"My painting is a song — an outburst of joy, a cry, a longing, a yearning, and a search.

It is an essential need to express myself through color and form in those places where words fall short and cannot contain all that I feel. A universal language that touches emotion, beyond rational explanations".

I am Orly Shalem, an Israeli artist working primarily in abstract painting. For me, the creative process is an unplanned journey inward. It begins with an emotion — often accompanied by music — and unfolds intuitively, until I feel that the painting is complete and the journey has come to an end.

My work moves between the expressive and turbulent — rich in color, movement, and energy — and the quiet, delicate, and lyrical. Much like life itself.

I work mainly with acrylic on canvas, sometimes incorporating oil pastels, ink, charcoal, and pencils. Some of my paintings contain references to landscapes, flowers, or human figures, yet I do not seek to depict them as they appear. Instead, through abstraction, I try to capture the feeling, memory, and experience they have awakened in me.

My inspiration comes from landscapes that have left their imprint on me, music in all its diversity, my inner emotional world, and small moments of grace and wonder.

One of the most meaningful parts of creating art comes when a painting meets its viewers. I love hearing the different interpretations it evokes — sometimes surprising and moving me as well. Knowing that one of my paintings has touched another person brings me great joy.

Before dedicating myself to painting, I worked as a graphic designer. I am a graduate of Hadassah College and completed the Art Instructors Program at Beit Berl with honors. I have been painting for about two decades and have participated in solo and group exhibitions in Israel and abroad.

My original, one-of-a-kind paintings and selected fine art prints are exhibited and collected by private clients, collectors, and interior designers.

I invite you to explore my galleries, to look — and above all, to feel.

If a work speaks to you and you would like to experience it in person, I would be delighted to welcome you to my gallery in Israel.

Contact me to arrange a visit:
+972-50-336-6992