Work in progress
42" x 36"
"Manjushi"
Oil on canvas
60" x 54”
2016
“Manjushri is one of the best-known and most important of the bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism and is especially associated with the wisdom of awakening. He is often depicted as a beautiful youth, in keeping with the notion of the sense of freshness and newness of such liberating awareness, and is seated cross-legged on a lotus-flower throne, attired in princely silks and ornaments. In his right hand, raised above his head, he wields the symbol most distinctively his, a flaming sword of wisdom that cuts through the ignorance, which binds sentient beings to a cycle of suffering and unhappiness. In his left hand, at his heart, he holds a book, a volume of the Perfection of Wisdom, representing both the source and embodiment of his awakened understanding.”
-Quoted from The Western Buddhist Review
"Yama and The Wheel for the World"
Oil on canvas
60" x 54"
2016
The wheel of life thangka is typically placed inside monasteries. Yama the god of death clutches the whole wheel. Traditionally a small circle is in the center and it portrays a pig, snake and cock. The three cardinal sins of ignorance (Pig), anger (Snake) and lust (Cock). Another narrow circle around the innermost circle shows figures ascending and descending to higher levels and lower levels of existence. The next large circle would portray the six states of existence. In the upper half are the realms of the gods, demigods and human being. In the lower half are the realms of the animals, hungry ghosts, and those tortured in hell. The outer circle represents the twelve states of dependent arising.
In this case the Wheel of Life has been redesigned for the earth, the three inner rings were replaced by an image of the earth in a perfect state. The next outer ring represents cause and effect–gold/ greed, at the top, mining for coal, air pollution, oil fields, nuclear plants, meat/ the production of methane gas, war and destruction, …all being feed to Yama –the Lord of Death. Yama’s claws are dug into the final ring- those most responsible. At the top of the painting the monks are calling you to action. The skeletons depicted at the bottom of the painting, Lord and Lady of the charnel ground represent the eternal dance of death, impermanence of all aspects including the body and states mind.
Oil on canvas
42" x 36"
2015
"White Tara Blessing Nepal"
Oil on canvas
48" x 36"
2015
“White Tara is the sublime female Buddha of health and longevity. Born from the tears of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion, White Tara with her many eyes sees the suffering of the world and vows to help all beings overcome it. She is often invoked when the suffering includes obstacles to health, vitality and long life.”
- Quote from Namygal Institute
This painting was created in honor of the Nepalese people. In 2015 an earthquake of 7.8 magnitude struck near Kathmandu, Nepal killing 8,000 people and injuring 21,000. Never forget the repeated quakes and aftershocks numbering in the hundreds, or the sinking feeling inside your gut for the people of Nepal. The damage stuck Kathmandu Durbar Square, the Bhaktapur Square, the Patan Durbar Square, the Swayambhunath Stupa, the Changu Narayan Temple, and much more. The one hundred and eight candles represent ongoing prayers for Nepal may the candles stay bright with your prayers. The 108 mala beads are utilized for prayers/ mantra / meditation. All proceeds from this sale of this painting will go for restoration in Nepal.
"Wishing blessings on Tibet"
Oil on canvas
71” x 48”
2015
Padmasambhava was born in Pakistan a fully enlighten being. He travelled to Tibet and became the father of Tibetan Buddhism. As you look at the print he is at the top, and a lama is under him raining down blessings. Highly realized beings abide where anything is possible. The sacred mountain Mt. Kaiash is in the left and sacred lake Lhamo Lhatso is on the right.
"Long Life Buddha and the Monks”
Oil on canvas
61.5” x 55”
2014
“Amitayus Buddha (Buddha of limitless life) is depicted in this image in red with a gaze that dispels his compassion of all beings. Above his two hands, which are, being held in a meditative posture is the long life vase, which contains the nectar of immortality. “
Quoted from The Foundations of Buddhism
Since 1959, China has occupied Tibet, half the land mass of China belongs to Tibet. Since then 5,994 monasteries were destroyed, and huge numbers of Han Chinese have been imported from main land China. Prison camps are operating and Tibetans keep disappearing. Tibet has been systematically stripped of resources. China continues a complete lock down since 2008 on two major areas in Eastern Tibet.
In 2013, I was inspired to paint a Long Life Buddha for the 145 monks and young Tibetans that had set themselves on fire in protest of China’s repression. The monks /Tibetans are aware the next life and karma going forward will be more difficult than the life they just released.
"Compassion"
Oil on canvas
63” x 54”
2013
Avalokiteshvara, The Dalai Lama’s current incarnation
“Avalokiteshevara, or Chenrezig as he is known in Tibetan, is a Buddhist deity who personifies the ideal of compassion. He can be portrayed in several different forms, two of the most popular being as a white deity with four arms or one thousand arms. The extra arms symbolise his ability to help many beings simultaneously.”
“The Dalai Lama is recognized to be the earthly manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of compassion. It is believed that this cherished being has been reincarnated again and again for hundreds of years. Our present Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the 14th in this line of succession. Not only has the Dalai Lama served as a spiritual teacher to hundreds of thousands of Tibetan Buddhists, but he has also guided the Tibetan people as a political leader through the tumultuous times of the communist invasion and occupation of Tibet, and through their journey into life in exile.”
- Quote from Namygal Institute
"Wheel of Dharma"
Oil on canvas
63” x 54”
2012
The eight spokes of the wheel represent the Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism, which refers to right view, right thought, right speech, right behavior, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right meditation. This painting represents my struggle, the path has taken many turns and states of being. This painting represents the spiritual path I have walked, some of the moments on the path and the places that supported the path.
"White Tara"
Oil on canvas
64" x 52"
2015
“White Tara is the sublime female Buddha of health and longevity. Born from the tears of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion, White Tara with her many eyes sees the suffering of the world and vows to help all beings overcome it. She is often invoked when the suffering includes obstacles to health, vitality and long life.”
- Quote from Namygal Institute
"Medicine Mandala for the Earth"
Oil on canvas
63” x 54”
2011
The medicine mandala has been placed over a satellite map from google earth. The medicine mandala, sixty-four medicine plants, and the five buddhas collide with space, water, earth, fire, air to restore old growth forests, polar icecap, and species. A vision…will we stop the destruction and what can you do to help restoration?
Oil on canvas
67” x 55”
2011
