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Trish DeMersArtist's Statement
Sacred Buddhist Art
Over many centuries, Tibetan Buddhists developed an art form to open passages from the ordinary world to the extraordinary realm of pure wisdom and compassion. Known as "Thangka" painting, this unusual art form is a vehicle of transition from the mundane world to sacred reality.
Thangkas are intended to nurture your path toward enlightenment. The meditational deities depicted embody a particular aspect of the fully evolved, enlightened mind.
"In the realm of space which is unborn, unobstructed mind, forms arise through the dynamic play of creativity: Though these may come and go with the passage of time, to join in the artistic dance is magic unceasing!"
~ Gega Lama
I've been studying the arts and crafts of Tibetan Buddhism since the late 1990’s under the guidance of my mentor and teacher, Lama Sonam Tsering, whom I meet in the summer of 1997 while he was restoring a 35-foot Buddha statue in the garden at Tashi Chöling Retreat Center. The following year I had a wonderful opportunity to observe as Lama Sonam created an incredible mural at the dharma center. In 1999 he began the task of gold leafing (guilding) a number of statues. Overcome with curiosity and awe of Lama Sonam's skill and versatility I timidly asked if I might volunteer and assist him in whatever menial task was needed. My offering was reluctantly accepted and was I given the opportunity to try my hand at guilding. Later that year I began formally studying the ancient form of Tibetan Buddhist art known as Thangka painting.
These paintings are traditionally executed on cloth with natural pigments made from minerals and plants such as lapis, malachite and cinnabar mixed with a natural binder. The themes of thangka iconography are fixed by tradition and are based on principles of expression, proportion and detail. When the painting is completed, it is mounted on a silk brocade border.
Since 1999 I have worked on a variety of projects at Tashi Chöling (Ashland, OR), Orgyen Dorje Den (Alameda, CA) and Tara's Refuge (Mt. Shasta, CA). I am currently focusing my energy, at home, painting thangkas and occasionally guilding small statues for Buddhist practioners. It is my goal to correctly portray the iconic figures of Tibetan Buddhism following the Karma Gadri and Mendri traditions
Please contact me at trish@choyingart.com to commission a painting or visit my website at www.choyingart.com to view my work.
To read a 2005 interview with Trish DeMers, CLICK HERE.
To view Trish's Tangka Paintings CLICK HERE.
Visit Trish DeMers' website at www.choyingart.com.
