Scotch Plains Artist's Work On Display At Westfield Gallery

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — Scotch Plains artist Michele Sobel is now being represented by the family-owned and operated Evalyn Dunn Gallery in Westfield.

Currently, the gallery is exhibiting a series of Sobel's hamsa artwork, including her black and white hamsa blessings for the home, which are painted to look like an agate slice, in rich black and gold colors.

Sobel hand-lettered the blessing around the hamsa and hand applies gold leaf to the embellished print. The hamsa is universally recognized across many religions to symbolize protection, good health and good fortune.

The gallery sold one of Sobel's initial pieces in the first week of exhibition and she is working on completing new ones which will be in the gallery shortly.

Sobel's artwork can be purchased at the gallery on a wrapped canvas or in a custom black frame.

"There has definitely been a rising demand for my personalized blessings and hamsas since the beginning of the pandemic," said Sobel. "I believe that's because people are looking for ways to process how the world has changed since 2020, and feel protected, as well as give the gift of protection to their loved ones."

"I find Michele’s work very appealing, professionally done and up to the standards of my gallery,” Civins said. “It has a real classic style," said Gallery owner and Scotch Plains resident Jaclyn Civins.

The gallery offers an eclectic mix of contemporary and tradition fine artwork as well as unique gifts.

Sobel has been inspired by the people and world around her, including the many places she has lived and traveled — the shores of Long Island, NY beaches of Charleston, SC, Westchester, NY, Israel, La Rochelle, France, and now, the Garden State.

The mostly self-taught artist specializes in traditional and modern artwork for the home, children's decor and Judaica art. Her commissioned work often includes custom details such as personalization or meaningful symbolic details for the commissioning buyer. She primarily works in acrylic, watercolor, gold leaf, and sometimes hand-lettered calligraphy for a personalized touch.

Sobel began her professional art career in 2009 in Greenwich, CT, where she sold her first collection of whimsical portraits of women, with Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf and Swarovski Crystal accents, inspired by the beautiful landscapes and elegant people who lived there.

From there, she continued to grow her commissioned art business, and opened an Etsy shop with a line of personalized gifts featuring her art prints. Read More: Scotch Plains Mom Turns Art Passion Into Business

She has exhibited her work in various galleries and boutiques in Greenwich CT, including The Greenwich Arts Council Gallery as well as the galleries of Charleston Art Guild, in Charleston, SC, Port Chester Council for the Arts, in Westchester, NY, and most recently, Evalyn Dunn Gallery in Westfield.

To inquire about a commissioned piece contact Sobel at [email protected] or on Instagram.

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