At the age of three Robin Esterkin asked for help in painting her bed purple. She was already in love with color and that passion continues to find expression with a paintbrush, now applied to paper, canvas and clay.

In the late 1960’s Robin studied fine art at UC Berkeley. Her interest in words and the power of language led to a BA degree in English Literature with a minor in Art. She moved to Paris, then Los Angeles, Toronto and finally, Portland, and along the way she continued her art explorations at a variety of institutions, including Otis Art Institute, Marylhurst University and Portland State University.

At present Robin paints primarily in acrylics and watercolors and creates mixed media work and monotypes. She also enjoys making ceramic vessels. Robin is a founding member of ORA, Northwest Jewish Artists. A sampling of her artwork can be seen on the ORA website: www.northwestjewishartists.org.

Contact the artist: www.northwestjewishartists.org

Laura Joy Fendel has designed commissioned fabric wall art for over 30 years. In 2000 her art was featured in The Home and Garden Magazine of the Oregonian. Her love for interior design inspired a career change from elementary educator, when she retired after 30 years in Beaverton Schools. She authored two books on self-esteem and was acquisition editor for Harper Collins. In 1990 she and other teachers visited Japan, observing schools in three cities. Laura was honored with the prestigious Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching.

She has owned her franchise of INTERIORS by Decorating Den since 1999, located in North West Portland at Thurman Street Studios. With her love of fabric, texture and unique combinations of home decor she designs rooms with character and individuality.

Contact the artist: jazzfens@comcast.net, www.northwestjewishartists.org

Diane Fredgant

Art extends
the flow of life.

My goal: to be visionary
  not of future
  but present.

The Torah and its stories
our stories and dreams
color that makes you say My God.

It’s what I do
I have to do it
I want to do it.

Prayer plants the seed
of silk;
I hear images.

Language and music
find form and color.
The prayer is fluid;
silks send the message
just like sound.
The colors find their own harmony;
I’m the conductor.

My delight:
something
where before nothing.
But there was something,
just in senseless form:
   an idea
   a spark
   the desire.

Commissions are a conversation
I have to translate.
Helping a person
express her spirituality
is an honor;
wrapping her
in love and light
as she prays
is a gift
               as much to me as to her.