wink
A spirited watercolor portrait on paper, this work captures a fleeting expression with loose, confident brushwork and delicate line. Soft washes of brown, green, and pink animate the face, while the close composition creates immediacy, warmth, and a distinctly contemporary figurative presence.
Michal Ben Gal
Michal Ben Gal Background & Education Born in Ramat HaSharon, Israel. Education: Studied Graphic Design at the Technion โ Israel Institute of Technology. Professional Experience: For 25 years, she owned and operated a successful graphic design and print production studio. Literary Work: Author and publisher of children's books. Current Activity: Today, she paints and creates from her private studio located in Kadima. Artistic Style & Evolution Michal initially began her artistic journey painting with watercolors. Today, she focuses primarily on oil paintings on canvas. Her work is deeply expressionistic, characterized by: Multiple, rich layers of paint. A continuous exploration of the inherent tension between order and chaos. Large-scale canvases addressing human figures, landscapes, and textures. "She began painting following a profound and significant personal experience that shaped her worldview. Painting ultimately became her language of copingโa vibrant, colorful chaos that seamlessly connects body, mind, and movement." Artistic Influences & Inspiration Michal draws profound inspiration from prominent figurative and expressionist masters: Egon Schiele: For his piercing minimalism. Lucian Freud: For his raw psychological depth. Pierre Bonnard: Influenced by his rich, vibrant use of color. Jenny Saville & Marlene Dumas: For their powerful depiction of human figures. The Creative Process Every brushstroke in Michal's work is a vigorous, energetic action. Every layer of color adds distinct depth and motion, and every scratch into the canvas is an exploration of the hidden layers beneath the surface. Her paintings serve as a direct transcription of her current state of mindโstormy, full of movement, emotionally charged, and at times untamed, yet always filled with presence, resonance, and depth.
Michal Ben Gal Background & Education Born in Ramat HaSharon, Israel. Education: Studied Graphic Design at the Technion โ Israel Institute of Technology. Professional Experience: For 25 years, she owned and operated a successful graphic design and print production studio. Literary Work: Author and publisher of children's books. Current Activity: Today, she paints and creates from her private studio located in Kadima. Artistic Style & Evolution Michal initially began her artistic journey painting with watercolors. Today, she focuses primarily on oil paintings on canvas. Her work is deeply expressionistic, characterized by: Multiple, rich layers of paint. A continuous exploration of the inherent tension between order and chaos. Large-scale canvases addressing human figures, landscapes, and textures. "She began painting following a profound and significant personal experience that shaped her worldview. Painting ultimately became her language of copingโa vibrant, colorful chaos that seamlessly connects body, mind, and movement." Artistic Influences & Inspiration Michal draws profound inspiration from prominent figurative and expressionist masters: Egon Schiele: For his piercing minimalism. Lucian Freud: For his raw psychological depth. Pierre Bonnard: Influenced by his rich, vibrant use of color. Jenny Saville & Marlene Dumas: For their powerful depiction of human figures. The Creative Process Every brushstroke in Michal's work is a vigorous, energetic action. Every layer of color adds distinct depth and motion, and every scratch into the canvas is an exploration of the hidden layers beneath the surface. Her paintings serve as a direct transcription of her current state of mindโstormy, full of movement, emotionally charged, and at times untamed, yet always filled with presence, resonance, and depth.
