Ketubah Graphia

From sketch → color study → hand-cut paper, paint, handwritten text, and final details, here is a little of the process behind a bespoke ketubah (in reverse). ✨

Every ketubah begins by hand, long before the finished artwork exists. These detail images show part of the evolution of a recent commission: exploring layout, color, layering texture, shaping paper botanicals, and slowly bringing the text and imagery into conversation with one another.

The final piece brings together watercolor, cut paper, hand-painting, and calligraphy — all created to hold not just beautiful imagery, but meaningful words meant to be revisited for years to come.

(And yes… I’m saving the full reveal for another post. 🌼🦋)


This handwritten Book of Esther called the Megillah (“scroll”), for the holiday of Purim, belonged to my maternal grandfather. I never knew my grandfather, but I cherish having something that I know was his, was touched by his hands, and that connects us. Unfortunately, not much else is known about where the scroll came from and how my grandfather acquired it, but I can feel history—mine and that of the Jewish people—when I hold it, and I try to imagine the answers to those unknown questions.
There are other kinds of megillahs, but only Esther, the story of Purim, is read from a handwritten scroll—traditionally written with a goose quill.
There had been water damage to some of the lettering on this scroll, but the ink still glistens on the leather.
Scroll to see the whole Megillah...and don’t forget to make some noise if you catch the name of the badman of the story, Haman המן, ….it’s written 54 times in the Megillah! Happy Purim!!!

One of my ketubot was recently included in a new publication, and it’s an honor to see this work reproduced alongside artists I deeply admire—among them Ben Shahn, as well as colleagues working locally and internationally.

For clarity about the piece shown here:

It was created especially for this publication in 2022 (not 2012) with hand-cut watercolor paper and acrylic ink, the calligraphy done with pen and nibs on watercolor paper, and with all materials chosen for their longevity and beauty.

The interlinear text alternates Hebrew and English, framed by papercut lines referencing the chuppah or wedding canopy.

Along the border is a well-known phrase from Shir HaShirim, often translated more poetically as, ‘I have found the one in whom my soul delights.’

The empty spaces you see in the text are where the couples personalization information would be written—their names and the date and location of the wedding.

I’m grateful to the couples who entrust me with their words—and to the ways this work continues to travel beyond the studio!

Mazel Tov and ¡Felicitaciones! to D&M on their wedding today in Spain!

They commissioned a custom handwritten, hand-painted, and cut paper ketubah that included the names of their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents and Valencia oranges and orange blossoms surrounding their Spanish and Hebrew ketubah text.

Wishing them many years together full of sweetness and abundance like those oranges, and that they always be surrounded by loved ones!

(Images include details, full ketubah, process, and digital sketch.)

Is it just me or does that stick collection look like it was the muse for this ketubah?
Vignettes of M&D’s framed ketubah and beautiful surrounding objects are eye candy for me today. Here is my favorite. 👁🍬
Shabbat Shalom and a safe peaceful weekend, everyone!

Feedback like this from ketubah customers makes more than just my day. Hearing a couple’s joy at receiving their ketubah and seeing it for the first time reinforces how much I love what I do!