Dorit Schwartz

Dorit Schwartz, A Woman of Grace

BY JOAN S. PECK

Recently, I was fortunate to attend an exhibit of Dorit Schwartz’s Light Within Collection at the World Market. I was enthralled with how she combined exquisite polished exotic wood pieces with stunning crystals strategically placed within the creation that sparkled and shimmered with light directed upon them. It took my breath away to see how her creations reflected the contrasting energies of the chakras from the earth tones to the heavens. Another stunning element presented was that of dancers from the Nevada Ballet creating the effect of ‘poetry in motion’ as they moved throughout the space, giving life to the sculptures.

I couldn’t wait to see more of her work. Luckily for me, I’d be the one to write the article about her for Chic Compass magazine.

When the day came to visit Dorit’s home studio, I mounted the marble stairs to her home with great anticipation. I was not disappointed. I was greeted and welcomed by a smiling Dorit, who introduced me to her puppy, a Goldendoodle (a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle) named Luna, a perfect name for a dog whose owner is spiritual and appreciative of all to do with Mother Nature.

Dorit Schwartz

Entering the house, I felt peace and calmness surround me. Everywhere I looked, I could see Dorit’s effort to bring the outside in with plants, flowers, decorative wooden pieces, and stone, besides having her overwhelming pieces of artwork, metaphysical in design, placed purposefully around the house. It was awesome.

Outside, plantings were bountiful, and a koi pool with plenty of colorful fish moved gracefully around in the water, easily seen from the eat-in kitchen and great room. Baskets from Thailand and other exotic places were on display, creating a Zen-like outside space whose energy seeped inside. Need I say that I was in heaven!

It is interesting to note that during COVID, Dorit said that she had an almost desperate need to have fresh flowers in the house to combat the energy and fear existing around the pandemic.

Inside her home studio, I was amazed to see all various crystal pieces from around the world. Dorit had just returned from the famous gem show in Tucson, Arizona. A few new pieces were black crystals that drew my eye because of their uniqueness and contrast to the white crystals’ lightness. It wasn’t easy to move from that spot and not remain there for hours, taking it all in.

Dorit Schwartz with “Vine of the Soul”

Large pieces of wood that Dorit found in such places as Thailand or Costa Rica were in different stages of completion—sanded, smoothed, and oiled. I could see that some wooden pieces were slices taken from large tree trunks, still showing their growth circles. Others were twisted branches made beautiful by the finish work required to make them outstanding in their beauty and uniqueness.

Who is this creator of such graceful beauty? How did she reach this stage of her creativity?

Dorit was born in Tel Aviv, the youngest child of three, having two brothers, seven and ten years older. As a child, she picked up sticks and odd pieces created by Mother Nature—always bringing the outside, inside—intrigued by the diversity of nature. Dorit studied Fine Arts at the Wizo Art School in Tel Aviv. Then, at the age of 17, she moved to Los Angeles, California, where she met her future husband in high school. They married and are the parents of three beautiful children—two sons and a daughter—and a grandchild soon on the way. She and her husband moved to Las Vegas in 1996, where they remain.

Sculpture by Dorit Schwartz

Dorit’s work is constantly evolving. She began her artistic journey with clay, moved onto marble carving, and now works with wood and crystal. Her discovery and appreciation of the smoothness of acacia wood, the cool feel of marble, the roughness of discarded mortars, the vibrancy of colorful crystals, and their healing properties magnified her admiration of both the old and the new.

What is the goal of her creations? “My work exists to evoke feelings; to awaken people; to dive straight into the depths of human strength and fragility. My creative process represents my deep appreciation for the organic beauty found in nature… inviting people in, magnetically drawing them to physically feel the sculptures [sic].”

The original collections were developed exclusively in Alabaster and wood. The newest collections—The Light Within and Light of Kabbalah—are composed of crystals, reclaimed rare woods, hand-carved selenite, built-in lighting, iron, and high-polished steel. “They represent balance and harmony in nature.”

Since 2008 Dorit has served full-time as the Resident Artist for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Las Vegas Chapter. Her work can be seen at various locations throughout the city of Las Vegas—The Discovery Children’s Museum, The Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Downtown Summerlin, Summerlin Hospital, UNLV, City Hall, Symphony Park at the Smith Center, and the World Trade Center, Las Vegas. Her treasured pieces are in homes around the world.

What is Dorit’s advice to others? “Create to create, with no expectations. Don’t let others take away your dreams.”

As we were ending our conversation regarding her artwork, we settled into a leisurely discussion of how we reach a point of greater freedom to express ourselves through many means with age. “It is an awareness to transform without fear and to contribute back to society with grace.”

You can reach Dorit at:
DS@DoritFineArt.com
www.DoritFineArt.com
702.768.4998

Dorit Schwartz working on a sculpture