The Magnificent Art of Orna Ben-Shoshan

“Each one of us has an empty space inside, a virtual empty room which we create with our mind’s eye. Every time we visit there, we can contemplate peacefully and process our ideas. This is the sacred space where our soul is recharged and rejuvenated, where the many elements of wisdom are mixed together and new insights are created.”
-Orna Ben-Shoshan

Artist Orna Ben-shoshan receives the images she paints through channeling. Unlike some artists, all of her paintings are completed in her mind before she transfers them onto the canvas. Her works infuse deep spiritual experience with a subtle humor. Her desire is to share her artwork with others to expand their consciousness and inspire new ways of thinking. Her images gives the viewer a rare and insightful visit to places beyond consciousness. Her paintings release the imagination and extend the limits of ordinary perception and take place in a distant world. Creatures and objects interact in unpredictable ways and are uninfluenced by the laws of physics.

Orna’s life-long interest in metaphysics and mysticism has led her to study the Kabala and alternative philosophies. She created the art work of the King Solomon Cards based on the ancient “King Solomon Seals” in 2008 and the personal guidance deck called the – The 72 Names Cards based on the Kabbalistic 72 Names of God.

Sacred Kabbalistic elements combined with Orna’s artwork on the cards become powerful self-exploration tools that interpret different life situations with a spiritual approach and help answer your most pressing questions. I recently had a chance to talk to Orna and ask her about her insightful card deck and enchanting artwork.

Pamela Wells: A card deck is a very large creative project and very time consuming. What inspired you to begin painting a 36 card deck while working as a successful fine artist and graphic designer?

PW: How did you begin your study of the Kabbala and what intrigued you the most about the spiritual teachings of the Kabbala?

OB: My study of spiritual principles started back in the 1980′s when I began my training as a holistic practitioner. Since the energy work that I was practicing echoed with the spiritual expression of my artwork, I realized that there is something deeper for me in all this… In fact, studying spiritual practices has helped me understand better what I was painting. Sounds odd? I was actually painting metaphysical topics without any understanding of what I was doing…

PW: That sounds perfect. Your unconscious mind was already expressing what it knew in your paintings and by studying transpersonal topics such as spiritual practices and metaphysics you are able to put into writing and words to explain the elements you painted and from the viewpoint of your own unconscious mind. Everyone’s unconscious mind taps into the collective or universal mind we all share. Do you think your conscious understanding of the archetypes and symbols have changed or expanded the creative process for you and your message?

OB: I think that understanding the origin of my inspiration gave me the enforcement I needed in order to justify my work as an artist. You see – at the beginning of my career I had many doubts about my contribution to society and the importance of what I chose to do. Now I know that the messages I convey through my artwork are meaningful and necessary for people. This helps me become more dedicated and have more faith in what I do, which eases the creative process.

When I combined my artwork with Kabbalistic symbols in order to create the cards, I feel that my contribution is even larger, because many people can benefit from the result.

PW: The King Solomon Cards and the 72 Names of God are excellent for those who seek immediate and accessible consultation and don’t require a professional medium for interpretation. Could you tell me a little bit more about the principles of the Kabalistic Guidance and Divination System and how that works?

OB: It is an important mission for me to let as many people as possible know about the messages conveyed through my artwork. Since the messages are spiritual/metaphysical, they can be brought out to the world as reading cards as well as fine art.

PW: How did you begin your study of the Kabbala and what intrigued you the most about the spiritual teachings of the Kabbala?

OB: I was looking for answers about how things truly work, about the secrets of the universe, and especially about the meaning of my own existence. This thirst for understanding came from my tough childhood that left deep scars in my soul. When diving deeper into the teachings of the Kabbalah, I got the understanding that everything is done from a reason, and the difficulties I experienced were a necessary part of my spiritual development. What I have learned has helped me accept my circumstances and forgive myself and others.

PW: The King Solomon Cards and the 72 Names of Cards are excellent for those who seek immediate and accessible consultation and don’t require a professional medium for interpretation. Could you tell me a little bit more about the principles of the Kabalistic Guidance and Divination System and how that works?

OB: The basic principle is that we are all connected to the endless pool of knowledge. This knowledge is open and available to all. As humans, we are trapped in physical bodies that are supported by our egos. It is an essential condition for our existence in the physical realm, but together with that, it creates a “shell” that blocks our wider vision. In the Kabbalah, these “shells” are described as “screens” that separate us from the pure truth.

However, we are able to access the knowledge we want with our subconscious minds. All we need is a medium through which we can penetrate through the “shells” and access the knowledge directly. When working with Kabbalistic cards (or any other means of divination), our choices are pseudo random, but in fact, it is our subconsious mind that leads us to pick a card, or a rune that will give us a direct answer to our question. When working with Kabbalistic cards, and using powerful symbols, which carry high potential, we activate a tool that resonates with our energy fields and helps us reach high knowledge.

PW: In order to use the King Solomon Cards and the 72 Names of God is it necessary to be familiar with the Kabbala or reading Hebrew?

OB: No, the letters and symbols contain their own energetic attributes, so it does not matter if we are aware of the original meanings. The important thing is the answer we receive through them.

PW: The King Solomon Cards come presented in an elegant wooden box with a booklet composed of extensive Kabalistic knowledge. Could you tell me about some of the other divination tools you have created for those who want to connect to the source of their spiritual power or internal wisdom?

OB: Another divination tool that I recently created is the that contain a set of Hebrew letter combinations that describe the names of God. I would say that the main difference between the two set of the divination is that the 72 Names CardsKing Solomon Cards relate to the physical level of being, while the 72 Names Cards relate to our spiritual path and the physical aspects as well.

PW: Why is it important for people to approach using sacred tools like the 72 Names Cards and the King Solomon Cards with the utmost respect?

OB: Because the cards offer deep and sincere insights into the soul, and therefore, are not a spay game and should not be used as guesswork.

PW: When did you begin your study of universal spiritual principles and how do you see that as being part of your creative work?

OB: My study of spiritual principles started back in the 1980′s when I began my training as a holistic practitioner. Since the energy work that I was practicing echoed with the spiritual expression of my artwork, I realized that there is something deeper for me in all this . . . In fact, studying spiritual practices has helped me understand better what I was painting. Sounds odd? I was actually painting metaphysical topics without any understanding of what I was doing . . .

PW: Is there any thing you would tell seekers when it comes to how they make decisions in their own life based on all that you have learned as an artist and teacher?

OB: What I can assure people is that they have all the knowledge they need in order to make important decisions. Most of the human mistakes occur when people are looking for external answers and do not look into themselves to find them. How do we know that the decision we made for ourselves is the right one? It resonates with our inner truth. When we make a decision that is right for us – we feel a good vibration in all levels of existence – mental, spiritual, physical and emotional. All we have to learn is to trust these sensations.

PW: Tell me a little bit about your next creative project?

OB: I am planning to create a new series of digital paintings on a new topic that has to do with the potential of the human body. Besides, I always have a new oil painting at work on the easel…

PW: Thank you so much Orna for your mystical wisdom and beautiful paintings. You can see Orna’s work at: “The Magnificent Art of Orna Ben-Shoshan” at http://www.ben-shoshan.com.

ABOUT ORNA BEN-SHOSHAN
Orna Ben-Shoshan was born in Israel and received her training as a graphic designer in Tel-Aviv. In 1982 she moved to the U.S. Orna has exhibited her work in museums and galleries throughout the U.S. and abroad. She has received several awards, such as the “Grumbacher Award” from the Copley Society of Boston. Orna returned to Israel in 1996 where she is continuing to work from her studio in Ra’anana. Since then, she has been exhibiting her art at numerous one-person and group shows in Israel and Europe. You can contact Orna at orna@ben-shoshan.com.