Neal Spitzer: Artist
Realist Painter of People
0

Resume
Poems

eMail me

Opening page

Camino 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Camino 1

Camino Opening

Oil/liquin on linen, 40” x 30”, end 2013

Emily

Emily:
An American retired airline hostess, Emily makes good use of her access to nearly free flying going anywhere in the world she is needed to escort children to world-class surgical centers where severe birth anomalies are repaired — cleft pallets, skull deformations, etc. On her smartphone there is a shot of herself in an airline seat, with an infant she’s bottle feeding, flying from Africa to a hospital
in the U.S.

That child is forever changed, and that village is forever changed. They are now aware of a wide world that before did not seem quite real.

Emily also showed a shot with herself and 5 young teenage orphans on their way from Germany to Texas to meet prospective parents. Of the the five, four visits were successful. The 5th, a girl with some behavior problems, was rejected. Just try to imagine what it must feel like to have the most tender sore spot in your life(rejection) repeatedly bruised.

Emily’s gift, Camino-like actions, brings to mind an old Judaic teaching of the Lamed Vavniks, the 36. Each letter in the Hebrew alphabet has a given number, the Lamed 3, the Vav 6. The Lamed Vavnicks are the 36 who, by their actions can save the world. No one knows who the 36 are. They can be anyone at anytime. So at any time you may at be one of the 36 who by your actions can save the world. And whoever you meet may be one of the 36 and deserving of respect.

One story told to illustrate the concept of the Lamed Vavick: A grandfather, who is dying, goes for a day to visit a young grandson. Both grandfather and grandson have a wonderful day playing, reading, fishing, etc. At the end of the day the grandfather returns to his home.

Who is the Lamed Vavnick?

One answer — both are of the 36. The grandfather and the grandson are each one surface of a coin. And the space between the two surfaces — that is where you find God.

It is interesting that significant numbers appear in many cultures. I have come across a reference that
in medieval Christianity there were 36 secret Saints who can have great good effect on the way the world unfolds.

Ghasson

Neal Spitzer © 2016

Neal Spitzer, artist, realist painter of people, paintings, portraits, portrait commissions, limited edition archival prints Poetry in Public Places Neal Spitzer, artist, realist painter of people, paintings, portraits, portrait commissions, limited edition archival prints Poetry in Public Places Neal Spitzer, artist, realist painter of people, paintings, portraits, portrait commissions, limited edition archival prints Poetry in Public Places Neal Spitzer, artist, realist painter of people, paintings, portraits, portrait commissions, limited edition archival prints