Icons of the Great Tradition

This is a painting that was inspired by a haiku. I often find ideas for paintings in poems. During the Narathon (my 100 paintings in 100 days challenge), I painted a small piece inspired by the image of cherry blossoms falling in the lap of the Buddha. It was one of my favorite pieces that I created during that event. I always wanted to do a larger painting based on this idea. This spring, while the blossoms were dotting the greens hills with pink and white, I began to make this piece.

Here's the haiku by Kikaku:

The Great Buddha-oh
his lap must be all filled with it-
cherry-blossom-snow!

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.

I have never been to Hong Kong, but I have looked at many images of the Tian Tan Buddha on Lantau Island. The Big Buddha is particularly interesting because of the view from below the statue. This image of Buddha is depicted in "Abhaya Mudra" which refers to the position of the hands. The right hand, raised with open palm turned outward, partially obscuring the Buddha’s serene face, is a very potent representation of this icon of world religion. I added pink lotuses into the foreground which are symbolic of the Buddha’s realization.

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.

This painting, like "Open-Handed, Too", is inspired by a statue of one of the six attendants to Tian Tan Buddha. She is offering her spiritual master a plate of fruit. She is a "deva", and is depicted in a Buddhist form. Deva, however, is a term that is used in both Buddhism and Hinduism, and so I call her "gopi", referring to the "gopis of Vrindavan", the female devotees of Krishna.

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.

Ganesh (or Ganesha) is a Hindu deity that I have loved since I was a child. Elephant-headed deities have a natural appeal, don't you think? He is a remover of obstacles and patron of the arts. I depict this image of Ganesh in his garden. Hibiscus are associated with him, one of his favorite flowers. So, I have placed some in the foreground.

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.

This painting depicts the Hindu deity, Krishna. The Rasa Leela is the story of Krishna and the gopis, or female cowherds. One night Krishna manifested himself to each of the one hundred and eight gopis individually and was the perfect consort to each. The gopis have not arrived on the scene, and Krishna prepares to call them with his flute.

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.

In my mind I was seeing the image of a sculpture of the Buddha seen from an unusual angle. I was picturing the ear of the Buddha being prominent, with the face obscured by vegetation. I liked the idea of seeing this Buddha as if you were walking through the jungle and came upon it unexpectedly. Soon after this idea formed I went to a family reunion on the island of Kauai. There I spent time walking the island, swimming, paddle boarding, and participating in a traditional luau complete with hula and fire dancers. I reconnected with the place and the people. On the plane ride back to California I started sketching this image of the Buddha, and something of the feeling of old Hawaii came through. When the painting was complete I showed it to an old friend who had lived on Kauai for many years. He suggested the name "Menehune" for the painting. It seemed perfect.

"Hawaiian legend has it that many centuries ago, the Menehune were a mischievous group of small people, or dwarfs, who lived in the forests and valleys of the islands before the first settlers arrived from Polynesia. These Menehune, who roamed the deep forests at night, were said to be about two feet (60cm) tall, though some were as tiny as six inches (15cm), small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. The Menehune have been known to use magic arrows to pierce the heart of angry people, igniting feelings of love instead. They also enjoy cliff diving, and according to local lore, they were smart, extremely strong and excellent craftsmen. They were rarely seen by human eyes, and they are credited with mighty feats of engineering and overnight construction."

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.

This detail of Green Tara is taken from a photograph of a Nepalese repoussé statue. The metal fabrication, raising, chasing, and engraving work of the Himalayan monks of Tibet and Nepal has always astounded me. They were masters of the highest degree. Yet, they are unknown. Their work is never signed, as they do not work for fame or fortune. Mastering their skills and using them to honor their sacred tradition is their spiritual practice.

Green Tara is a Bodhisattva of compassion and action. She holds a blue lotus as she is associated with the moon and night.

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.

Quan Yin is an incarnation of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. Her name means One Who Sees and Hears the Cry from the Human World. In Sanskrit her name is Padma-pâni, or "Born of the Lotus." She is the goddess of mercy and compassion.

This is a commissioned painting that I made recently. I used sumi ink for Quan Yin and her lotus base. The background is watercolor, with 24k gold leaf. I added blue lotus flowers on either side of her; the flower with which she is associated.

Giclées are printed on Cold Press Bright White paper; 310g, water-resistant, and made from 100% cotton fiber, acid and lignin free.