Erica Schultz
Erica Schultz has been a graphic design professional since 1994—and the longer she works in graphic design on the computer, the more inspired she get to play with its potential. Erica says, "I have perfect control over all the elements on the page, and don't have to worry about executing the letterforms by hand. So although I also have some training in calligraphy by hand, for me, there's no going back!" Erica specializes in Judaica (particularly based on Jewish texts) because that's what's closest to my heart. Please visit www.erica-schultz.com/judaica/ to see more of her work.
Rainbow Mizrach by Erica Schultz
Mizrach is the Hebrew word for "east"; the word denotes "sunrise". Traditionally, in Judaism, one prays facing east (equated with the direction of Jerusalem, though it is unclear whether one should adjust to reflect one's current geographic reality). Thus, it has become a custom to hang a reminder (also known as a mizrach) on the eastern wall of a room. This piece uses two verses from Psalm 113, in which the word mizrach appears: "Be the name of the LORD blessed now and forever. From the rising [mizrach] of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD be praised."
Finished size (unframed): 5"x7" horizontal
Digitally printed on 100lb white text stock.
Unframed: $15.00
5"x7" clip frame: $35.00
Finished size (unframed): 5"x7" horizontal
Digitally printed on 100lb white text stock.
Unframed: $15.00
5"x7" clip frame: $35.00
$
35.00
Oseh Shalom by Erica Schultz
"The One who makes peace in the heavens will make peace for us and for all Israel. Amen." This simple and eloquent prayer for peace begins with a phrase taken from Job 25:2, "oseh shalom bimromav". The expanded sentiment appears in many Jewish contexts, including at least two well-loved folk melodies. It closes both the Kaddish prayer and
the Elokai Ntzor meditation after the Amidah (this layout is adapted from a detail view of the larger piece).
Finished size (unframed): 5"x5" square
Digitally printed on 100lb white text stock.
Unframed: $12.00
Double-matted to 8"x8" black frame: $50.00
the Elokai Ntzor meditation after the Amidah (this layout is adapted from a detail view of the larger piece).
Finished size (unframed): 5"x5" square
Digitally printed on 100lb white text stock.
Unframed: $12.00
Double-matted to 8"x8" black frame: $50.00
$
50.00
Elokei Ntzor by Erica Schultz
This text is a "meditation" that comes after the Amidah in the prayer service. Having pondered the rhythms in this text (which are one of the aspects that make it 'meditative' for me) for a long time, I came up with this mandala-style arrangement interwining the Hebrew text with its transliteration. The outermost ring is the English
translation: "My G-d, guard my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking lies. To those who curse me, let my soul be silent, and let my soul be like dust to all. Open my heart to Your Torah and my soul will pursue Your commandments. All those who wish me evil, quickly frustrate their counsel and disrupt their designs. / Do it for Your name, do it for Your right hand, do it for Your holiness, do it for Your Torah, for the good of Your beloved, let Your right hand save and answer me. / May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart find favor in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. / The One who makes peace in the heavens will make peace for us and for all Israel. / Amen."
Finished size (unframed): 11"x11" square
Digitally printed on 100lb white text stock.
Unframed: $25.00
Matted to 12"x12" frame: $60.00
Matted to 20" x 20" beechwood frame: $120.00
translation: "My G-d, guard my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking lies. To those who curse me, let my soul be silent, and let my soul be like dust to all. Open my heart to Your Torah and my soul will pursue Your commandments. All those who wish me evil, quickly frustrate their counsel and disrupt their designs. / Do it for Your name, do it for Your right hand, do it for Your holiness, do it for Your Torah, for the good of Your beloved, let Your right hand save and answer me. / May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart find favor in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. / The One who makes peace in the heavens will make peace for us and for all Israel. / Amen."
Finished size (unframed): 11"x11" square
Digitally printed on 100lb white text stock.
Unframed: $25.00
Matted to 12"x12" frame: $60.00
Matted to 20" x 20" beechwood frame: $120.00
$
120.00
Elements (The Holy Cities) by Erica Schultz
There are four holy cities in Israel, which, according to the Jewish mystical tradition, correspond to the four elements:
* earth = Hevron, where our Matriarchs and Patriarchs are buried;
* fire = Jerusalem, onetime site of the burnt offerings, and seat of
the Divine Presence;
* water = Tiberias, on the Kinneret, or Sea of Galilee;
* air = my beloved Tzfat, the town with the highest elevation in Israel. Tucked away in the northern mountains, this legendary home of the 16th-century Kabbalists is also known today for its colony of artists (many of whom, of course, are Kabbalists themselves...).
The arrangement in this piece is based on their geographic order, north to south.
Finished size (unframed):
8"x10" horizontal
Digitally printed on 100lb white text stock.
Unframed: $20.00
8"x10" clip frame: $40.00
Matted to 11"x14" beechwood frame: $55.00
* earth = Hevron, where our Matriarchs and Patriarchs are buried;
* fire = Jerusalem, onetime site of the burnt offerings, and seat of
the Divine Presence;
* water = Tiberias, on the Kinneret, or Sea of Galilee;
* air = my beloved Tzfat, the town with the highest elevation in Israel. Tucked away in the northern mountains, this legendary home of the 16th-century Kabbalists is also known today for its colony of artists (many of whom, of course, are Kabbalists themselves...).
The arrangement in this piece is based on their geographic order, north to south.
Finished size (unframed):
8"x10" horizontal
Digitally printed on 100lb white text stock.
Unframed: $20.00
8"x10" clip frame: $40.00
Matted to 11"x14" beechwood frame: $55.00
$
55.00
Alef Bet by Erica Schultz
In Judaism, the Hebrew alphabet has spiritual significance in and of itself. Although the playful tone of this piece is great for kids' rooms, its clean lines and graphic punch will appeal to any lover of letters. Remember, the sequence starts in the top right corner and goes from right to left (first aleph, then bet, and so on through tav).
Finished size (unframed): 8"x10" vertical
Digitally printed on 100lb white text stock.
Unframed: $20.00
8"x10" clip frame: $40.00
8"x10" white-painted wood frame: $45.00
Matted to 11"x14" beechwood frame: $55.00
Finished size (unframed): 8"x10" vertical
Digitally printed on 100lb white text stock.
Unframed: $20.00
8"x10" clip frame: $40.00
8"x10" white-painted wood frame: $45.00
Matted to 11"x14" beechwood frame: $55.00
$
55.00