Devotaj.Art | Ketzirah Lesser

Sigil, 2022 via MidJourney AI

The

Visual Incantations

of Ketzirah Lesser

I am a maker and teacher of the sacred arts. I create magickal art, ritual, and practices inspired by the rich depth of Jewish history and traditions; cræfting artifacts for a forgotten future that is more equitable, just, and spiritually alive.

My work is to explore and create beautiful connections between past, present, and possible future(s).

Visual Incatations

Magickal Mixed-Media Fiber Art

Fiber is my primary medium, but that also includes the fibers of the internet that power my research, design, and sometimes the art itself.

I often think of the internet as the realm of chashmal (חַשְׁמַל), which is both the modern Hebrew word for electricity and the Divine energy of Ezekiel’s vision.

Tzimtzimai Pocket Shrine

Dimensions: 3” x 3”

Concept: Pocket shrine working with Divine name Tzimtzimai from Jewish teachings.

Materials: Silk embroidery on silk with appliquéd cinnamon sticks. Handwoven cord and handmade frame.

Year: 2014

Detail Views

Engagement Hamsa

Dimensions: 12” x 12”

Concept: Evoking and protecting the building of committed relationship that begins at an engagement

Materials: Cotton embroidery on linen, with acrylic paint and rose quartz, set on wool felt.

Year: 2018

Detail Views

AI Incatations

My most recent pieces begin with text-based prompts utilized with the AI art generator Midjourney, and then are further refined in digital art tools such as Procreate.

The final step for many pieces is to pull them out of the digital realm by printing on canvas and then embellishing with paint, embroidery, and sometimes objects.

Cosmic Hamsa, 2022

via MidJourney AI

Protection from afar

Dimensions: 8 x8

Concept: Protection for a beloved who is far away

Materials: Digital art via MidJourney AI and Procreate, printed on canvas, embellished with embroidery and acrylic paint

Year: 2022

Detail Views

Olam Chesed Yibaneh

Dimensions: 8 x8

Concept: Invoking a world built with love

Materials: Digital art via MidJourney AI, Procreate, Brushstroke, and Canva. Printed on canvas, embellished with embroidery and acrylic paint

Year: 2022

Detail Views

/Imagine...

Work in progress: Transforming a teaching from Hilchot Teshuvah into a Visual Incantation

"What is Teshuvah? It is the process by which a person stops whatever is causing them to miss the mark, becomes aware of and redirects their thoughts and resolves in their heart not to do it again."

This sketch took about 30 iterations in Midjourney and then a a few small tweaks in Procreate.

The next step will be to print it on canvas and add dimension and detail through paint, embroidery, and found objects.

About Me

Ketzirah ‘haMa’agelet’ Lesser is a maker and teacher of the sacred arts. She creates magickal art, ritual, and practices; cræfting artifacts for a forgotten future to help create a time that is more equitable, just, and spiritually alive. Her work is to explore and create beautiful connections that connect past, present, and possible future(s).

She was a member of the first cohort to receive ordination as a Kohenet through the Kohenet Hebrew Priestess Institute. She also received ordination as a Celebrant of Becoming, a spiritual community she co-led in Washington DC from 2002-2012.

Among her many endeavors are the creatrix of Eht/Aht: a Netivot Wisdom Oracle — the first published oracle deck based on the teachings Kohenet Hebrew Priestess Institute as well as adorable soft sculpture golem/et, sacred stickers, and the Kesharim K’doshim approach to mussar.

In 2016 Ketzirah created Devotaj Sacred Arts to be a studio for the sacred arts rooted in Jewish magickal, healing, and folk practices from across the world and across time.