I am delighted to welcome Green Bean Books publisher Michael Leventhal and illustrator Omer Hoffmann to discuss their project, the Muswell Murals. The murals, which are featured on the wall of London’s Muswell Hill Synagogue, were commissioned to honor the memory of Michael’s beloved mom. They feature colorful, detailed depictions of many iconic Jewish children’s book authors and illustrators, both classic and contemporary. This project is a celebration of Jewish children’s literature, and it’s my honor to learn more about the creative process behind the murals.

For a summary of the murals’ subjects, including descriptions and lists of their most famous works, please visit the Green Bean Books website here:https://greenbeanbooks.com/mural/.

Omer, how did you become involved with the Muswell Hill Murals project? Can you share a bit about how you worked together? 

Michael: I know this is a question for Omer but I’ll add here that I very nervously sent him feedback on sketches. A stereotype of British people is that we don’t criticise or complain or, if we do, we do it in a very subtle way. I was very worried that I might offend Omer with suggested changes but, in fact – I hope I’m right in saying! – I think we got the balance right. 

Omer: Michael and I have worked together many times in the past, on various illustrated projects. He has published two books I have illustrated, and in addition, I have created artworks for bookmarks, invitations, magnets and more for him, though this might be the biggest artwork yet we’ve done together (both in terms of the work and the sheer size of the artworks). 

Were there any unexpected experiences along the way?

Michael: I don’t remember any surprises at the outset but there have been a few different surprises over the last six months. Omer had shown me some impressive black and white sketches, and later a colour sample, but the first time I saw the whole mural in glorious full colour was an incredible moment. The mural was suddenly was real and alive. My 89-year-old father is very frail but I showed him Omer’s work on a laptop screen, not knowing what to expect. Again, I was surprised by his reaction. He was clearly impressed and very moved. And, finally, on the day the mural was launched at Muswell Hill synagogue – the first day of Shavuot – I was so surprised (and absolutely delighted) to see the way people immediately and enthusiastically interacted with the mural. Young and old people looking at the details of the illustration, or sitting down to read. Something that had been a private project between me and Omer was suddenly out in the wild, and it was a wonderful thing to see.

Omer, what was the actual process of painting the mural? What were the steps, and what medium did you use? 

Omer: First we had several chats about the project, at times also with Carl, the project’s carpenter (who is also featured in the mural). Since this was a one-of-kind-project, we had to understand our limitations. 

The first challenge in an illustrated project is always finding the best approach for the project. So after several sketches, we focused on this particular concept – a library showcasing the different Jewish authors, reading, talking, walking around, and watching the scene. It had to be more or less without a perspective, so as to give no particular priority of a person over the others. Also, we wanted children running around too!

After that, I have produced a more fleshed out sketch, as well as a Proof of Concept piece (which consisted of several characters). Michael gave some pointers, and with that I was off to the races. Several days were devoted to collecting references. In some cases it proved a challenge, so Michael used his influence to find obscure photos from across the ocean. 

Producing artwork of such large dimensions is always hard, so I had to work in a “puzzle-like” manner, illustrating different small parts of the larger final artworks on my iPad and compositing them all together on my PC, which protested every now and then due to the massive file. Thankfully, it all came together in the end.

How did you choose the authors you included? Did you let the authors know beforehand?

Michael: Omer might have a better memory than me. I think I supplied an initial list, and over a few months we came up with new ideas for people that should be included. I also had advice from editors and authors (and my wife Rachel chimed in too).

Omer: Michael was the Listmaster. He had it since we started working, which was very important, since we needed to know how many authors I had to squeeze in. I think I added (with Michael’s permission) one or two names, Gossiny and Steig if I recall correctly. 

Now that the mural project is finished, what does it mean to you to see the vision completed?

Michael: I’ve been delighted that the mural has had some wonderful positive coverage online and in UK newspapers and journals. My hope is that other shuls, schools and community centres will use the artwork in their own places to entertain, engage and educate people about our wonderful Jewish children’s writers. Judaism celebrates literature and the idea of passing things from one generation to the next but we curiously neglect children’s authors and illustrators. I hope the mural helps change that in a small way! And I’m already thinking ahead… in 2-3 years there could be a new mural project that features 50 Jewish artists and illustrators if I can persuade Omer to take it on. 

Omer: I am so happy to be able to pay my humble respects to many of the authors and illustrators that were part of my childhood. It also means I have to buy a new PC, since the last one was traumatized by the experience and stopped working. True story. 

Thank you, Michael and Omer!

Tagged Green Bean Books, Michael Leventhal, Omer Hoffmann