I was born and raised in Jerusalem, Israel, in a closed Jewish Orthodox community, not having any connection to other cultural inspiration outside of my own experience. I started to draw and paint from the early age of 9 and fell in love with the possibility of capturing a likeness through the skill of drawing a portrait.

This observation shaped a curiosity to expand my views to an outside world. I studied Chinese and English. In 2019, I completed a degree in Art and Education at the religious college Emuna. This was the first time I was exposed to Art, although the experience was initially limited It opened my eyes to the possibility of further academic study in art and stirred a longing to capture the beauty and moving capabilities of portraying real life.

In 2018 I won the Summer Scholarship of the Florence Academy of Art and for the first time I was introduced to the academic methods of painting. When I returned to Israel, I started practicing every day on the street and I produced over 1000 studies within one year. I also rented a studio to teach drawing and work on my own portraits.

It was clear to me that I wanted to study in Florence to acquire knowledge in drawing and painting, and to be inspired and learn from the greatest Masters of Art, in a surrounding that has so many rich and important historical examples.

At the age of 21, I left my community, a decision that was not easy at all, which has unfortunately led to a disconnection from my family. It has left me with the full responsibility of my own destiny, finding funding and support for full time study. Starting from scratch, still very naive, I embraced another unknown culture, in order to study in Florence to improve my skills, I worked two jobs from morning to night every day until I was able to save enough money.

In January 2020 I finally started studying at the Florence Academy of Art. At the beginning it was very intense but exhilarating to be studying and practicing art from morning to night, doing extra-hours and long weekends. The opportunity to draw long-poses under the mentorship of highly trained teachers, to finally have access to specialized training. I was surrounded by young artists and driven people. I made a massive leap in my perceptual and technical ability, and I was very hardworking.

At the start of the pandemic, I unfortunately had to return to Israel, where I made a living by running portraiture workshops in Tel-Aviv. This fuelled my determination to return to Florence where I am now currently living. I am eager to return to the next semester of study at The Florence Academy of Art to continue to gain experience, skills and knowledge, to be able to pass on invaluable skills and techniques and continue my incredible life-journey as an artist.