Monday, October 6, 2008

Shkalim

(click to big)



Transparent watercolor on arches cp140
17.5x13cm (approx. 5"x7")


This is a painting from the Web Group I just joined "Every Day Matters". I have only just joined and am not sure of how things work on this group, so this is a trial run, of sorts. A new subject is posted every week. I am jumping in in the middle with last week's assignment #191: Draw some paper money. Maybe I will work backwards, too, but I want to work on what everyone else is working on so I can see how other people handle the subject and maybe learn something along the way.
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For more info, see Karen Winters' blog: http://www.karensblog.com/
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The Israeli New Sheqel (שקל חדש, sheqel ḥadash, abbr. NIS; symbol: ₪; also spelled unofficially shekel; pl. sheqalim or unofficially shkalim - שקלים is the currency of Israel.
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When I came to Israel in 2003, I could get 5 sheqel for every American dollar I had. As of today I can only get about 3.50 for each dollar, (which is very bad for people whose savings are in dollars.)
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The first known usage of the sheqel is from Mesopotamia around 3000 BC.

Here is a photo of an old one:




Undated issue (year 3 - 134/5 CE). Bar Kokhba's Tetradrakhm/Shekel/Sela. Obverse: the Temple facade with the rising star. Reverse: A lulav, the text reads: "Year one of the redemption of Israel"















12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome to EDM - hope that you enjoy the art community as much as I have. Love your paper money for this week's challenge and now I need to go back and look at your older paintings. Please keep sharing....

Lynn said...

Welcome to the EDM group!You're off to a great start on the challenges. I look forward to seeing more of your sketches.

Margaret Ann said...

Nice work...great color...Welcome to EDM! :)

BARBARA WEEKS said...

What wonderful work you do! I know I'll visit often.

bettyfromtexas said...

Your response to the paper money is really beautiful!! I want to look around now in your blog. I think you will enjoy the EDM group, and we are truly glad that you joined!!

The Victorious place said...

Nice work. Like the color and feel of the work.

Hi I'm Laurie... said...

What a beautiful painting. The color is so inviting. I also enjoyed the history lesson. The children and I were just reading about Bar Kokhba in school.

Sandy said...

Welcome to EDM , what a fabulous post!!! I can't wait to look into your blog more!

PNH said...

Your watercolors sparkle, I'll be looking for more of your work

Lisa Adams Reed said...

I have just discovered your blog and am so glad I did! Keep sharing--I love your work.
Lisa

Avitalp said...

That's awesome! Beautiful use of colour. I saw a shnekel for the first time a few days ago.

Jala Pfaff said...

Great painting, love the color too.