Galia Bernstein A whole lot of Talent

Galia Bernstein was born and raised in Israel. I first came across her work through her blog (Dancing Kangaroo) and more recently through her portfolio.

She started her career as a designer and cartoonist in the Israeli Army’s magazine, and was the art director of two children’s magazines and a writer of a monthly column in a computer magazine, before moving to New York to study illustration in Parsons the New School for design.

Going back to 2014, Galia was experimenting with clay and starting to make ceramics. She began with imitating some of her (and my own) favourite ceramists work, just to get used to making shapes. Like that of Stig Lindberg, Lisa Larson and Aldo Londo.

But soon moved on to create her own work in her personal and decoratively beautiful style.

The intricate detail is captivating and mimics her illustrative style exactly.

Working from a small 5th floor apartment in NY and having to use a communal kiln in a community Clay group must have been tough. I know she had a few frustrating kiln accidents but I still admire her tenacity and desire to keep going.

Stunning contemporary-retro hangings and cheeky mermaids.

Her designs led into gift wrap and greeting cards.

And more recently books. Her debut author/illustrated picture book, I AM A CAT, was published by Abrams Books in 2018 and has co-editioned into over 12 languages and countries, across Europe and around the world. Her second picture book, LEYLA published May 2019.

It seems Galia can turn her hand to whatever she wants and make it something special.

I’m sorry I missed buying one of these beauties, Galia if you make any more will you keep me in mind please !

Plenty more wonderful images on Galia’s Instagram too.