Artist Ted Barr, an international creator and founder of the Home Front Initiative, brings a unique approach to the worlds of art and creation, combining freedom, inspiration, and a constant exploration of the human spirit.

Ted Barr’s works are exhibited worldwide and are recognized for the visual language he employs using his unique FLY technique. Meeting Ted Barr inspires participants to develop creative thinking, experiment fearlessly, and discover how art can open hearts and transform consciousness. Through his approach, everyone is invited to dare, dream, and create – understanding that creation is far more than a material object; it is an inner journey of discovery and expansion.

During the workshop, participants will explore diverse artistic tools and techniques, collaborate on unique projects, and create art pieces for families affected by war. Every piece created in the workshop becomes a symbol of hope and community support..

About Ted Barr’s FLY Method

For seven years, I studied the fundamentals of painting with Shlomo Tzafrir in Old Jaffa until his passing in 2002. Everything I learned from him was “by the book,” and it became clear to me that I needed to say goodbye to that method and find my own path in the art world. I began painting galaxies and stars, but I felt I couldn’t express the immense forces of deep space with just a brush.

I started exploring different media, tools, and materials to convey the awe I felt when gazing at the night sky. The FLY method emerged through experimentation – initially combining oil and acrylic paints, using sticks and palette knives. After a few years, a pivotal event solidified the method.

I had been working for about four months on a large-scale painting that was nearly finished. At that time, my studio was on the third floor, and during home renovations, the contractor accidentally spilled a can of tar on my painting.

Anger is too mild a word – rage doesn’t even begin to describe it. I couldn’t believe that four months of work were destroyed in an instant.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Ted,” said the contractor, “I’ll bring you a new canvas tomorrow.”

Luckily, I didn’t have a weapon at hand.

The next morning, when I went up to the roof and saw the painting, I realized I was at the threshold of a new era. The tar had fused with the other materials and transformed them into forms that were otherworldly – beautiful, glowing shapes. The contractor arrived with two new canvases and endless apologies. I kissed him on the forehead and said, “Thank you.”

From that day on, I began experimenting with tar. Over several years, I mixed tar with turpentine in different proportions until I developed a method I could present. Then I received a request from an artist named Mafi Voraka from Mexico, who told me that a group of artists had been following my work. They offered to buy me a plane ticket to Guadalajara, cover my stay, and organize a major exhibition of my works – in exchange for teaching them my method.

“What method?” I asked her.

“We want to paint like you. Teach us what you do.”

Thus, in Mexico in 2009, the first FLY workshop was born. Since then, I have been constantly traveling, conducting FLY workshops in places such as Berlin, Paris, Dallas, San Francisco, Kathmandu, Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Udaipur, Jaipur, Miami, New York, San Miguel de Allende, and more.

FLY is a way of life, culminating in the FLY painting method expressed through my art.

In the FLY painting method, we use layers of opposing materials – oil, tar, acrylic, and gesso – applied to surfaces and manipulated with sticks or palette knives. The results are always surprising, forming shapes before our eyes.

Even after many years of experience with FLY, I remain curious about each result. And if someone comes to a FLY workshop and says, “I could never do this,” my answer is: those who have never tried benefit the most.

I invite everyone, of all ages, to soar with us in FLY workshops, crackling with creativity, in the magical artistic space of the Home Front Hangar.

— Ted Barr