When life gives you lemons, draw them, 11 x 14 inches dry pastels, graphite on paper

"When life gives you lemons, draw them." (Nikki)

"Color! What a deep and mysterious language." (Paul Gauguin)

illustration

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Buddha Park, Laos

Monday, October 21st, 2024


 

Buddha Park 01, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

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

Right detail of Buddha Park 01, soft pastels on paper25 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.


 

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


 

Buddha Park 03, 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.


 

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


 

Durga, Hindu Goddess of War and Strength, 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.


 

Oct. 21st: Buddha Park 06, Airavata, Hindu elephant deity or also known in Thailand as Erawan with Indra. Work in progress:

             
  Buddha Park 06, phase 01 - Airavata, Hindu elephant deity or Thai: Erawan with Indra   Buddha Park 06, phase 02 - Airavata, Hindu elephant deity or Thai: Erawan with Indra   Buddha Park 06, phase 03 - Airavata, Hindu elephant deity or Thai: Erawan with Indra  
  Phase 01   Phase 02   Phase 03  
             

Temple of Horus

Wednesday, September 18th, 2024


 

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

Haida Design Woodcarving

Sunday, May 19th, 2024


 

Haida Carving along shoreline trail Campbell River BC, 10H x 6W inches soft pastels on paper
Haida Design Woodcarving along shoreline trail Campbell River BC, 10H x 6W inches soft pastels on paper

Animals of the Planet 2024

Monday, April 29th, 2024


 

Feeding Cockatoos at Apollo Bay, Australia, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Exhibizone Badge for Animals of the Planet 2024Feeding Cockatoos at Apollo Bay, Australia, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper, drawn and originally published on Jan. 3rd, 2021. 27H x 33W” with white mat and custom-built white wood frame with crackle finish.

Showcased online in Exhibizone’s Animals of the Planet 2024 April 29th through June 29th.

Signs and Symbols

Wednesday, January 10th, 2024


 

Magic Hour, 60H x 40W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas

Showing in Gallerium Art’s Signs and Symbols January 10 – March 10, 2024: Magic Hour (Gitxsan Totem Pole, Thunderbird Park, Victoria, BC Canada), 60H x 40W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas. Wrapped sides painted, sturdy home-built stretcher frame, navy blue narrow wood trim finishes the sides.

 

The Strawberry

Saturday, June 10th, 2023


 

The Strawberry, 24H x 18W inches graphite on paper

The Strawberry, 24H x 18W inches graphite on paper.

Time

Thursday, June 1st, 2023


 

The Hands Of Time, 27H x 33W inches graphite on paper

'Time' Exhibition certificate
The Hands of Time, 27H x 33W inches graphite on paper.

Showcased in Biafarin – Exhibizone’s “Time” online exhibition June 1st – Aug. 1st, 2023.

Precious

Wednesday, May 31st, 2023


 

Young Howler Monkey, 11H x 11W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas (2006)
'Precious' exhibition certificateYoung Howler Monkey (2009), 11H x 11W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas. Hang on a wall or display on flat surface.

Showcased in Exhibizone’s “Precious” International Online Group Exhibition June 1st – July 31st.

Also previously showed in Biafarin / Exhibizone ‘Kingdom Animalia 2022’July 1-2022 To July 31, 2022.

Gone Wild 2023

Thursday, May 4th, 2023


 

Bearded Dragon, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Bearded Dragon (2021) roaming the City Botanic Gardens, Brisbane, Australia – 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on 90 lb watercolor paper. Framed size 27H x 33W”.

Showcased in Las Laguna Art Gallery’s “Gone Wild 2023” May 4th – 27th, 2023.

Tobias – Jia Xin

Thursday, April 6th, 2023


 

Tobias - Jia Xin, born March 9th, 2023 - 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Sweet Dreams,  18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper.

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