Space, and Things - Koi Series

In yoga, "resting is as important as doing," in painting, space is as important as things.

The fish can graciously swim in a big body of water; the bird can fly high in the vast sky. Things are active, but space is supporting. We often ignore the space since it is passive. But it is where life can happen. All things exist in the space.

This painting: Koi Fish - is a giclee print from one of my original Koi Fish Series. The original painting is done with ink and acrylic on rice paper, mounted on acid-free paper (some larger ones on canvas). Here I am playing with the space. Marks and space. Active and passive. Where there is a harmony it would come from the relationship between space and things.

Love needs space; love is space.

Dance with Me

It is a cold day. Let's dance, dance with me. Dance with this element of frozen water; dance with the winter brisk air; dance on the hard, icy ground. The wind can be cold, but the heart can be warm. Dance with  a warm, moist human heart. It is warm and kind always, deep within.

Chinese calligraphy: "Dance; Dancing", 舞, in cursive (grass) style with a flowing movement. Original work. Unframed. Black sumi ink on textured rice paper. 12" by 16". Signed with the seal of the artist.


Purchase this original calligraphy

Windhorse

Chinese calligraphy: "Windhorse, 風馬, Chi", in cursive style (also called "grass script"). If you have good "windhorse" (in Tibetan), which is good energy, good chi, you will have vitality, and, you will be able to accomplish everything. Original work. Unframed.

As Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche explains: 
"In the warrior teachings of Tibet, windhorse, or lungta, means vitality. When we have windhorse, our life moves forward in the way we want. On the inner level, windhorse is connected with good life-force energy, which is connected with being able to have a proper feeling for our mind. If we have the ability to feel at home in our mind and direct it, the mind becomes a support and a friend. If we are unable to harness the mind, it becomes a nuisance to us, aggravating our lives with worry and bad dreams. It can even make us sick. Happiness comes from actions that take us forward.

To move forward in daily life, we must be steady and brave. To create this bravery inside, we must learn how to handle our mind. Knowing this, the warrior practices meditation every day to know the mind and harness its energy for the good of all."

Middle Way

Chinese calligraphy: "MIddle Way", in semi-cursive style (also called "Running Script"). "Middle Way" is the best way; a balanced way. Original work. Unframed.

According to Sakyong Mipham Rinpche's book: "Ruling Your World":

"People often mistakenly think that middle refers to the way between the two extremes of eternalism and nihilism, between existence and nonexistence. But middle refers to the fact that this approach surpasses existence or nonexistence. It is a balanced view.

According to this view, things exist on a relative level—we have a name and an address, and the car we drive takes us to a restaurant. The objects of our sense perceptions—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch—appear, but they are not inherently permanent. On an ultimate level, they are as ephemeral as last night’s dream. They are beyond the hope and fear of eternalism and nihilism, beyond the concepts of real or not real, existing or not existing."

Koi Series

I did a whole body of artwork that is inspired by the Koi fish - It is tremendously fun! The color, pattern and majesty of Koi are truly amazing.

Gentle pattern and color - all elements are interconnected.

The original work is done with ink on rice paper, mounted on another thicker acid free paper. 6 x 10 in.

Booger!

Art could be for fun! It doesn't need to be always so serious, so ambitious... We can be a child and get surprised by little things! What a joy!

Chinese calligraphy: Booger - 鼻屎！Written as requested. 4 by 6 inches. Mixed media on wood panel.