25 Aug 2014
Posted by Aliyah 
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A fascinating look behind another Ketubah.com artist, this month it is Adam Rhine. Adam began working with Ketubah.com 5 years ago when a mutual friend of his and CEO and founder Michael Shapiro, brought Adam to his attention.
“Michael was especially interested in my “Chalom” and “Dreams” style which was a series of 22 individual Hebrew letters done in wet-into-wet watercolor paintings. I hadn’t worked in that style in years, but this was a very exciting way of returning. Initially, it took several frustrating attempts, but one of my pencil 
sketches I did on the train coming home from work became the “Chalom Ani L’Dodi II Ketubah” pairing that was a top seller for Ketubah.com.” And continues to be popular.
Adam’s “Sephardic Ani L’Dodi Ketubah” started off as a private commission for a couple in New Hampshire. Adam explains how it came to be; “The Kallah [bride] wanted the design to be Middle Eastern in its nature in honor of her Chatan [groom] who was of Iranian descent. She identified my art on Facebook as the exact “Persian look” she wanted for the Ketubah.”
It was an ideal situation where I was able to produce a meaningful, original painting for the couple while it was able to retain the “Rhine” look. She received a unique Ketubah that will hang in their home for the rest of their married lives knowing she had a hand in its creation.”
It’s really a blessing that so many things have come together over the years for that to happen.
You don’t have to be getting married to love and appreciate Adam’s designs! His 10th edition of his “Hebrew Illuminations” stunning wall calendar is available through Amazon now, perfect for yourself, a loved one, in time for Rosh Hashanah. Last year it was the #1 Jewish wall calendar on Amazon for the entire season! Now is your chance to have your own: Adam’s Calendar on Amazon!
When I asked Adam how that must have felt to be the #1 Jewish calendar on Amazon he shared how surprising that truly was.
“It’s really a blessing that so many things have come together over the years for that to happen. In 2003, the publisher took a chance on me as an “unknown” and it has really snowballed from there. The yearly need to create new artwork has been the driving force in getting me to produce more, and better, paintings over the past decade.
“The calendar is produced by Amber Lotus Publishing out of Portland, Oregon, and they do an excellent job with the overall packaging and international distribution. Ketubah.com fans will see some familiar designs in each edition of “Hebrew Illuminations,” so keep your eye out for them!”
It took quite bit of time to get the design measured and balanced, but the result is very exciting!”
This years calendar has some unique and special designs. Adam tells us more;
“This year, the theme is “L’Chaim – To Life!” which features 16 of my acrylic, watercolor, and colored pencil artworks. 5 are a polyptych (interconnecting designs) that illustrate the “Levels of the Divine Soul” as defined by Kabbalist Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto in his 18th century book “Derech Hashem/The Way of God.” When the originals are stacked, they form a 10′ tall single painting which is the largest I have ever attempted! New York author Louise Temple writes in detail about each level of spirituality we all have inside of us.”
To top it off, one of my best acrylic paintings is featured on the back cover. “Chai 5773 – The Moroccan Twist” is a geometric whirlwind of eight colorful knots weaving around the six pointed star, surrounded by circles of leaves based on fours. It took quite bit of time to get the design measured and balanced, but the result is very exciting!”
To purchase your own Hebrew Illuminations Calendar click here for all the details!
To check out more of Adam’s work you can go to HebrewArt.com
