What is the best thing that I love about my work?

I am a graphic designer, and I teach design at the college level as well. I am also a writer and illustrator. I have published two novels and two children’s books.

I work in a number of different settings, allowing me ample opportunities to learn new things, meet people of diverse backgrounds, and challenge myself all the time. I especially love finding ways to create combinations of words and images, language and colors, letters and typography.

What is my idea of happiness?

Happiness is but one emotion out of the huge variety of human emotions. I do not aspire to be happy all the time, as that seems quite unnatural. Sometimes I feel happiness, sometimes sadness, sometimes enthusiasm, and sometimes even boredom and frustration. What I really aim for is to know that at every point in time I am in the place I am meant to be.

What is my greatest fear?

Like any mother in the world, my greatest fear is that someone will hurt my children. I have five children and the thought that something might happen to them makes me cringe.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

I am very independent and a bit of a control freak. While I think being a control freak does have some advantages, it also makes teamwork a challenge. I always prefer to do things myself. That’s why all of the books I’ve written have also been designed by me.

Which living persons in my profession do i most admire?

I am a person of words and since I live in both the world of design and the world of writing, I am very interested in typography and the ability to create interesting designs with letters and language. There is an Israeli designer whose typographic works always inspire me, Hen Macabi – https://henmacabi.com/

What is my greatest extravagance?

Bright and colorful shoes!

On what occasion would I lie?

When my kids ask me “Mom, are you awake?”

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?
Bookkeeping.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?
I feel joy every time something new is brought into being. When I publish a new book, when a product I designed is released, when my students’ projects go live.

If I could, what would I change about myself?
I work alone most of the time. Most of the projects I’ve worked on were independent projects. I would really like to do more collaborative projects with other creators.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

My books. So far, I’ve published four, but only one of them was translated into English and it’s available on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/House-Lost-Spirits-Einat-Shimshoni/dp/B08B324YH4). I hope the rest will be translated as well!

Where would I most like to live?

I live in a small town called Katzrin, in the Golan Heights. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the world and I’m grateful to have the privilege of living here. There are a lot of places I want to visit, but I would not want to live anywhere else.

What is my most treasured possession?

My husband and I received a wedding gift of a large sum of money, with instructions to use it to buy a menorah. We were poor students back then – we barely had money for rent – but we took that money and went to one of the most prestigious galleries in the country, where we bought a menorah designed by the artist Yosl Bergner. This menorah is a unique piece of original art. I felt like a queen when I bought it.

What is my most marked characteristic?
I think my writing is characterized by the combination of seriousness and humor. And personally, I am very stubborn and fiercely independent.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

I live in a magical place. The town of Katzrin is located between two river channels. Just a short ten minute walk from my house you’ll find a natural pool. It’s a great place to clear your head and open yourself to inspiration.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

Because Katzrin is such a small town, there are not many places to go out to eat or drink. My favorite pastime is going out into nature, so I would have to say, a picnic in the open air!

What books influenced my life and how?

The book “Interview with the Vampire” by Anne Rice left a huge impression on me when I first read it at the age of sixteen. I remember thinking that if I ever write a book, I wanted to write like Anne Rice. The plot itself was not as important as the author’s ability to portray characters in a mesmerizing way.

Other books that made an impression on me are “Boy’s Life”, ” The Book Thief”, ” The Golem and the Jinni”, and other books by Israeli writers such as David Grossman and Meir Shalev.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

Choosing one song or one piece of music is like choosing one of my children. Impossible.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

Professor Minerva McGonagall, from the Harry Potter series. Her ability to silence a noisy group of children with just a glance is admirable.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

My older sister. She is the most brave, most honest, and most creative woman I know. At the age of 35 she decided to leave a secure job in finance and open a fashion design studio. She designs the most beautiful and comfortable clothes and she is never afraid to try new things.

Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime?

“Big Fish”. I highly recommend all of Tim Barton’s movies. He’s a director with a special approach to color, and the visual qualities of his films are stunning. But “Big Fish” is the greatest, mostly because of the wonderful characters.

What role play stories in my life and work?

I consider myself a story hunter. I look for the story in every situation. Storytelling is my way of understanding the world and also my way of expressing myself. Even through my design or art work, I always tell a story.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?

The story we tell ourselves is the story that governs our lives. We can choose which story to tell. More than that, we can choose whether to be the protagonists of our own stories, or play a secondary role in them.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My husband, my partner through this life’s journey. We always say he’s the ship and I’m the wind in the sails. Neither of us can move forward without the other.

Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2021?

I have a dream that my book, “The House of the Lost Spirits”, will be made into a movie, with a script adaptation by B. J. Novak. Novak is among the most talented writers I know of. His writing combines sensitivity and sophisticated humor. If there is one person I would like to work with, it is him.

What project, in 2021, am I looking forward to work on?

There’s a new book brewing in my head and I hope to write it in the coming year.

Where can you see me or my work in 2021?

One of my four books (all written in Hebrew) has been translated into English and is available on Amazon. I hope to add more books in the coming year.
https://www.amazon.com/House-Lost-Spirits-Einat-Shimshoni/dp/B08B324YH4

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

I think passion is the driving force behind every creation, and every person who engages in art, of any kind, must have a passion for it. Art can be very unrewarding at times. Passion is the only thing that keeps you going.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?
Rina Applebaum – A glass artist who creates amazing jewelry https://mandarina.org.il/about-eng/

Efrat Moskowitz – graphic designer, photographer and blogger
https://leharshim.com/

Dana Israeli https://www.youtube.com/user/danaisr76

How can you contact me?

studyogaash@gmail.com