Joel Zaretsky
 "Shofar Blower" 
Hand Signed Acrylic
This artwork is:
NEW
Hand Signed 
Custom Framed in a two-toned gold and brown frame
Floated and matted on off-white with a metallic fillet
Frame Dimensions: 26" x 30"
Image Size: 16" x 20"
This artwork is titled "Large Shofar" and was created by artist Joel Zaretsky. It is a piece of Judaic mixed-media art that depicts a figure blowing a shofar, a traditional ritual musical instrument made from a ram's horn. 
As each one is done by hand please note that there may be slight color variations.
Please check our other listings- artist does different variations in multiple sizes with similar theme.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Joel Zaretsky (1938–2022) was a New York-based artist known for his "Contemporary Modernist" mixed-media artworks. Born in Brooklyn, he lived most of his life in West Hurley, New York, where he established himself as a prolific and visionary craftsman.
Artistic Style and Innovation
Zaretsky was widely recognized for his innovative "It's Not Metal" technique. Over a career spanning more than 50 years, he developed a unique mixed-media process that used a thick vinyl copolymer—similar to acrylic—mixed with pigments of bronze, copper, pewter, and aluminum. 
Technique: He applied this "slurry" to wood, canvas, or board using palette knives, squeeze bottles, and airbrushes to create highly textured relief work that mimics the appearance of dripped or molten metal.
Themes: His work often featured vibrant, iridescent colors and spanned a variety of subjects, including Judaic themes (like the Shofar and Torah Bearer), abstract modernist figures, and nature-inspired pieces like the "Tree of Life".
Beyond his art, Zaretsky was described as a lifelong outdoor enthusiast. He was an accomplished scuba diver, skier, speed skater, and world traveler. He often credited his success and wonderful life to his long-term partner, Mary Jane, and his son, Adam, who is also an artist.