24 | DECEMBER 2 • 2021 to make large paintings, ” she says of the cards, which were originally 24- by 36-inch pieces of art. Then, having the paintings professionally photographed, Zausmer was able to create smaller versions in printed cards that are emblazoned with menorahs, Jewish sayings and more. The Temple Israel member has been inspired by the classes she’s taken at the synagogue, where she’s learned about Jewish studies, life and culture. “I have been guided into some of the things I want to write on the paintings that I make, ” she says of her education. Zausmer’s Jewish gifts are colorful and often abstract. The cards are sold in boxed sets or individually. LINDA BUCK Linda Buck has built a personal and professional life around art. Working as an art teacher for 20 years in both public and private schools, she continued to practice different forms of drawing — her go-to medium — throughout retirement and beyond. “I’ve drawn all my life, ” the artist says. Just before retiring, she took a creative workshop that introduced her to a new form of drawing that involved draw- ing on clay. “I really liked the texture and the final product, ” Buck explains, “so I stuck with it. ” Now, Buck has been making clay-backed drawings for near- ly two decades. Yet when some of her Jewish clients suggested making Judaica pieces to com- plement the candleholders she was creating at the time, Buck realized there was a new way to evolve her art even further. Though Buck isn’t Jewish, she designs one-of-a-kind menorah and mezuzah draw- ings created on clay that she says have a “positive view of life. ” For sale at the BBAC Holiday Show will be Buck’s Judaica artwork that includes beautiful blue and black mezu- zahs, among others. “One of the things I really enjoy about being in an art show is that many people will ask me what a mezuzah is, ” she explains. “I feel privileged to be able to tell them the signif- icance. “It really warms my heart to see so many people nod their heads and say, ‘Oh, that’s a real- ly nice tradition. ’ And I’m glad that I know it. ” OUR COMMUNITY Patti Tapper’s jewelry continued from page 23 FREE IN-HOME ESTIMATES FREE IN-HOME ESTIMATES • FULL REMODELING SERVICES FULL REMODELING SERVICES Shelby Township Shelby Township • West Bloomfield West Bloomfield • www.lafata.com www.lafata.com • 586.930.1703 586.930.1703 CHECK OUT OUR NEWLY RENOVATED CHECK OUT OUR NEWLY RENOVATED WEST BLOOMFIELD SHOWROOM! WEST BLOOMFIELD SHOWROOM! Your Dream Kitchen Your Dream Kitchen