The Gates at Ein Karem, 2004

Done while the artist was touring Israel in 2003. The figures in the painting are a group of soldiers resting outside the gate.

"Ein Karem is traditionally considered the birthplace of John the Baptist, and also the site where Elizabeth met Mary before both John and Christ were born. It was one of my favorite places in Israel. I was there for only a day, but how beautiful that day was. As I came to the gate outside the chapel, I saw this beautiful black iron gate silhouetted against the sky with the olive trees and hills in the background. On the left was a group of Israeli soldiers along with a guide and on the right was a priest resting on a stone wall. In the center was a figure of a work man repairing the stone wall. The yellow sign in the center of the gate united the work."

This gate is at the Church of the Visitation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ein_Karem#/media/File:Church_of_the_Visitation_IMG_0632.JPG

The village of Ein Karem, situated on the western slopes of Jerusalem, is the birthplace of John the Baptist.

Artist's Notes: "We had been in the Church of the Visitation" to see the paintings of Elizabeth and Mary. Outside was a statue of both. Was this where they met?

It was hot, and I went outside to sit. Did a drawing of the gate and hillside beyond. The soldiers were sitting to the left and the priest to the right. The gardener in blue in the middle, and the yellow sign pulling the elements together."