Ein Tamid Oasis, Arava, Israel

This plein-air painting is part of a series of the oases in the Arava desert in Southern Israel. The oases, featuring natural springs and wild date palms, are part of the land's ancient history, as trade routes have run along them for thousands of years. Their ecological significance for the region is also high. Unfortunately, due to climate change and regional anthropogenic factors, the desert springs are running dry, and these unique historical and natural sites will soon be lost.
I paint outside with oil, and due to the strong sun, I paint mostly in winter (Oct-March), but also then I have to be quick and early because it gets hot. For most locations I paint I need a 4x4 vehicle to get there, also for this location. I enjoy the solitude of painting in the desert, and of getting to know this unique environment by painting.