Oct.1st: Buddha Park 01, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper.

25 km from Vientiane, Laos, Buddha Park displays over 200 large, reinforced concrete statues based on integrating stories from Hindu and Buddhist mythology, created by Luangpu Bunluea Surirat and his apprentices, started in 1958. This is the first of many representations I have planned. I was there in 2016 and took so many photos, intending to do a series of drawings much sooner than today, but couldn’t decide where to start because there are so many interesting pieces and points of view.

Though the sculptures at first seem crudely done – for how easy can it be to manipulate concrete? – the artists have carefully rendered the grace of hands in prayer and portrayed such character in mythological gods, animals, demons, and combinations of all the above. Discovering cows grazing in the neighboring meadow as part of the setting in the far end of the park, it’s a place where the sum of its parts is so fantastic, that to dissect it in any portrayal will not do it justice. Better for you to read this link to all the information about this remarkable human achievement, than for me to only show you snippets of my impressions or try to describe it in words.

Oct. 4th: Buddha Park 02, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Oct. 8th: Buddha Park 03 – Vishnu as Narayana with Lakshmi and Sheshanaga, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

In the simplest of terms and with limited understanding, here’s my guess at what this group represents:  Vishnu with weapon and symbolic items missing, in the form of Narayana (“He who lies in the waters”), is seen lounging beside Lakshmi, his female counterpart. He is mounted on Sheshanaga, a many-headed serpentine demi-god, said to exist before the creation of the universe and will remain after its destruction.

In the complex belief system of Hinduism, literature regards gods, demi-gods and goddesses assuming many forms, with different names and aspects that change with each incarnation. The broad concepts and multi-layered symbolism are only learned by lifelong (or many lives of) awareness, devotion and practice.  Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are 3 aspects of the One Supreme Being, and are principal deities who create, protect and transform the universe.

Oct 10th: Vishnu as Varaha – Buddha Park 04, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Oct 16th, Buddha Park 05: My best guess is that this is Durga, Hindu Goddess of war and strength, protective mother of the universe, eternally struggling with forces of good against evil. She is usually depicted riding a lion or tiger, with between eight and eighteen hands holding the various weapons and objects that are highly symbolic of her purpose.

18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. Work still in progress, clarifying details.

Heber River, BC Canada, 27H x 33W inches framed, soft pastels on paper is showcased in The Artist Space Gallery’s “Landscapes” Exhibition through October, then archived for a year.

Purple Pansies, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper – 27H x 33W” framed

Prickly Pear Cactus, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper – 27H x 33W” framed, won Honorable Mention in Fusion Art’s 10th Annual Leaves and Petals Exhibition and competition.

Prickly Pear Cactus is native to the Americas including Mexico, an important food source for desert animals and for humans, but now threatened to extinction by a cactus moth that has no known natural predators in the US. In 2021, a wasp was exported from South America to Texas to help control the spread of moth devastation.

Haida Design Shoreline Carving, Campbell River BC, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. There are so many beautiful sculptures along the shore here, but no information online about this wood carving. Every summer Campbell River hosts a chainsaw carving competition, so I assume this is one of the pieces created during one of those events.

Foo Dogs, Zhejiang, China, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. These Chinese lion dogs or guardian lions, also known as shishi, are an integral part of Chinese art, architecture and folklore. Pairs are placed by the front doorway as symbols of harmony, protection and power, and in Feng Shui philosophy they represent yin and yang – male and female. The male holds a ball under its paw and the female holds a cub.

Won Best in Show and Featured Artist as part of the award, in J. Mane Gallery’s Elements of Nature 2024 with Moody Weather, Oregon Coast, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. Framed size 27H x 33W inches.

Honorable Mention in Teravarna’s 8th “Color” International Juried Art Competition:

Sumac, Fairy Lake BC, 12H x 16W inches oil pastels on paper, 16 x 20 ” with white mat

Herb Pots, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper, 27H x 33W inches framed size

Orange Milkweed, Kentucky 15 x 22 inches watercolors on paper, sold

Temple of Horus – Edfu Temple, Egypt – Falcon, Ruler of Skies and deity of the pharaohs, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Seasonal Storm, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. 27H x 33W inches framed size.