Om Mani Padme Hum

I finally took the time to do another painting!!

I love everything about this one: the bright colors, the peacefulness (that I hope it envokes)... Here are some symbolic meanings to go along with it (cause I love me some symbolism):

"The main characteristics of the elephant are his strength and steadfastness. There for it becomes a symbol of physical and mental strength, as well as responsibility and earthiness.

"In buddhism the elephant is a symbol of mental strenth. At the beginning of one's practice the uncontrolled mind is symbolised by a gray elephant who can run wild any moment and destroy everything on his way. After practising dharma and taming one's mind, the mind which is now brought under control is symbolised by a white elephant strong and powerful, who can be directed whereever one wishes and destroy all the obstacles on his way."

-taken from here.

Duo

This painting was sold in a local gallery. When the owner told me who bought it, I was shocked to find that I actually new the proud new owner:  Her mother used to babysit my sister and I when we were younger, and we grew up knowing each other's families.

Small World.

Buddha Nature

Here are two of my Buddha paintings (both of which have sold)...

Psychadelic Zen

This was a custom painting for a friend of a friend. I was given the color scheme and told the recipient liked buddhas... This is what I came up with. It's hard to see, but the white "lightning" marks are cracks throughout the coating.

Tranquility

This painting is another one of my first paintings (2003); it was taken from a picture that one of my cousins took of a buddha statue.

Cloaked in Corked Therapy

My clown obsession continues...

Cloaked in Corked Therapy - my depiction of the affects of alcohol (specifically, wine, in this one). Wine can have many affects on us - make us silly and happy, like a clown... She's waving with her right hand, foot up on the side of the glass - totally basking in the wine. And it can also make us lustful (see how she's puckered up)... But there's a tear on her cheek (for depression) & she's crossing her fingers, hoping no one will see what's really going on inside.......

Ma Chérry

"Ma Chérry" like "ma chérie" in French... [translation: "my darling"]

Boast

Boast boasts the kanji meaning for Pride / Arrogance.

This shot, taken with my camera phone, doesn't do this 8x24 Acrylic painting justice.

This canvas was one of many I stretched in odd sizes while working at a graphic design company. I love the long narrow size of the painting, as well as the red on bright yellow. 

Blasé Blue

This was at the start of my peacock obsession...

Blasé Blue 36 X 48 Mixed Media - DONATED

It was a group effort; My daughter's 1st grade class had an art auction, in which each class was supposed to donate something. Her teachers asked me to work with the kids to create something, and this is what we came up with. 

I had the children make the "eyes" of the tail feathers for me. I instructed them on how to paint their eyes, but I let them do it on their own and didn't alter their work.

We were all really proud of the finished product. I hated to see it go... But I did receive an incredibly sweet email from the winning bidder at the art auction. 

It was an amazing & humbling experience, and I would love to do something like this again in the future!