Holy Energy (Original)

When painting this cover art for the Nekuda Tova Purim edition, I had a few specific concepts in mind. One of the animals used in the construction of the Mishkan was a unique creature called the Tachash. Rashi explains (Shemos 25:5) that the Tachash was a multicolored animal created specifically for use in the Mishkan.The word Tachash is translated by Onkelos as ססגונא, which can be split into two words: "שש" (joy) and "גוון" (color). Its colorful hide brought joy to all who saw it. When I read this Rashi, I knew I wanted to create a piece filled with color; since Adar is a time of simcha, I wanted the art to evoke that same feeling. This provides a deeper insight into why colorful things are so intrinsically associated with joy.
Adar is a time when Klal Yisroel experienced miracles that were hidden as they were happening, and only "revealed" later on. This is often our experience as Yidden. Sometimes it can take a little time until we can find Hashem, but if we look carefully we always will!  Similarly, I wanted to create art where the picture isn't immediately apparent to the viewer—only after a few moments is the image truly "revealed."