Let's Talk About Art: Create your own art
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Artist Zivi Aviraz with two of her acrylic paintings, "Roman Holiday," left, and "Sedona."
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"Art is just like playing the piano or learning math," says Zivi Aviraz, 60.
"It takes lots of practice to become better. You have to work at it!"
Ms. Aviraz began her art education at the Jewish Community Center and continued it under the tutelage of several local artists. Today her paintings and other works can be seen at the JCC, Community Day School and other educational institutions, as well as galleries in the Pittsburgh area.
Born and raised in Israel, Ms. Aviraz earned an undergraduate degree there before moving to Pittsburgh to work at the JCC and later earned a master's degree in education at the University of Pittsburgh.
She took her first art class at the JCC when she was 28.
"Our instructor taught us the basic techniques, like how to use brushes and mix color."
Ms. Aviraz, who now lives in Oakland, says that her love for art grew from there. She took the basics that she learned and continued to practice. Now, she enjoys painting with mixed media and creating collages.
"I like to create collages because you can take whatever you want, cut it up and put it back together," she says.
Ms. Aviraz says that while she is not a perfect artist, collages help her create ideal images.
"I was never good at painting faces. So one time I just painted a bunch of different faces and cut out what I liked and pieced it all together."
This is the same technique that she taught her students when she substituted at Shadyside Academy.
"I told them that anything can be done. You don't have to be good at drawing or painting. You can create your own art."
First Published August 31, 2010 12:00 am
