¿Era solo un sueño?

(Oil on Gessobord, 2024) Was it just a dream?

Salvator Mundi

(Oil on Gessobord, 2020) Based on the original Salvator Mundi painting by Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci dated to c. 1500. Long thought to be a copy of a lost original veiled with overpainting, it was rediscovered and restored, though no one knows exactly where it is now.

A Mother's Love

(Oil on Gessobord, 2023)

Windows to the Soul

(Oil on Gessobord, 2023) "The eyes are the windows to the soul" has been attributed to William Shakespeare, Leonardo Da Vinci, the philosopher Cicero and even the bible. Look into the eyes, and you'll see the soul.

100 Years

(Oil on Gessobord, 2022) Another portrait of my mom, looking out of the door at home. The title is from the Five For Fighting song, "100 Years"... when you've only got 100 years to live.

Portrait of Helen Dalal

(Oil on Gessobord, 2019) A portrait of my mom, Helen Dalal. I based it on a photograph taken in Rome several years ago.

Portrait of Shukri Dalal

(Oil on canvas, 2012) A portrait of my dad, Shukri Elias Saleh Dalal. I based it on a photograph taken before his passing in 1992.

Christ of St John of the Cross

(Oil and Acrylic on canvas, 1998) My favorite of my paintings. Based on a Salvadore Dali painting, this was finished on Good Friday, 1998. Words cannot describe the emotion seeing this painting in-person brings up. Everyone who sees this painting, stops and stares in silence.

(Oil on Gessobord, 2022) The frame is made from cherry wood with cutouts of the Jerusalem Cross, as a nod to the more traditional Arabic Mashrabiya window screens. The intent was to showcase the various iconic scenes of the Holy Land, bucolic and realistic, as if you are peering out through the window.

Banana Leaf Mural

(Acrylic and Latex on drywall, 2023) Inspired by the wallpaper at the "Beverly Hills Hotel" and "The Colony" hotel, and a little bit by Blanche's bedroom on "The Golden Girls". Notice the monkey with the martini (see inset).

Portrait of Garland and Lois Keel

(Oil on Gessobord, 2019) A portrait of Brian's grandparents, Lois and Garland Keel. I based it on a photograph taken taken several years ago.

Aspects of Gala's Christ

(Oil and Acrylic on canvas, 1999) A surrealistic yet fantastic image, based on Salvadore Dali's piece, Gala's Christ. My interpretation focuses on the floating crucifix. It is both uplifting and sorrowful.

Two Women at a Window

(Oil on canvas, 2003) I've always loved this painting. It is based on the famous piece that was originally done by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (Spanish, 1617-1682) circa 1655/1660. The original was at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, where I so often admired it. My interpretation of the women in this painting (here) is slightly more pensive. You can't help but smile when you see the ladies looking at you with a complex smile.

Gertie Riding Petunia

(Painted Polymer Clay, 2020) You've all met "Gertie the Goat" in my previous series of paintings. Now, she's up to no good again -- riding my favorite real-life donkey that I named "Petunia" -- yes, he's a boy donkey.

Gertie the Goat Portrait

(Oil on canvas, 2014) Part of a series. This is #1 in the series. What can one say about "Gertie"? She's adorable. Gertie the Goat was inspired by the Victorian portraits of stuffy old ladies in the museums. When I look at them, I admire the artwork, but am curious about why these "ladies" have portraits painted of them. Why is a cute goat not the subject of a formal portrait? So, I went and painted a portrait of a goat and named her Gertie. Her smile is a bit Mona-Lisa-ish. No?

Queen Gertie

(Oil on Gessobord, 2019) "Queen Gertie" is part of a series. This is #2 in the series. Queen Gertie is happy and proud to be crowned by daisies. She's always a conversation starter.

Grazing Gertie

(Oil on Gessobord, 2019) "Grazing Gertie" is part of a series. This is #3 in the series. Queen Gertie was happy and proud to be crowned by daisies. Now, Grazing Gertie is enjoying the daisies while giving us a little wink.

Torso

(Acrylic on canvas, 2010) After a workout, you look in the mirror at the results, and with the backlit room, this is the near silhouette you see. I did this in a metallic paint that gives you even more play in the light. It's simple, but sexy. No frame for the simplicity.

Desert Palms

(Acrylic on canvas, 2019) While on a recent trip to Phoenix, Arizona, I stayed at a beautiful resort called The Royal Palms Resort & Spa. In their gardens, this line of perfectly formed palm trees caught my eye. The only angle from which to see them, was clearly from below, looking up. The symmetry of the trees, combined with the natural desert light against the blue sky and wispy clouds made the image almost surreal. Nature has a beauty that can sometimes look made-up.

Desert Sunset

(Acrylic on canvas, 2019) I decided to try and let my obsession with detail go and try and abstract painting. It was ok, so I painted over it. It's based on a scene I saw on a recent trip to Phoenix.

Phantom Tree

(Oil on canvas, 1988) One of my personal favorites--this scene is based on a tree that stood near my house for so long.

The Nile

(Oil on canvas, 1987) This painting is of the Nile River Valley at sunset. This painting has a hazy and lazy feel to it. Certainly worth a trip to see the real Nile River Valley.

Terebinth Tree in the Sinai

(Oil on canvas, 2000) This vivid painting is of the Terebinth Tree in the Sinai Desert, on the road to Damascus.

Banana Palm

(Acrylic on canvas, 2003 -- overpaint) I couldn't find this painting anywhere to buy. It would have been the first painting I ever bought for 'decor'. So, I painted it. It is inspired by the Banana Leaf print that the Beverly Hills Hotel is known for, and I thought it would be perfect for the Cabana Guest Room in my Florida house. For a while, Blanche's bedroom on the "Golden Girls" TV serieshad these banana leaves behind her bed.

Sugar Ray

(Oil on canvas, 2001) This is my first real attempt at a portrait. It's of no one in particular -- but it was based on the unique face of then pop star, Mark McGrath.

Madonna and Child Ikon

(Acrylic on plaster, c1955-2018) Plaster created by my grandfather, Akel Assaf in Jerusalem, and I just painted it in 2018 in the style of an ancient Orthodox ikon.

Forsaken

(Oil on canvas, 2002) This painting is titled "Forsaken". I attempted to capture the agony of feeling forsaken.

Christ in Majesty

(Oil on canvas, 1991) Inspired by a mosaic titled "Christ in Majesty" at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, this painting means a great deal to me.

800-MUSIC NOW

(Acrylic on canvas, 1996) A memorial to the product I worked on from idea to end, this montage of 1-800 MUSIC NOW images is a reminder to me of a tremendous product, just a bit ahead of its time. This brings back great memories.

Fish: Corporate America

(Acrylic on paperboard, 1985) This painting symbolizes the atmosphere of corporate mergers in the 80's where the "little fish" were consuming the "big fish". A lot of people think this is a billiard table when they first see it.

City Time

(Wood, Styrofoam, Plastics, etc., 1992) One summer evening in Boca Raton, FL, I visited a neighborhood art gallery where I saw a clock that stood about 5 feet tall, with miniature people figures all over it--I fell in love with it. I decided that I could go home and make one like it myself. Two weeks later, I had finished making my own. The scene on the top is of scores of city people running around in a crazed state. Crime is depicted throughout. The irony is that a statue of Superman stands in white marble on one side, unable to help.