Fallow fields
Mil wexler kobrinski
About Mil wexler kobrinski
Born in Amsterdam, Netherlands, I came to the United States as a small child. While in high school, I concurrently attended classes at the Art Students League, the Brooklyn Museum Art School, and the New School of Social Research in New York City. After high school, I returned to Amsterdam as an apprentice to the artist Jos Rovers. During this time, I also attended classes at the Rijks Academy in Amsterdam. After spending the summer of ’73 in Ein Hod, an artist village in Israel, I ended up living in Israel for nearly three years. In Israel, I became a ceramic painter for Lapid Ceramics in Yafo. Returning to New Jersey, I have taught ceramics and art appreciation at Monmouth University, Brookdale College, and I am currently teaching ceramics at Ocean County College, NJ, as well as painting and ceramic classes in my New Jersey studio.
About Fallow fields
The landscape painting I created is an imagined place, fields of dried wheat laying fallow. This is how I envision Shmita.
To me a fallow field is beautiful. I see beauty in the breakdown of nature. But intentionally allowing fields to rest every seven years (Shabbat for the land) is an even more beautiful mitzvah. A way of giving back and not always reaping. This intentional rest replenishes nutrients in the soil to rebound and regain strength. This mindful preparation is for abundance, strength, and for future growth. Shmita allows all this to happen, just as Shabbat allows me to rest and replenish my energy to be creative in my art practice. I feel this is very profound and meaningful for my artwork and mindset.
