What Is the Artistic Style and Theme of Orna Ben-Shoshan's Paintings?

Orna Ben-Shoshan's paintings are visionary, surreal works that blend deep mysticism with subtle humor. According to the artist's own description on ben-shoshan.com, her style sits at the intersection of metaphysics and visual art: she describes her process as opening her consciousness and channeling images "from a different realm of existence," and she completes each painting in her mind before transferring it onto the canvas. If you are drawn to surreal imagery with a spiritual or mystical undercurrent, her work fits that space; if you are looking for straightforward realism or purely decorative abstraction, it does not.

Style: Visionary and Surreal

The website frames her work as a "window to another dimension." Key stylistic markers, based on the site's description:

• Surreal, otherworldly imagery — the source of the images is described as a different realm of existence, not observation of the physical world.
• Metaphysical orientation — the work is presented as an infusion of deep spiritual experience rather than a formal exercise in style.
• Subtle humor — humor is described as woven into the metaphysical content, so the tone is not solemn despite the mystical themes.

Theme: Mysticism, Consciousness, and Inner Vision

Her stated motivations and influences, per the site:

• Expanding consciousness — she describes her major motivation as sharing her visions "to expand their consciousness and inspire new ways of thinking."
• Kabbalah and alternative philosophies — a lifelong interest in metaphysics and mysticism led her to study the Kabbalah and other alternative philosophies.
• Spiritual experience with a light touch — the themes are serious, but the humor keeps them from reading as purely doctrinal.

She also shares this knowledge in articles and short essays published in magazines worldwide alongside her paintings, so the written work and the visual work come from the same set of interests.

Method: Mind First, Canvas Second

The distinguishing feature of her practice, as described on the site, is the sequence:

1. She opens her consciousness and channels images from another realm of existence.
2. Each painting is completed in her mind before any transfer to canvas.
3. Only then is the finished mental image moved onto the canvas.

This matters for how you read the work: the composition is conceived as a whole rather than built up through sketching or revision on the surface.

Background and Where to See the Work

• Self-taught for 30 years — the site describes her as an autodidact artist for the past three decades.
• Exhibited in the USA, Europe, and Israel — numerous locations across those regions.
• Artist's book available on Amazon — hardcover, 90 pages, large format, plus a Kindle edition.

How to Decide If It's for You

The clearest next step is to look at the paintings themselves on ben-shoshan.com and read a few of her essays, since the written work explains the same ideas the images carry.