Chakras, bookmark design

After completing the chakra series of treescape paintings I realized these paintings were more inspirational seen as a group rather than individual works. Each painting was my way of learning about the different energy sources within the human body; together they represent a complete, healthier understanding. I made a small reminder to carry with me and designed a 9" x 3" bookmark. I am offering these for sale on Etsy, thanks to the encouragement from friend and fellow blogger, Eva.

My Mental Vacation

This week the public schools are off for spring break. New England public schools always take the week of Patriots Day off (a New England only holiday), and I decided to take a mental vacation with my paints.

"Sea of Clouds", 26" x 41" watercolor

I used my last sheet of jumbo size watercolor paper and fortunately I can use a frame I recently purchased specifically for this size work. I had done an abstract Treescape in January thinking it would be a new art  direction and decided to frame it. Actually, it led me into the chakra series of abstract paintings I just completed. What I don't like is the lack of structure in this first treescape piece and the "Sea of Clouds" brings to me the warm glow of sunrise. Isn't it terrible how fickle I am - my favorite painting is usually the one I just finished.

The Third Eye

It was subconscious that the last treescape painted was the sixth (and not the seventh), known as Ajna. This chakra represents intuition, insight, and imagination. What is more important to an artist than their imagination?

Ajna, the third eye

The treescape series is an interpretation of the seven chakras from Sanskrit text. A simple translation of chakra is “Wheel of Light”. It identifies different energy sources within our bodies. These paintings are my way of seeking a better understanding of whole self. They also represent the forest of thoughts constantly running through my mind.

The compositions are free-flowing and chaotic. Layers of color between exposed white paper and a tape resist transport me into an awareness of the seven energy sources as each painting develops.

My goal was to achieve sound body and mind with each painting. I am able to identify where I have strengths, and where I have weaknesses. This awareness is the first step toward living a more complete, satisfying life.

"1000 Trees", The Seven Chakras

I am excited to start a new painting, another large landscape inspired by the Huangshan Mountains. There is a wonderful feeling I strive to create when I see the amazing combination of heavenly sky converging into dramatic, mountainous land.

Manipura, solar plexis

The third chakra, Manipura

"He who knows others is learned;
He who knows himself is wise."

Lao-tzu, Tao te Ching


I have one remaining chakra to paint in order to complete the series, The Third Eye. You can read about treescapes HERE 

Yellow, the third chakra

Yellow is everywhere this time of year. It's the first sign of spring flowers on local forsythia bushes. It's the color I bring into my home that makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

It's the color I am drawn toward when I am painting landscapes, and it's one of the most challenging colors to maintain when using the watercolor medium.

   

      

Yellow represents the third chakra, Solar Plexis. It is symbolic of identity and inner strength. It is the color of self-definition. 

Lately, I have felt "out of it", defined by chakras as out of alignment. I have been unable to complete the third chakra painting in my Treescape series however I am hopeful that will change soon. The composition is set, all that's missing is the yellow, the color of ego.

I have been organizing for upcoming show submissions, deciding which pieces will go where, and making sure I don't submit the same piece to different shows that overlap. I am trying to prepare for what could end up as a whole bunch of rejection. I feel vulnerable. I am still at war with the inner critic, and the truth is, I don't think I will ever peacefully co-exist. 

Huangshan Mountain Landscapes

Yesterday was my third and final Saturday of teaching watercolor at Montserrat College this spring. Today I was able to finish demos from class. Inspiration came from the early morning sunrises and amazing rock formations, crevices, and tree growth in the Huangshan Mountain region of China.

Mountain Sunrise, 18" x 24

Morning Shadows, 18" x 24"

Workshop Awareness

The past two Saturday's I have been teaching a watercolor workshop at Montserrat College. The class is small, 5 students total, which makes for more time to give individualized help. Unfortunately, I have not been "turned on" by my demo work this session. I decided to do some homework and I plan on bringing in "Crevices" to the last class this Saturday. It exemplifies several of the techniques I have been teaching and because I worked dryer, the painting looks a little different from my usual. I continuously used 2 brushes - one wet with water, the other wet with pigment, and was able to move and contour the crevices in a more dramatic way.

"Crevices", 24" x 18" watercolor on paper

At home this weekend I also completed one of my demo paintings by adding spatter to brighten what was a too subdued Buddha bust. I am happier with this piece now that I added color.

"Seven Chakras" 16" x 12" watercolor on paper

The meditative mood conveyed in this painting ties into all of the chakra treescape paintings by use of colorful spatter representing each chakra level and is going to be an addition to the series. 

My students let me photograph what they were working on in class this past Saturday (some are works in progress) and as you can see there is a wide variety of style.

Following One's Heart

The 4th primary chakra is the heart chakra also known as Anahata. This chakra represents one's ability to make decisions by following your heart rather than letting unfulfilled emotions cloud judgement.

"Anahata", 22" x 30", watercolor on paper

I have never been religious or spiritual consciously, but over time I have come to realize that making art inspired by Buddhist philosophy (and science) can bring a deeper meaning to what I do. Several years ago when my life was upside down and I was moving toward the life changing decision of filing for divorce, I became a student (briefly) of Buddhism. At that time I was focused on basics and understanding myself better, Buddhism made sense to me. Now, I am back to creating art with the intention of finding a better understanding in my every day life through the logic of Hindu Tantric Chakra studies. Seeing the biophysical and spiritual correlation to our bodies and minds, and using that knowledge to live a more complete, fulfilling life, is something to embrace. These Chakra paintings have become my reminder. 

I have 2 more chakras to paint in order to complete the series and with each piece I have experienced a renewed awareness. Sitting and planning out the composition of the trees with painters tape, ripping piece after piece, small and large strips, has become a rhythmic and soothing routine. These paintings are therapuetic and I am happy to be sharing them.

Root

It's been a busy seven days. I met with an editing consultant last week, the morning after I attended an artist talk about sketch books, journaling and book making. I realize now that I want to create an art book featuring my paintings (rather than writing the story that led me into the art world). I have already used apple software to design books and I am currently exploring blurb. The hardest part of this project will be filtering down and choosing what pieces I want to include.

Red was the color of today, I completed the 4th chakra painting (I am still not sure if I will use the turquoise painting, "Vishuddha", because I don't want the owl to be a distraction and may do another version for the series).

The root chakra known as Muladhara, symbolizes our ability to ground ourselves to the physical world.

"Muladhara", root chakra, 22" x 30" watercolor

other chakra paintings to date -

Swadhisthana, sacral chakra

Vishuddha, throat chakra

Sahasrara, crown chakra

7 Chakras

Something interesting has happened with the Treescape series I started last week, I have made sense out of it (don't you love when that happens!) by using the Chakra system as a guide. I am not too informed when it comes to meditation, holistic healing, or yoga, and I have been using the internet to learn more. The colors associated with the energy force in each body region have inspired me and I am going to incorporate the violet and orange treescapes from last week with the five remaining chakra colors to create a series of seven paintings. The end result will be "1000 Trees", each painting will be an extension of the next. The Crown Chakra also known as Sahasrara, is usually represented with 1000 petalled lotus; it is the state of mind equivalent to pure consciousness.

7 Chakras, a study

In my sketch above, you can see how I painted a model with notes so that I would remember which colors were associated with specific body regions. Rather than using circular energy forms to represent the chakras, I am painting trees. Lots and lots of trees. I will have time to work on more treescapes this weekend and now that I know what direction I am moving toward, it feels good. Once all seven paintings are hanging side by side, viewing them will feel like a journey.

On a separate note, has anyone else noticed the new format for blogspot? It took me a while to figure out what was going on, and I had to download picasa in order to manage photo storage space. There are also new features I will have to learn, don't you just love technology and it's never ending "improvements"?!