She is not only my dentist but also a good friend.
In 2006, I was working on a campaign called “Color & Hope”, an art fundraiser to collect and send money to both my father and brother fighting cancer in Israel. Dr. Mintz commissioned a painting for her office in order to support my initiative. Dr. Mintz invited me to explore the concept of the “Tooth Fairy” tale and granted me all the freedom. I know she trusted my creativity. She knew that my work will look fantastic at her office. This freedom gave me the inspiration to paint “The Tooth Fairy”, a painting that has been in display at Dr. Mintz for the past 8 years.

Dr. Mintz’s testimonial:Our Tooth Fairy makes everyone smile. Not a day goes by that one of our patients or friends make a comment about how magical she looks! Thank you Jazmin for this beautiful Fairy! We are lucky that we get to enjoy and see her every day and besides she is always…smiling back at us!!
                                                                   Visit My Website
 
The campaign “Color & Hope” was a success. I could send money to my family to help them through hard times. Dr. Mintz was one of the supporters, and for this I will be forever thankful!
Thank you Dr. Dina Mintz for letting me create such cheerful Tooth Fairy and decorate your office! This fairy definitely reflects who you are! 
"The stories you believe to be true are the ones your life will become" with love, Jazmin

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

How I went from a family trip to Maui to painting Hawaiian women?

It was August 2013. We were enjoying one of the last summer evenings in Vancouver, when my husband panicked. He told me: what will we do this coming December? You know how hard is to spend the winter break at home… so he went on-line and bought us tickets to Maui! We all needed a vacation. I had worked for months on my first solo Art Exhibition “Honouring Women” which I launched on October 2013. Of course my husband and kids needed a vacation too. A few months later we were enjoying paradise! At first, I was just happy to enjoy the sunshine and warmth and of course watching my boys so happy it made the trip worth doing.
 
Family time!  December 2013

While visiting the Island, I reconnected with a childhood friend, Tamara Catz, who has been living in Maui for the last 20 years. Both full-time mothers, artists and entrepreneurs, we decided to collaborate on a creative project. This project brought me to visit the Island again. This time I came on my own. On that visit, I bonded and fell in love with Maui culture, arts and dance and of course its nature.  My vision was to create a bold, colorful and powerful show that would focus on women’s stories while giving back to the Island. This deepened understanding prompted “Hawaiian Sisterhood”, a collaborative exhibition with Tamara Catz and Women Helping Women, where the vitality of storytelling united with rich visuals, courageous hearts, sisterhood and focused community alliance.

Lunch with the staff of Women Helping Women, a local organization, May 2014
 
The opening evening of “Hawaiian Sisterhood” at Tamara Catz was beautiful, filled with friends, local yummy food and Hula dance. This initiative was featured in various media local channels.

           With Tamara Catz on the opening night reception of "Hawaiian Sisterhood", October 2015
 
“Hawaiian Sisterhood” prompted an invitation to take part in “Celebration of Hawaii 2016” an exhibition at Viewpoints Art Gallery, in conjunction with an accomplished roster of artists from all of the local islands in the state.
 
 “Celebration of Hawaii 2016” launched on Saturday, January 23rd. I flew to Maui with my friend Sharon in order to attend the opening night reception. The reception was packed with artists, family, friends and collectors. Each artist got a beautiful LEI that helped identify artists from visitors. Joelle and Oliver Perz, the owners of the gallery are very supportive and professional. They did a spectacular job of getting a great selection of art work and organizing a beautiful opening. I feel very honored to be part of an outstanding collection of work of arts that celebrates the culture, landscapes, traditions and colors of Maui.
                                  With Joelle and Oliver Perz, Viewpoints Gallery, January 2016

                                Opening Night Reception, with beautiful Hula dancers, January 2016

And now? I have done everything I could to follow my dreams and intuition. I wrote this blog to narrate how a family trip turned into a career change for me. It was all unexpected and spontaneous. I believe that life is taking me to a place I haven’t planned and the only thing left is to enjoy the ride. I am certainly benefiting from the beauty and inspiration the Island has been offering me. My paintings depict joy and bright colors, all taken like a scene from paradise. Now, my paintings are waiting for the right buyer... and I am open and looking forward to the next invitation!

"The stories you believe to be true are the ones your life will become" with love, Jazmin