Home > Testimonials > Inspiration Gallery School for Tibetan Buddhist Art 2025
Welcome to the Inspiration Gallery!
Here displayed are the artworks that were created by students during the Onsite Thangka Classes and Retreats in Europe, USA and Asia, or during the Online Thangka Art Courses at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art with Carmen Mensink in 2025. You can sign up for the Newsletter if you haven’t yet.
These traditional (but personal) Tibetan artworks were made by people from all over the world, 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?
Mabel
Painting this brings me great joy and comfort
I started drawing the White Tara after my surgery and the actual painting started on day one of the Lunar New Year. Completed today on Day 15, which i...
Painting this brings me great joy and comfort
I started drawing the White Tara after my surgery and the actual painting started on day one of the Lunar New Year. Completed today on Day 15, which is also full moon day. Painting this brings me great joy and comfort during this period of convalescence and I’m so grateful to Carmen for her teaching and generosity.
Mabel
Snezana
Teaching transmitted in an intimate and professional way
As this is my second experience with you, I wanted to try some mixed media in the process. I have worked with acrylic and ink pencils, and I think tha...
Teaching transmitted in an intimate and professional way
As this is my second experience with you, I wanted to try some mixed media in the process. I have worked with acrylic and ink pencils, and I think that these mediums do not convey the delicacy to this kind of drawings. I am very eager to follow your training in Italy in order to better master this very delicate art.
Your explanations during the course are very clear. You were able to transmit the teaching in an intimate and professional way. I really enjoyed seeing your course again.
Snezana
Laura
Every time I draw it I am drawing my own mind
Drawing Buddha was a meditative experience. I really liked learning about its iconography and knowing that every time I draw it I am drawing my own mi...
Snezana
The presentation was exceptionally clear
Thank you very much for the wealth of information. The presentation was exceptionally clear and covered all the essential iconographic aspects of the ...
The presentation was exceptionally clear
Thank you very much for the wealth of information. The presentation was exceptionally clear and covered all the essential iconographic aspects of the White Tara.
So far I have only worked on the face, experimenting with different mixed techniques. I plan to finish the full drawing of Tara during the winter and bring it to Florence for the painting session.
I am really excited about this trip and looking forward to it.
Snezana
Lynn B.
Carmen’s advice was clear and “right on”
I always looked forward to the hours when I could work on my White Tara painting. It felt like White Tara wanted to be created. Carmen with her expert...
Carmen’s advice was clear and “right on”
I always looked forward to the hours when I could work on my White Tara painting. It felt like White Tara wanted to be created. Carmen with her expertise and patience cheered me on past the various problems I encountered. Her advice was clear and “right on”. I can say this humbly and confidently as a retired high school art teacher.
Once again I offer gratitude to Carmen for creating beautiful, thorough online programs.
I wish you all well!
Lynn B.
Jean Choi
I learned so much
This course went beyond anything I could have imagined. I so appreciated your transmission and embodiment of what I know understand is actually a deep...
I learned so much
This course went beyond anything I could have imagined. I so appreciated your transmission and embodiment of what I know understand is actually a deep practice of thangka art. I learned so much and feel so much excitement for your other courses. I hope to join either your Italy or NY retreat later this year.
Jean Choi
Mabel
Also grateful for the background information
I really enjoyed the meditative process and the pace of the course. Also grateful for the background information which enhanced the understanding of T...
Heidi
Stepping into a new world of Tibetan Buddhism released a lot in me
‘Selfie of me and my Bestie-Buddha’
This week I continued coloring, the coat got a new color, he got hair and the lotus flowers are also just finished.
...
Stepping into a new world of Tibetan Buddhism released a lot in me
‘Selfie of me and my Bestie-Buddha’
This week I continued coloring, the coat got a new color, he got hair and the lotus flowers are also just finished.
I really enjoyed this course…
Being allowed to step into a new world of Tibetan Buddhism released a lot in me.
It was very intensive, very educational, but also very beautiful and fun to do this in a group.
Thank you Carmen because this is really your mission!
Heidi
Benetta
Enjoyed the class and instruction
Thank you. Enjoyed the class and instruction.
Ineke
Working on the symbols gave me peace and beautiful insights
I have worked with great pleasure almost daily on the auspicious symbols. It gave me peace and beautiful insights. Because I have already drawn severa...
Working on the symbols gave me peace and beautiful insights
I have worked with great pleasure almost daily on the auspicious symbols. It gave me peace and beautiful insights. Because I have already drawn several Buddhas, I have now chosen to experiment with materials and colors. I want to color the mandala with watercolors. On vacation this week and my work is coming with me!
Thank you Carmen xx
Ineke
Ineke
I have chosen to experiment with materials and colors
I have worked with great pleasure almost daily on the auspicious symbols. It gave me peace and beautiful insights. Because I have already drawn severa...
I have chosen to experiment with materials and colors
I have worked with great pleasure almost daily on the auspicious symbols. It gave me peace and beautiful insights. Because I have already drawn several Buddhas, I have now chosen to experiment with materials and colors. I want to color the mandala with watercolors. On vacation this week and my work is coming with me!
Thank you Carmen xx
Ineke
Ineke
Exciting how it will turn out
Beautiful how all the lucky symbols come together here. Exciting how it will turn out in the end.
Emma Couperus
Combination of all the elements
Inspiring, the combination of all the elements. Still working on it sometimes.
Laura
I live in Argentine Patagonia and that is why I drew Tara in a steppe landscape with steppe animals
Drawing Tara was a loving, meditative experience. I live in Argentine Patagonia and that is why I drew Tara in a steppe landscape with steppe animals....
I live in Argentine Patagonia and that is why I drew Tara in a steppe landscape with steppe animals
Drawing Tara was a loving, meditative experience. I live in Argentine Patagonia and that is why I drew Tara in a steppe landscape with steppe animals. I very much appreciate Carmen’s warm accompaniment. The classes were so clear, the possibility of sharing the process made me feel supported. Thank you!
Laura
Diane Bruyere
I will never look at a Buddha Face the same way
I really appreciated the course. I will never look at a Buddha Face the same way. The lectures on background and symbolism were very interesting and a...
I will never look at a Buddha Face the same way
I really appreciated the course. I will never look at a Buddha Face the same way. The lectures on background and symbolism were very interesting and also the signification of the traditional colours. Congratulations for this course!
Diane Bruyere
Ivy
The lessons were led expertly and were equally enjoyable and informative
I had no experience of drawing thangkas or Buddhist art, but found the process very eye opening. The symbols, despite looking very complex and strikin...
The lessons were led expertly and were equally enjoyable and informative
I had no experience of drawing thangkas or Buddhist art, but found the process very eye opening. The symbols, despite looking very complex and striking are quite easy to replicate which inspired me for starting future projects. The lessons were led expertly and were equally enjoyable and informative. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity, thank you Carmen.
Ivy
Monique Kahman
I looked forward to the next symbol each Friday
This is my final drawing version of the mandala. After this I will work with fineliners and colored pencils.
I looked forward to the next symbol each ...
Snezana
Enjoyed every step of the process
I enjoyed every step of the process and thank you.
I can’t wait to start painting it at the retreat.
Thank you so much
Snezana
Joke
Easy to do and at my own pace
I enjoyed the course on the eight auspicious symbols. Thanks to the clear explanation and guidance by Carmen it was very easy to do and at my own pace...
Nel Bartlema
I could choose my own time and speed
This colouring techniques course met my expectations, and very more than that. The course is a very handsome and espially well thought out lesson mate...
I could choose my own time and speed
This colouring techniques course met my expectations, and very more than that. The course is a very handsome and espially well thought out lesson material and exercises. It took more time than I expected, and it felt I had a real job to do. And so I did!
I loved the instruction video’s, where you show us a proces of colouring and shading;
I could choose my own time and speed to exercise
The video’s and bonusses at the end of almost every chapter
Your kindly and courageous comment
Playing with and looking to colours.
Thank you very very much, Carmen!
Nel Bartlema
Victoria
Something happened Inside of me
Since I am drawing, something happened Inside of me and I am looking forward to find out what it is.
Carmen, thank you for creating a path to thangka ...
Joke
My drawing is not finished yet but I am already very happy with it!
What a special course this has been. So nice to also experience the meditations and the mantra. This way you come into a wonderful energy of the White...
My drawing is not finished yet but I am already very happy with it!
What a special course this has been. So nice to also experience the meditations and the mantra. This way you come into a wonderful energy of the White Tara. My drawing is not finished yet but I am already very happy with it! Thank you Carmen for the great guidance
Joke