PAINTING • SCULPTURE • CERAMICS • PUBLISHING • WORKSHOPS
STANWOOD HOUSE
BEZALEL-LEVY: ARTIST COLLABORATION
American Scrolls
The idea of “American Scrolls” came out of our own experience. Returning to America afer many years, we did not know that we would be crossing the continent, and how often. We simply fell in love with the landscapes in the East and decided to try out a new style. We had been collaborating on mixed-media paintings on rice paper before, but the expanses we saw in America drew us toward a panoramic format. We made many visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other museums to visit the Oriental Art exhibits to study and enjoy. The Seattle Art Museum was first established with only a collection of Oriental art. We wanted to adapt some of the styles and formats of this tradition, though we have not always been orthodox in our approach. Finally, the places depicted are places that have meaning for us. CLICK ON THUMBNAIL FOR FULL IMAGE.
Clam Diggers, Bellingham Bay
15 x 51 in. photography and acrylics on linen mounted on birch (2012) private collection
Davis Slough III
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper, 27 x 73 (2013) collection Skagit Valley Hospital, Mount Vernon, WA
Haystack Rock, Oregon Coast
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper, 24 x 60 in. (2001) private collection
Oyster Pickers on the Hood Canal
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper, 12 x 72 in. (2005) collection Peninsula College, Pt. Townsend, WA
Lighthouse, Princess Louise Inlet, British Columbia
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper, 20 x 42 in. (2004) private collection
Princess Louise Inlet I
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper, 17 x 44 in. (2004) collection Malibu Camp
Swans and Freight Train
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper, 22 x 53 in. (2023) private collection
Ruby Beach, Olympic Peninsula
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper, 50 x 72 in. (2005) private collection
Seal Rock, Oregon Coast
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper, 22 x 72 in. (2004) private collection
Fishing on Lake Wenatchee
mixed media on rice paper mounted on linen on wood, 24 x 60 (2009) collection Snohomish County Courthouse
Potato Field II
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper on linen, 24 x 53 in. (2022) private collection
Triangle Cove, Camano Island
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper, 12 x 42 in. (2002) private collection
Johnson Farm in Winter
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper mounted on linen on hardboard, 13 x 48 in. (2006) private collection
Peach Blossoms, Saratoga Passage
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper on linen, 12 x 72 in. (2002)
Low Tide at False Bay, San Juan Island
photography and acrylics on paper mounted on birch, 28 x 59 in. (2016) collection Museum of Northwest Art
Oyster Catchers, Olympic Peninsula
mixed media with acrylics on linen mounted on birch, 11 x 44 in. (2013)
Sunset, Saratoga Passage
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper mounted on linen on hardboard, 16 x 72 in. (2006) private collection
Rain on the Skagit Flats
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper mounted on board, 16 x 64 in. (2005) private collection
Wild Turkeys
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper mounted on linen on hardboard, 16 x 50 in. (2006) private collection
Stillaguamish Sunset
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper mounted on linen on hardboard, 21 x 72 in. (2009) collection Arlington Hospital, Smokey Point, WA
Leque Island Preserve I
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper mounted on linen on panel, 22 x 52 in.
Snow Geese, Stillaguamish Watershed
water based oils on paper mounted on board, 16 x 72 in. (2007) collection Arlington, WA hospital
Snow Geese over Skagit Flats
photography and pastels on rice paper, 18 x 48 in. (2004) private collection
Farm Workers in a Field of Daffodils
mixed media with water based oils on paper mounted on hardboard, 16 x 72 in. (2007) private collection
Cascade Autumn III
pastels on Rives paper, 36 x 96 in. (2011) collection Providence Hospital, Everett, WA
Oasis – Palm Desert
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper mounted on linen on wood, 24 x 46 in. (2010)
Oasis – Thousand Palms
mixed media on rice paper mounted on linen on wood, 27 x 72 in. (2010) collection Aqua Soleil Hotel & Spa
Boatmen on the Gulf, Aripeka (2003), Florida
acrylics on rice paper, 12 x 42 in. (2006) private collection
Riverbed (Wenatchee River)
mixed-media on linen mounted on birch, 29 x 13 in. each panel, (2011) private collection
Skagit Triptych II
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper, 43 x 18 in. each panel (2007) collection Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
Olympic Triptych I
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper, 40 x 18 in. each panel (2004) private collection
Deception Pass I & II
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper, 60 x 24 each (2000) private collection
Cape Flattery Diptych
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper, 20 x 16 in. each panel (2001) private collection
Lincoln City, Oregon Coast
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper, 60 x 22 in. (2004) private collection
Cape Flattery (Western Tip of the 48 states)
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper, 60 x 24 in. (2013)
Snowfall, Stillaguamish River
mixed media with acrylics on rice paper, 44 x 22 in. (2006) private collection
Snowfall on the Skykomish
mixed media on rice paper mounted on linen on board, 43 x 20 in. (2004) collection Marysville, WA library
Wenatchee Riverside
mixed media on rice paper mounted on linen on board, 36 x 16 in. (2008) private collection
Diablo Canyon
mixed media on rice paper mounted on linen on board, 72 x 23 in. (2002) collection Skagit Valley Hospital, Riverbend Complex
Chinook Pass Vertical
mixed media on rice paper mounted on linen on board, 60 x 22 in. (2004) collection Whitman College
Water Lilies and Dragonfly – Abbotsford, BC
mixed media on rice paper mounted on linen on wood, 60 x 26 in. (2013)
Japanese Garden – Coos Bay, Oregon
mixed media on rice paper mounted on linen on board, 62 x 26 in. (2005)
Rosehips and Goldeneye Ducks – Seattle
mixed media on rice paper mounted on linen on board, 37 x 13 in. (2008) private collection
The Desert Floor – Thousand Palms
mixed media on rice paper mounted on linen on wood, 44 x 24 in. (2010)
Our Town (page 1 – Stanwood, page 2 – NYC, etc.)
We live in an historic house on Main Street at the end of the old brick road. “Our Town” is every town with its Main Street, its old timers and newcomers, and its unique ambience and history. Stanwood, Washington (population 8800) is growing and changing. These paintings are a work of preservation, as are the following pages depicting scenes from other towns we have lived in, including New York City. More paintings of NYC can be previewed on Chaim’s section of this website.
Bank Building
On the “old brick road” the First National Bank building was actually Stanwood’s second bank. Located on it was built in 1930. Acrylics on canvas, 19 x 24 in.
Hamilton Lumber II
The white building with its 1920’s architecture, houses the hardware store and the shed is the lumberyard. Acrylics on canvas, 18 x 26 in.
Patty at the Stanwood Cafe
Patty knows that one of us will always order the regular and the other one is not so consistent. Next time the toast should be more well done. Acrylics on canvas, 16 1/2 x 21 1/2 in.
Memorial Day at the Floyd
The Floyd Norgaard Center, a restored meeting hall from the late 1800’s, hosting a Memorial Day observance with the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Acrylics on canvas, 24 x 34 in.
Stanwood Hotel & Saloon
Built in 1894, the hotel has a rather raucous history as you might expect from what in reality was a frontier town.
The Sons of Norway
Established in 1914, this building was originally next door to our home and studio but was moved across the street to its present location.
Our Saviors Lutheran Church
Dedicated in 1894, it is still used today. The church name was changed from Stillaguamish Norwegian Lutheran Church to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Stanwood .
City Hall
Built in the 1930’s, this art deco building is being remodeled. The painting is in the collection of the city and hangs in the lobby.
Exterior Stanwood Cafe
Chaim was on Stanwood’s Planning Commission for a time and one of the longtime members stopped by Stanwood House with the retired fire chief and identified this diner as a one time drugstore.
Interior Hamilton Lumber Smokestack
Once part of the lumber mill, now a city landmark. The Lion’s Club hoists a lighting decoration for each season atop the stack. The tube is attached to a ring outside which lifts a man to the top.
Viking Self-Service Laundry
More retro than historic, this laundromat is located on the other side of town. Everything is changing and when it’s gone it will be historic.
Drummers Practicing for the Parade, Catskill, NY
mixed-media with water based oils on paper, 12 x 26 in. (1998) private collection
St. Patrick’s Day Parade from the Steps of the Metropolitan Museum
mixed-media with water based oils on paper, 11 x 25 in. (2002)
Grand Central Station, 8:11 a.m.
mixed-media with acrylics on paper mounted birch, 22 x 39 in. (2011)
Old Time Fiddlers, Camano Island, WA
mixed-media with water based oils on paper, 12 x 27 in. (2002) private collection
Square Dance
mixed media with encaustics on paper mounted on board, 15 x44 in. (2007) collection VA Hospital, Tacoma, WA
East & West, Near & Far
The title, “East and West, Near and Far,” circumnavigates the globe. Many of these compostitions are from the homes of people we have known and loved, including some notables. Influenced by the still life tradition, the paintings are elaborately framed. Stated sizes do not include the frame.
Three Men in a Tub (Santos)
oil pastels on Arches paper, 30 x 40 in. (from the home of Jean Jongeward, Seattle)
Still Life with Gourd
mixed media with oil pastels, 22 x 30 in. (home of Ruth Kelsey, Professor of art at Western Washington University 1948-52)
Buddha and Chessboard
mixed media with oil pastels on Arches paper, 30 x 40 in. (from the home of Jean Jongeward, Seattle)
Ruth at Five and Ninety-Five
mixed media with oil pastels, 22 x 30 in. (home of Ruth Kelsey, Professor of art at Western Washington University 1948-52)
Still Life with Stopped Clock in Storage Closet
mixed media with oil pastels, 19 x 26 in. (home of Jean Jongeward, Seattle)
Japanese Cups and Pre-Columbian Head
mixed media with oil pastels, 9 1/2 x 11 1/4 in. (home of Jean Jongeward, Seattle)
Souvenirs from Damascus
mixed media with oil pastels and encaustics, 18 1/2 x 23 1/4 in. (from Frederic Church’s Olana, Hudson, NY)
Still Life with Crockery
mixed media with oil pastels, 10 1/2 x 12 1/2 in.(home of Jean Jongeward, Seattle)
Still Life with Mallard
mixed media with oil pastels, 19 x 24 in. (home of Marilyn Spilke, Catskill, NY)
Nature
Throughout our career, we have always found joy, even exultation in nature. These paintings are selected from 35 years of our mutual love of the out-of-doors.
Touching on Place
A series of paintings begun in 1991 depicting architectural elements in Israel which illustrate the complex and layered history of the land.
Beit Ha’aminim (House of the Rich)
mixed media with pastels on rice paper, 24 x 36 in. (2009) private collection
Structure with Arched Entry (no longer standing)
mixed media with oil pastels on rice paper, 24 x 36 in. (1993)
Interior, Abandoned Arab House, Kibbutz Zikim IV
mixed media with pastels on rice paper, 22 x 32 in. (2010)
Interior, Abandoned Arab House, Kibbutz Zikim III
mixed media with pastels on rice paper, 22 x 32 in. (2010)
Doorways in an Alley, Old Jaffa
mixed media with oil pastels on rice paper, 20 x 30 in. (1996) private collection
Stairway, Old Jaffa
mixed media with oil pastels on rice paper, 20 x 30 in. (1996) private collection
Interior, Joseph Caro Synagogue, Safed
mixed media with oil pastels on rice paper, 26 x 37 in. (1995)
Columns, Ancient Synagogue, Bar Am (Lebanese Border)
mixed media with oil pastels on rice paper, 25 x 35 in. (2005)
Arches, Ancient Synagogue, Bar Am (Lebanese Border)
mixed media with oil pastels on rice paper, 25 x 35 in. (1995)
Casa Nova Street, Christian Quarter, Old City Jerusalem
mixed media with acrylics on handmade paper, 27 x 20 in. (2020)
Entrance, Ethiopian Section, Church of the Holy Sephulcher, Jeruasalem
oil pastels on Arches paper, 30 x 43 in. (1997)
Oil Lamps, Church of St. John the Baptist, Old City Jerusalem
mixed media with acrylics on paper, 25 x 37 in. (2016)
Ashkelon
A series including paintings, ceramics, and sculpture by the individual artists as well as collaborative works. Many of these subjects are inspired by Roman ruins found within a short walk from our second home in Ashkelon, Israel. Some of these works were exibited at Cambridge Museum of Classical Archaeology in 2019.
Double Handle Cups
3000 year old bi-chrome Philistine cup remnant with cups of similar design by Yonnah
Dying of Romanticism
The exhibit, “Dying of Romanticism” was first presented in the gallery of the Jerusalem Theatre during the Jerusalem International Film Festival in 1996. It is a meditation on the roots of Romanticism with a heavy dose of Orientalism. The inspiration struck one day, several years earlier, when atmospheric changes, brought on by a heat wave, caused local television reception to fade out and programs from Egypt were received instead. Chaim grabbed his camera and started photographing the television screen, interference and all. This began a process of several years, at first searching for Arabic movies between stations on the dial of an old black and white TV. Later he transferred these images, often editing them into montages on sheets of rice paper. Yonnah then painted the black and white images with oil pastels, sometimes adding gold foil.
Powwow
gallery and link to youtube
Judaica
A series including paintings, ceramics, and sculpture by the individual artists as well as collaborative works. Many of these subjects are inspired by Roman ruins found within a short walk from our second home in Ashkelon, Israel. Some of these works were exibited at Cambridge Museum of Classical Archaeology in 2019.
MUSIC
My musical background began in the bathtub, when I was a baby. My mother would sing to me, "The headbone's connected to the neckbone..." She had a collection of 78 rpm records of folk music, mostly from the 40's, when she had hung out with some of the artists. I was also steeped in classical music from the radio, as well as every other kind; you name it. As a teenager, I hung out in Greenwich Village, where I learned to pick guitar and listen to jazz. Yet, it wan't until I was middle-aged that I began to write my own songs. I spent 10 years in a string band and then assembled my own groups to record and perform. I have written about 50 songs to date.
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