Chassidus in Color: Exploring the Soul of Art with Estee Klein

As the deadline approaches for the Chassidus in Color Art Competition: Pesach Edition, organizer Menachem Meltzer took the opportunity to garner some last-minute inspiration from Estee Klein, an accomplished artist and one of the judges of the competition. Hosted by Rabbi Simon Jacobson’s Chassidus Applied, the contest invites hobbyists and professional artists to convey a Chassidic concept about Pesach, through art.

Sharing the source of inspiration for her art, Estee related, “my art reflects the world around me, community, family, humanity—these are the themes that resonate with me the most.” With a focus on figurative compositions, Estee endeavors to convey moments, stories, and emotions through her paintings, inviting viewers on a journey of exploration and reflection.

Teaching others, as Estee explained, has been an integral part of her artistic evolution. “One of the greatest gifts my students have given me is the renewal of joy and awe in creating art,” she shared. “It’s easy to lose sight of that natural joy when art becomes your livelihood, but seeing the raw passion in my students reignites that spark within me.” For Estee, teaching is not just about imparting technical skills; it’s about nurturing creativity and fostering a deep connection to the artistic process.

When asked about the transition from hobbyist to professional she explained “Technically, you become a professional when you start getting paid for your work. But the journey doesn’t end there. The key is to continue growing and evolving as an artist, always striving to improve.” For Estee, maintaining a balance between artistic integrity and commercial success on her website, www.esteekfineart.com has been challenging.

She spoke candidly about the struggle to preserve the passion and love for art amidst the demands of the industry. “It’s easy for art to feel like work, especially when there’s pressure to sell,” she acknowledged. “But I’ve learned that the key is to focus on creating work that speaks to me personally, rather than chasing trends or catering to market demand.”

The Chassidus In Color Art contest aims to help participants find their voice in artistic expression, while simultaneously uplifting the physical medium or art in accordance with The Rebbe’s vision. The top three submissions in the hobbyist and professional tiers will receive cash prizes. Participants have expressed gratitude for the opportunity to connect with Chassidus in new ways.

Resource sheet of Chassidus Ideas about Pesach :  Chassidus in Color Art Contest-Resource Page

For more information or to submit a piece please visit: http://chassidusapplied.com/chassidusincolor

The deadline for submissions is Shushan Purim / March 25th 2024

Judges:

Michoel Muchnik
Rabbi Yossi Paltiel
Rabbi Mendel Wolff
Estee Klein
Mush Kanner

Prizes:

Professional Tier
First place: $1500, EZRI Designer Bag* and $500 ArtToFrames giftcard

Second place: $1000, EZRI Designer Bag* and $250 ArtToFrames giftcard

Third place: $500, EZRI Designer Bag* and $100 ArtToFrames giftcard

*$600 value

Hobbyist Tier

First place: $770

Second place: $470

Third place: $260

Featured Submission

Shneur Samuels, 19, Farmington Connecticut. Up-and-coming artist.

In this submission, Shneur Samuels depicts varying concepts from the wealth of chassidus on Pesach. To the right is depicted a modern man struggling to climb up a cliff. This represents the struggle we individually go through nowadays, as well as in the past. It also symbolizes the liberation we can achieve therein, both at an individual and global (messianic) level. As shown with the gate leading to Moshiach. Liberation is a central theme in chassidus with regard to pesach. The dark clouds rising from the bottom, both represent the golus and darkness he is escaping from, as well as the rising of chametz. In the left corner, the four cups of wine are shown, with their corresponding four terms of Geula.