“Less is more” is not an appropriate descriptor for the work of Gali Rotstein. In her ongoing process of self-definition, more is more. Gali uses multiple light sources, multiple perspectives, multiple dimensions to express herself through multiple media.

She struggled for years to find her true voice. Growing up surrounded by the work of Nathan Oliveira, Elmer Bischoff, Wayne Thiebaud, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, David Park, Selden Gile, Christo, Richard Diebenkorn, and Anselm Kiefer -- major artists collected by her father, Naftali Zisman -- her early creative influences literally loomed over. The influence of Israeli artists Raffi Kaiser, Menachem Gueffen and Menashe Kadishman, family friends also collected by her parents, was monumental. She spent many years visiting with the artists and studying their work closely, trying to decode and emulate their techniques. When Gali was 16 she had a rite of passage, of sorts, when Kadishman recruited her to paint backgrounds for his large-scale work.

Yet even with enviable access to the inner circle of an international art scene, Gali instead chose a life of intense, inner and outer exploration, wandering the world and starting business enterprises. It wasn’t until after marrying her husband, running four successful start-up businesses, writing a series of children’s books, and surviving a serious illness and another life-defining moment that she finally came to terms with her untapped passion as an artist.

In the year after moving into her own studio for the first time, she created her first series, HOME. In this body of work, completed in 2005, she searched for and found her roots by reaching deep into her life, both past and present. HOME was shown as part of the Santa Monica Fine Art Studios Open House November 2005 -- seven pieces (half the show) sold in one night, a coup for an unknown artist.

In her next suite, REQUIEM FOR A HOUSEWIFE, installed in the entryway of Teri Hatcher’s new production offices, Gali used acrylic, pencil, found objects and other mixed media to wage war against the word Housewife...which, for all practical purposes, in spite of successful ventures in business and other artistic endeavors, she feels she is.

Gali finds that after years of experimentation, soul-searching and self-exploration, she is able to explain herself – to herself and the world – through her art.

And with that, she has found a sense of peace.