Welcome to the Inspiration Gallery! Here displayed are the artworks that were created during the online Eight Auspicious Symbols Thangka Art Course with Carmen Mensink, Edition 2021, at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art.
These traditional Tibetan artworks are made by people from all over the world, and both with and without any drawing experience. Not only express these images the enlightened Buddha mind, they also convey the beauty, love and dedication of the maker. 🙏🏼
Isn’t each and every one of them amazing?
A marvellous experience for me
I have really enjoyed this course, especially the weekly presentation of each auspicious symbol. This helped me pace myself so that I felt able to dra...
A marvellous experience for me
I have really enjoyed this course, especially the weekly presentation of each auspicious symbol. This helped me pace myself so that I felt able to draw and colour the mandala, finishing each week with a real sense of achievement.
The opportunity to share progress with other students spread cross the world via the discussions was a marvellous experience for me.
This course has been a real joy.
Thankyou Carmen
Maxine
I couldn’t WAIT for Fridays to see the new lesson!!
Oh I loved it so much! The history of the symbols, the meditations, and of course, the challenge of drawing the symbols using the grids was so inspiri...
I couldn’t WAIT for Fridays to see the new lesson!!
Oh I loved it so much! The history of the symbols, the meditations, and of course, the challenge of drawing the symbols using the grids was so inspiring. I couldn’t WAIT for Fridays to see the new lesson!! Seeing the work of my colleagues was inspiring, and Carmen’s vast knowledge and direction was incalculable. I feel so blessed to have been able to take this course with Carmen and can’t wait for the privilege of taking the next! So blessed
Kathy Bennett
So many interesting teachings, details, videos and information
Carmen has put together a wonderful online art course. She includes so many interesting teachings, details, videos and information about each of the A...
So many interesting teachings, details, videos and information
Carmen has put together a wonderful online art course. She includes so many interesting teachings, details, videos and information about each of the Auspicious symbols that it is a great introduction to dharma, as well as a deepening for those who have studied previously. As a beginner art student I find this method very accessible and inspiring! Thank you Carmen for another fabulous course!
Emelia Berol
I had a lot of pleasure to follow this classe online
I had a lot of pleasure to follow this classe online.
Thank you Carmen to teach us remotely, your teachings are top quality.
I would love to follow a ...
Carmen is a skilled, creative and loving teacher
This was a wonderful course and Carmen is a skilled, creative and loving teacher. I can’t wait to draw with Carmen again, and hopefully in person one o...
A spiritual journey of growth and deeper understanding
Loved the course
Was a spiritual journey of growth and deeper understanding
Made me introspect a lot without realising it
Thank you carmen
God bless
A great time
Hi Carmen,
I had a great time taking the 8 Auspicious Symbols class. The pacing was great. Thank you for providing the online class, though I hope to ...
Loving way of teaching and easy to comprehend
I absolutely love all the Thangka courses I’ve been taken and this one, with the weekly assignments, was very special. It feels like, as we are learni...
Loving way of teaching and easy to comprehend
I absolutely love all the Thangka courses I’ve been taken and this one, with the weekly assignments, was very special. It feels like, as we are learning the wisdom of the Thangka , we are also receiving guidance to walk thru our path. It seem there’s always a way to apply the learnings , in different parts of life.
The timing was perfect. Starting and finishing on a new moon. Very beautiful!
Im still gonna spend time, with my notes of the course, coloring each of them and reflecting on the teachings.
Thank you Carmen for your gentle way of teaching. It’s very loving and easy to comprehend.
See you on the next class!
Aloha🌺
Camila
The act of drawing becomes the contemplation connecting body and mind
The Eight Auspiscious Symbols and meanings were wonderful. The act of drawing becomes the contemplation connecting body and mind. Understanding flows ...
The act of drawing becomes the contemplation connecting body and mind
The Eight Auspiscious Symbols and meanings were wonderful. The act of drawing becomes the contemplation connecting body and mind. Understanding flows in a way that bypasses conscious endeavour. Teachings flow into the art and it becomes awake.
Katharine Macaulay
Packed with wisdom, insights and lots of learning
Dear Carmen,
Thank you so much for putting together this lovely course and for this wonderful, serene space online. It was a very exciting and happy j...
Packed with wisdom, insights and lots of learning
Dear Carmen,
Thank you so much for putting together this lovely course and for this wonderful, serene space online. It was a very exciting and happy journey for me, these 10 weeks, packed as it was with wisdom, insights and lots of learning, with a dash of humor. Eagerly anticipating your next course. Stay Safe, Stay blessed.
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
Anjana
So much more than I ever expected
This course was so much more than I ever expected, Carmen. Thank you for your guidance and for sharing your energy and enthusiasm. This was a spiritua...
So much more than I ever expected
This course was so much more than I ever expected, Carmen. Thank you for your guidance and for sharing your energy and enthusiasm. This was a spiritual journey too, and it brought peace and quiet during a time when our world had changed so much and we all struggled to cope with the ‘new normal’.
Mariana
Drawing is my real meditation
I really enjoyed this course. I loved diving in the meanings of the symbols and reflecting on them. Although the morning meditations were great, drawi...
The best way to spend “me” time
I really look forward to these classes. I found that it is the best way to spend “me” time. I enjoyed how the course was set up with students gaining ac...
The best way to spend “me” time
I really look forward to these classes. I found that it is the best way to spend “me” time. I enjoyed how the course was set up with students gaining access to 1 module per week. This way we didn’t feel too overwhelmed by all the work there is to be done. It is always such a pleasure to take a thangka class with Carmen.
Teresa McDowell
We need to connect to the object
I always love Carmen’s class, for any art painting, I believe we need to connect to the object, and Carmen always able help me to connect for each subj...
Thank you for your involvement, encouragement and enthusiasm
I have enjoyed this course.
Your great wealth of knowledge and expertise is evident from everything that you offer and show us.
You offer the correct ...
Thank you for your involvement, encouragement and enthusiasm
I have enjoyed this course.
Your great wealth of knowledge and expertise is evident from everything that you offer and show us.
You offer the correct shape of the symbols. But you also give us so many examples to deviate from that (a little) in order to make our own drawing of the symbol that suits ourselves.
Through the reflection and bonuses you give us the opportunity to continue on an inner quest.
It is not just any lesson you give: everything you say, you support it.
I thank you for your involvement, your encouragement and your enthusiasm.
May you continue to accumulate positive energy for the benefit of all beings!
Ineke Zuidervaart
I didn’t have drawing experiences before
Wonderful it couldn’t be better ! A perfect timing where the energy of each symbol matched with my daily experiences in a incredible positive interdep...
I didn’t have drawing experiences before
Wonderful it couldn’t be better ! A perfect timing where the energy of each symbol matched with my daily experiences in a incredible positive interdependence!
I didn’t have drawing experiences before and to take this course as a retreat naturally brought me to enjoy drawing and relax painting!
Great dynamic of a excellent warm hearted teacher.
Bebel Franco
Room to play with the drawings
Dear Carmen
The lessons were really a gift. Not only the drawings but also all your informative topics. It gave me a beautiful overview that the Buddh...
Room to play with the drawings
Dear Carmen
The lessons were really a gift. Not only the drawings but also all your informative topics. It gave me a beautiful overview that the Buddhist teachings and Raja yoga have the similar mindfulness and approaches for transforming our minds.
And I want to say Carmen that you gave us (me) also room to play with the drawings. I am always wondering if it is allowed to play with this kind of art. I discovered that it are beautiful guidelines to start and follow and I also discovered that it is important to follow my own feelings that to be fit into the drawings.
So we can discover our own energies. If we look to our drawings we can ‘read’ and discover a lot of our own minds (and sometimes it confronts 😉).
I have enjoyed every second of this course, and hope to follow more in future. I am also really curious about if you can teach how to páint a thangka in a online course. This is a desire I have for some years 😊.
Carmen I only have complements for you about the quality of your lessons.
Love Gé
Gé van Lieshout-Klarenaar
All of the materials were very useful
I loved this course! All of the materials were very useful, the pace was right for me, and I really enjoyed not having to haul my supplies around NYC....
In-depth learning
Even though I did not finish by far, I really enjoyed working on the 8 auspicious symbols. It was very interesting to learn in depth on each symbols. ...
In-depth learning
Even though I did not finish by far, I really enjoyed working on the 8 auspicious symbols. It was very interesting to learn in depth on each symbols. What a wonderful way of following a course in Covid times. I will color with gold. silver, grey and 1-2 colors max. To all of you; be well and be happy. Thank you for sharing all your inspiring work and thoughts during the course. With enormous gratitude, I bow to you Carmen.
Janneke
Many hours of ‘me time’
Drawing the 8 lucky symbols has given me many hours of ‘me time’. I enjoyed it a lot and, as you can see, I still have some time to go to finish my mand...
A great opportunity to get me drawing again
This was a really great class. I was looking forward every Friday to the new module. I love colored pencil but have not worked with them for many year...
A great opportunity to get me drawing again
This was a really great class. I was looking forward every Friday to the new module. I love colored pencil but have not worked with them for many years. It was a great opportunity to get me drawing again. I also really enjoyed all the lectures about the spiritual meaning of the symbols. So sorry I could not finish the mandala by the end of the course but I will hopefully soon get to it! Very inspiring experience! Carmen, thank you so very much! Your class brought a lot of joy!
Christianna Kreiss
What a great way to focus my mind
It has been an amazing journey with this course. What a great way to focus my mind on the joy of thangka drawing during the time of pandemic. Carmen g...
What a great way to focus my mind
It has been an amazing journey with this course. What a great way to focus my mind on the joy of thangka drawing during the time of pandemic. Carmen guides us through a step-by-step process to compose each drawing. This is my third online course with Carmen. I highly recommend her online thangka courses.
Charlene
I learned a lot about the symbols
I did not have any drawing experience before this course. I Tried not to have any expectations other than of myself, to stick with it every week. The ...
I learned a lot about the symbols
I did not have any drawing experience before this course. I Tried not to have any expectations other than of myself, to stick with it every week. The pace of one symbol a week was great. Every time I sat down to draw was a meditative experience. Some day I would love to do an on-site class to totally loose myself in the process. I learned a lot about the symbols. Thoroughly enjoyed this experience and plan on taking another one next winter. The perfect journey through the winter months of reflection.
Kathy
Didn’t expect that I would like it that much online
Each week I was looking forward to Friday, to be able to start the new lesson again. First delve into the texts and then work out the drawing, great.
...
Didn’t expect that I would like it that much online
Each week I was looking forward to Friday, to be able to start the new lesson again. First delve into the texts and then work out the drawing, great.
Didn’t expect that I would like it that much online, but I did, especially with all the extras.
It was super, thank you.
Wil de Ruiter
Plenty of time to get it all done
While I was really hoping to be able to paint all of the signs still I feel very good about what I was able to accomplish. With the changes in caring ...
Plenty of time to get it all done
While I was really hoping to be able to paint all of the signs still I feel very good about what I was able to accomplish. With the changes in caring for my husband it really shortened the amount of time I was able to spend. Impermanence and change, yep! That said I think the way the class was structured and how Carmen taught , there really is plenty of time to get it all done. The teachings she offered were helpful as well. I really like how there was only one a week to do. This really helped build my confidence in doing the graphs and drawings on a regular basis. I still have corrections to make on the drawings but hope to get to them soon. I’m excited to paint them in watercolor and see them come to life. Always learning more and more going deeper and deeper along the way.
I love that there is no “rush” from Carmen -that only comes from me 🙂 Love love these classes and look forward to more in the future. Thank you Carmen! 🙂
Alaya
Such rich insight into the symbolism and even profound teachings
This course was “thangka healing” for me! I haven’t picked up a pencil in almost 3 decades until last year, starting with Drawing the Buddha Face. An epi...
Such rich insight into the symbolism and even profound teachings
This course was “thangka healing” for me! I haven’t picked up a pencil in almost 3 decades until last year, starting with Drawing the Buddha Face. An epic self-critic and always behind, I just love these courses because they give such rich insight into the symbolism and even profound teachings. It is a pleasure/pain thing. I held off on registering for The 8 Auspicious Symbols – until I ‘received a symbol’ so to speak. A mention of the symbols in an unlikely circumstance. So I signed up.
The approach worked for me. “Many ‘little’ drawings, frequently” is what I call it. I contacted Carmen in a state of despair after the first symbol – the scarves were my obvious path (read: terror). But there they were again on Symbol 3, and 4, and after I realized it, I was drawing scarves without the enormous mental overlay! A personal breakthrough. Don’t ask me to get creative with them, I still go by the models. But one day…!
I’d say it got me used to “tackling the grid” right at the outset, and going right into drawing. I have a strange sense of time, like it’s infinite or something? This got my “hustle” on! It was exactly what Medicine Buddha ordered.
While I can’t profess confidence, I have a LOT less fear of that looming blank sheet of paper. Much like the Pair of Fishes, I just needed to go deeper into the water to get out of the choppy waves of my mind. And….practice practice practice! 💜🙏
Courtney
Clear instructions & two grids of every symbol
The course was wonderful. A lot of information and pictures about the symbols. Of every symbol two grids: one for drawing the symbol separate and one ...
Clear instructions & two grids of every symbol
The course was wonderful. A lot of information and pictures about the symbols. Of every symbol two grids: one for drawing the symbol separate and one for drawing the symbol in a mandala. During ten weeks I have received a big present. Thanks to Carmen for the very clear instructions and for the good care.
Karin Meijer
Learning to draw Tibetan artwork is rewarding
Loved the course. As a lover of eastern esoteric spirituality, Buddhist art has great symbology and of course the 8 auspicious symbols epitomise this....
Learning to draw Tibetan artwork is rewarding
Loved the course. As a lover of eastern esoteric spirituality, Buddhist art has great symbology and of course the 8 auspicious symbols epitomise this. Learning to draw Tibetan artwork is rewarding and somewhat fulfilling. Carmen’s classes are a wonderful route to this learning with a strong foundation in spiritual perspective.
Johnny
An inspiration in many ways!
I do have some drawing experience but found the level of focus and concentration needed for the mandala a challenge! Thank you again for making these ...
Each week I looked forward to the next module
I enjoyed the modules over 10 weeks. I was able to complete more work over an extended period of time. Each week I looked forward to the next module. ...
Each week I looked forward to the next module
I enjoyed the modules over 10 weeks. I was able to complete more work over an extended period of time. Each week I looked forward to the next module. The weekly assignments helped to stay connected with the other students and Carmen. I would love to do a similar course in the future.
Theresa Gaimaro
So inspiring to learn about Tibetan Buddhism
I really enjoyed this class. It was fun to draw and color the 8 auspicious symbols but it was so inspiring to learn about Tibetan Buddhism and to list...
Gained a deep understanding of the symbols
When I enrolled in this course I had little to none experience in drawing. Still I wanted to try it and I do not regret my decision. This course is no...
Gained a deep understanding of the symbols
When I enrolled in this course I had little to none experience in drawing. Still I wanted to try it and I do not regret my decision. This course is not just about learning to draw the 8 symbols. It is also about reflecting and meditating on what you are doing, and learning the origins of the symbols. Even when I didn’t complete the drawings I feel that I gained a deep understanding of the symbols by watching and taking notes of the the teachings, lectures and complementary materials. What I enjoyed the most of the course were the lectures, the meditations, learning the mudras os each symbol and drawing the grids for each symbols.
Alessandra Otero-Ramos
Wonderful journey through Tibetan artwork en Buddhism
Thank you so much Carmen for (again) this wonderful journey through Tibetan artwork en Buddhism. I enjoyed every step, each week another symbol and an...
Wonderful journey through Tibetan artwork en Buddhism
Thank you so much Carmen for (again) this wonderful journey through Tibetan artwork en Buddhism. I enjoyed every step, each week another symbol and another aspect to explore in myself. What is the meaning for me, what can I improve. Some symbols were easy to draw, flowing, others were exciting or I noticed some resistance in myself. And that matched the way I felt about the meaning of the symbols at first. After drawing that changed for some symbols, others have a deeper meaning now.
The teachings, lectures and meditations are very supportive, give a wider perspective of the symbols.
Throughout the course I became more at home in myself, happier and happier.
THANK YOU!
Marja
Not only a drawing class
Drawing is still new to me but under Carmen’s guidance I’ve gained confidence and enjoyment.
The class is not only a drawing class but an exciting jou...
I’ve learned so much and gained confidence in drawing
Dear Teacher, this course was an incredible experience for me. 9 weeks of deep immersion into Buddhist teachings and meditative drawing. I’ve learned ...
I’ve learned so much and gained confidence in drawing
Dear Teacher, this course was an incredible experience for me. 9 weeks of deep immersion into Buddhist teachings and meditative drawing. I’ve learned so much and gained confidence in drawing. I left some of my works little bit unfinished, so I can go back to them and enjoy the process again and again. I will be waiting for new courses to come! Thank you for an unforgettable retreat, Carmen! You are a great Master ❤️❤️❤️
Natalia Melnikova
This was an amazing course
This was an amazing course. I loved that I can draw on a smaller size of paper (A4). It was easier to handle. I wasn’t familiar with these symbols, I e...
I have learned a lot about these symbols and coloring techniques
I drew the symbols separately (and one extra!) and put them in the ‘mandala’ order in the picture. I have learned a lot about these symbols and coloring...
I have learned a lot about these symbols and coloring techniques
I drew the symbols separately (and one extra!) and put them in the ‘mandala’ order in the picture. I have learned a lot about these symbols and coloring techniques. And I am now sufficiently prepared to start drawing the mandala with the 8 auspicious symbols. It was a mindful period. Thank you so much for this course, the explanations, the meditations, your inspiration and not to forget Tara’s 😸 inspiration. I really enjoyed it 🙏
Gerry Hendrikx
Loved the teachings, the content, the artwork, the support, and the community!
I loved the teachings, the content, the artwork, the support, and the community! Looking forward to doing all of Carmens classes!
Many hours of enjoyment from the course
A wonderful investment. I’ve had many hours of enjoyment from the course and I haven’t even added any colour yet! I’m looking forward to spending many mo...
I was so doubtful I could draw these symbols, and then I could!
I was so doubtful I could draw these symbols when I started, and then I could! It was a wonderful experience, and I learned so much. The mantras and t...
I was so doubtful I could draw these symbols, and then I could!
I was so doubtful I could draw these symbols when I started, and then I could! It was a wonderful experience, and I learned so much. The mantras and the meditations all added a further dimension to the drawings themselves and made it feel purposeful. I was able to understand the true nature of mindfulness and just being in the moment when I was drawing. I also found the Colours and Inspirations sections of the lectures fascinating and prompted me to go looking further on the internet. Now seeing everyone’s art in the gallery and the different interpretations I am awestruck at how beautiful they have all turned out.