The original watercolor painting was 14"x23".
It was digitally transformed into a 7'x12' vinyl banner for Congregation Shir Shalom in Sonoma, CA.

The banner was dedicated in a special shabbat service in Sonoma on November 14, 2009.
I wrote and presented this poem for the occasion:

Dove of Peace over Sonoma Vineyards
Banner Dedication Poem
By Nina Bonos
November 14, 2009

Yea, I walk through the Valley of the Moon,
And it is wonderful!
Adonai is alive in the vineyards.

I feel her presence within and around me
While drawing and painting from my soul.
Inside the Shir Shalom window shape
A carefully crafted artist’s story comes alive.
Intuitively, shapes and colors emerge
From my heart, mind and hands
To share with you.

Sweet, purple grapes are ripening
While dancing on their vines.
Grapevines appear as outstretched arms of friends,
Reaching for one another,
Linking arms, davening and singing:
Hiney Ma Tov u-ma nayim
Shevet achim gam yachad
meaning....
How good and pleasant it is when
Brothers live together in harmony.

High above, the Shir Shalom Dove
Sings her Song of Peace.
Soaring in the blue sky towards the clouds,
The full harvest moon, and the heavens,
Her melodious song delights the ears
Of the valley inhabitants below.
We see man and woman’s presence
In the bountiful valley,
In barns and homes sheltered among
Native valley oaks and Italian cypress trees.

Grapevines become a menorah,
The symbol of ancient Israel.
Multi-colored leaves become flickering candle lights,
Warming the glow of Hebrew letters spelling Shalom.

Bright, red pomegranates recall our Torah.
It’s seeds, numbering 613, represent the number of mitzvot
Prescribed by our Tree of Life.
Olive branches are another important peace symbol,
Reminding us of the Noah’s ark dove returning from dry land,
Signaling an end to flood, and a return to peaceful times.

The golden, rolling hills of California,
Expressed in pastel, rainbow colors
Are our backdrop for a wonderful life in paradise,
Here in the Valley of the Moon on a beautiful autumn day.