Monday, November 17, 2014

In Tara's Garden



In Tara's Garden
9.5 x 15.75 inches
ingredients: vintage book cover, image transfers, acrylic ink, Derwent watercolor pencils, cut-outs, metallic pens, Pitt artist pens, monotype, woodblock prints, found objects, brads






Tara is known primarily as the Tibetan Buddhist bodhisattva (enlightened being) of compassion and action.  According to Wikipedia, "Tārā came to be seen as an expression of the compassion of perfected wisdom... Tārā is also known as a saviouress, as a heavenly deity who hears the cries of beings experiencing misery in sansara (the cycle of suffering, death, and re-birth)."



Tara is one of the earliest known dieties; her origins are not entirely clear, but some scholars believe she may come from pre-Buddhist animist religions in Tibet. She has many different forms or aspects, of which Green Tara is one of the most popular. Green Tara (Khadiravani) is usually associated with protection from fear.



According to wildmind Buddhist meditation, "Green Tara is a forest goddess, and in one story is shown as being clad in leaves. Her Pure Land, in distinction to others that are composed of precious gems, is said to be lush and verdant:
Covered with manifold trees and creepers, resounding with the sound of many birds,
And with murmur of waterfalls, thronged with wild beasts of many kinds;
Many species of flowers grow everywhere.
She is therefore a female form of the "Green Man" figure who is found carved in many European churches and cathedrals, and who is found in the Islamic traditions as the figure Al-Khidr."
























15 comments:

  1. tara , déesse de la forêt... sharmon, déesse de collage!

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    1. Wow, what a lovely compliment; thank you so much, Elfi.

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  2. I had never heard of Tara and you bring her to life so beautifully. Love how you integrate the narrative with the materials- magical.

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  3. I agree with Janet...truly stunning! Your post was also so educational!

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    1. Thanks for the kind comment! I guess it's the teacher in me (my day job), Julie... I always feel I should pass along some information whenever I can.

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  4. so fabulous, great subject and the texture and colors are superb... great work...

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    1. Thanks for the good words, Cat; so glad you like it! xo

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