Home  >  Blogs  > 2014  > November
All 2014 Thangka News Blogs: Jan 1 | Jan 2 | Feb 1 | Feb 2 | Feb 3 | March | April | May | June | July 1 | July 2 | Aug 1 | Aug 2 | Sept | Oct 1 | Oct 2 | Nov | Dec 1 | Dec 2

Tulku Lobsang

Venerable Tulku Lobsang is a relatively young (born in the Himalayas in 1976) and charismatic master in the Buddhist Philosophy.

Nangten Menlang
His teachings are based on the ancient Tantric knowledge that is the foundation for Tibetan Buddhism, Medicine, Astrology and other healing techniques. He is the founder of the Buddhist Medical Center called ‘Nangten Menlang’.

I had never met him before but my thangka students in Portugal spoke so highly of him that she wanted to meet him. So when he was in The Netherlands this month to share his knowledge, I was eager to go. It turned out to be a great day with a wonderful teacher.

Home  >  Blogs  > 2014  > October 2
All 2014 Thangka News Blogs: Jan 1 | Jan 2 | Feb 1 | Feb 2 | Feb 3 | March | April | May | June | July 1 | July 2 | Aug 1 | Aug 2 | Sept | Oct 1 | Oct 2 | Nov | Dec 1 | Dec 2

Combining Italian Art, Food & Thangka in Venice and Tuscany

Venice
If you’ve never visited Venice and you’re an art lover, I would strongly advice you to go there, as the city itself is a masterpiece! So what better place to organize a thangka course? This combination offers the best of both worlds, and that’s why I offer classes every year.

This time the group of students consisted of Italians, Germans, pople from Czech Republic, Austrians, Hungarians and Dutch people (like myself). We all enjoyed the most beautiful city of Italy, the gorgeous art of the Italian masters, the food, and each other’s company.

The course is held in a typical, old ‘Venetian Palazzo’, set on one of the many canals. Giovanna Carraro of the Shang Shung Institute of Namkhai Norbu organizes it, and they work hard to promote and preserve the old art forms of Tibet.

The ‘Palazzo’ is run by Gabriela & Enrico, who create a wonderful atmosphere and the most tasty lunches with typical Italian and Venetian dishes.

> View more pictures of the Thangka classes in Venice

> Even more pictures of the Venice art classes can be found here

Volterra
The subsequent weekend I was invited to teach in Volterra, Tuscany. When I arrived I saw a beautiful mansion with swimming pool (though it was too cold to swim!). It was set on a hill top, in between ancient olive trees and the typical Tuscan cipresses. The place is called Agriturismo Filettro and it is owned by Silvia Malacarne, who produces her own jam from her prune and apricot trees on the compound, as well as her own olive oil. She also bakes her own bread and offers cooking lessons. The compound houses 4 apartments which can be rented, something I would recommend.

> Check here the next Buddhist Art Classes in Italy

Home  >  Blogs  > 2014  > October 1
All 2014 Thangka News Blogs: Jan 1 | Jan 2 | Feb 1 | Feb 2 | Feb 3 | March | April | May | June | July 1 | July 2 | Aug 1 | Aug 2 | Sept | Oct 1 | Oct 2 | Nov | Dec 1 | Dec 2

Painting Buddha statues with gold and pigments

Lama Dagpo Rinpoche recently opened a beautiful new center in The Netherlands called Kadam Chöling. It’s situated in Haarlem, a lovely old city about 20 minutes from Amsterdam.
I was asked to make some changes to the faces of 3 large Buddha statues, Atisha, Lama Tsong Khapa and Buddha Shakyamuni.

Buddha Shakyamuni, Lama Tsong Khapa & Atisha
These bronze Buddha statues come from Nepal, are made in the traditional way, and their faces were already painted. But during his last visit to the center, Dagpo Rinpoche noticed some things that could be improved.

Both Lama Tsong Khapa’s and Atisha’s hair for example were painted light grey in color, making them look very old! I painted the hair dark blue as it should be.
The statue of Lama Tsong Khapa also had slightly wrathful eyebrows that needed to be changed to peaceful ones, and
the of Buddha Shakyamuni’s third eye (called ‘urna’ in Sanskrit), had to be changed into a dot to be proper.

Concentrated work
Though when I write it down it doesn’t look like a lot of work, but together with some other changes it took me a full day, as I’m working with multiple paint layers and more so: because it’s such delicate and concentrated work.

After the statues are painted, they will be traditionally filled with mantras, images and special substances (gold, gemstones etc.), they will be placed on the big altar in the main hall.

Address: Kadam Chöling, Zijlweg 286, 2015 CN Haarlem, The Netherlands

> Read more about traditional Buddha statue painting and gilding

Home  >  Blogs  > 2014  > September
All 2014 Thangka News Blogs: Jan 1 | Jan 2 | Feb 1 | Feb 2 | Feb 3 | March | April | May | June | July 1 | July 2 | Aug 1 | Aug 2 | Sept | Oct 1 | Oct 2 | Nov | Dec 1 | Dec 2

Exhibition on the Silk Route

This month, in the Hermitage in Amsterdam (a branch from the Hermitage in St. Petersburg in Russia), I visited the special exhibition on the ancient Silk Road.

Not actually a road
The Silk Route, or Silk Road, is not actually a road but it’s a name used in general for a number of ancient trade routes and roads that linked China to Central Asia on one side, and the Mediterranean and the Middle East at the other side.

The name ‘Silk Road’ was introduced by Ferdinand von Richthofen, a German geographer, and that’s why people often think that silk was the only think being traded from East to West, but this is not true.

Luxury goods
Besides silk a lot of other goods were being traded:
– from East to West traveled jade, musk, fur, ceramics and lacquerware amongst other things
– from West to East traveled gold, wool, linen and glass amongst other things

The biggest trade network
The Silk Route was the biggest trade network until the fifteenth century.
Interesting is that besides merchants and traders also nomads, soldiers, monks and pilgrims traveled from China to
the Mediterranean Sea. This was clearly expressed in the fact that not only goods traveled back and forth.

Not only goods
Here’s a list of things other than luxury goods that traveled along the Silk Roads:

• ideas on money
• taxes and administration
• diseases (such a the black plague)
• knowledge
• philosophies
• art
• religions

Spread of Buddhism
This period has been of great importance for spreading the Buddhist Philosophy, especially Mahayana Buddhism to China, Korea and Japan.

> I will offer a series of lectures (in Nov. 2014) on how Buddhism and Buddhist Art spread out from India to other countries, as well as the development of Buddhist styles in the many Asian countries.

Silk – not so beautiful as you think

Talking about silk: did you know that silkworms are boiled alive? They pay such high and horrible price for our ‘beautiful’ silk clothes.

It takes about 1.000 silkworms to make one single silk blouse….

I was very shocked to learn this through the exhibition and I think still many people are unaware of this.
…Imagine yourself being thrown in a pan of boiling water and dying this hellish death… and be then aware that it takes 1.000 cruel deaths to make just one single blouse. Isn’t that sad?

Peace Silk (Cruelty-Free Silk)
Should you still want to wear silk after knowing this, please consider buying clothes made from Peace Silk (also known by the name of Cruelty-Free Silk). Peace Silk allows the silkworm to emerge from their cocoons to live out their full life cycle, which is very important in the Buddhist Philosophy.

> In the Inspiration section you can find more information on animal care and vegetarianism

Home  >  Blogs  > 2014  > August 2
All 2014 Thangka News Blogs: Jan 1 | Jan 2 | Feb 1 | Feb 2 | Feb 3 | March | April | May | June | July 1 | July 2 | Aug 1 | Aug 2 | Sept | Oct 1 | Oct 2 | Nov | Dec 1 | Dec 2

RMA’s 10 Year Anniversary!

The Rubin Museum of Art in New York City -in my opinion the best museum in the world on Himalayan- celebrates its 10 year anniversary.

A big Block Party was organized, with many performances, free entrance to the museum, asian food, and tables to present all the museum has to offer.

I was asked to explain about the old art of Tibetan painting, offered thangka painting demonstrations, and handed out flyers with the Tibetan Art classes I give at the RMA.

It was such lovely and sunny day!

Carmen

> Check out what’s happening at the Rubin Museum of Art right now

> Check Carmen’s upcoming thangka workshops at the Rubin Museum of Art

Home  >  Blogs  > 2014  > August
All 2014 Thangka News Blogs: Jan 1 | Jan 2 | Feb 1 | Feb 2 | Feb 3 | March | April | May | June | July 1 | July 2 | Aug 1 | Aug 2 | Sept | Oct 1 | Oct 2 | Nov | Dec 1 | Dec 2

Thangka painting retreat in Italy

This year people from Italy, Hungary, The Netherlands, England and Singapore came together in this superb retreat place in Northern Italy; the Buddhist Center of Kushi Ling.

Romeo & Juliet
This thangka painting retreat is held every year near Arco, which is not far from Verona, the city where the operas in the open air are held in the ancient arena, and where Romeo met Juliet (you can visit the famous balcony!). Many people combine this annual retreat with a visit to this city or other places in Italy.

Vajrasattva
This year’s subject was Vajrasattva, the Buddha of Purification. His name in Tibetan is ‘Dorje Sempa’.
Beginner students learned how to draw and paint the image of this wonderful Buddha, helped by the traditional grids.
Advanced students were drawing and painting Heruka-Vajrasattva, an image where this Purification Buddha embraces his consort Dorje Nyema Karmo.

In-depth retreat
In an in-depth retreat like this, I will teach you not only how to draw or paint a Buddha like Vajrasattva, but I also guide you through the special meditations in the morning, and mantras that are connected to the subject, as well as all about the symbolism of this Buddha and of  Tibetan Art.

…Meet inspirational people from all over the world and enjoy the great Italian food that is grown organically on the premises!

> More pictures of this Thangka Retreat can be found here

> Check out the upcoming Thangka Painting Course in Italy

Home  >  Blogs  > 2014  > July 2
All 2014 Thangka News Blogs: Jan 1 | Jan 2 | Feb 1 | Feb 2 | Feb 3 | March | April | May | June | July 1 | July 2 | Aug 1 | Aug 2 | Sept | Oct 1 | Oct 2 | Nov | Dec 1 | Dec 2

Thangka Classes for teenagers

Every year I offer Buddhist Art Classes for teenagers at the Rubin Museum of Art in New York.

It’s so wonderful to be able to inspire these teenagers, coming from all backgrounds and religions, through the Buddhas they learn to draw.

I always love working with the teens.
They are sometimes so insecure about themselves at that age and in these few hours that I work with them I really try to encourage them to get the best out of themselves and let them know that they CAN do it, if they go on after the initial struggle (with the grid patterns etc).

And I love how they are so proud of their artworks at the end of the workshop!
And that they all created their own wonderful Buddha, that sometimes even looks like the person who made it.
I also hope that the short lecture I give at the beginning -and that’s related to the Buddhist way of life behind these images- will be of inspiration to them.
And it doesn’t matter what religion you have; being kind to others and reflecting your actions are general values in each religion.

Carmen

Teen classes

[su_content_slider effect="fade" pages="yes" autoplay="3" style="dark"][su_content_slide] [/su_content_slide] [su_content_slide] [/su_content_slide] [su_content_slide] [/su_content_slide][su_content_slide] [/su_content_slide][su_content_slide] [/su_content_slide][su_content_slide] [/su_content_slide] [su_content_slide] [/su_content_slide][su_content_slide] [/su_content_slide][su_content_slide] [/su_content_slide][/su_content_slider]Happy teenagers showing the Buddhas they've made during the special workshops for adolescents at the Rubin Museum of Art in NYC

Letter from the Teaching Assistant at the Rubin Museum of Art that I received after this class:

"Hey Carmen,

Just wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU from myself and the teens! As usual it was a beyond wonderful and magical experience.

Afterwards the teens they kept raving about the time spent with you and exclaimed several times that this work they produced was the best they have ever created and they felt very proud of it.

Thank you so much for your generosity and we can't wait to work with you in the future with the next batch of teens."

See you soon,
Mariya Skurko
Teaching Assistant, RMA

> More pictures of the Teen Buddhist Art Classes can be found here

> If you want to organize a Thangka Class for Teenagers, please contact Carmen about the possibilities

> Check the list of upcoming thangka workshops to see if any teen classes are scheduled

Home  >  Blogs  > 2014  > July 1
All 2014 Thangka News Blogs: Jan 1 | Jan 2 | Feb 1 | Feb 2 | Feb 3 | March | April | May | June | July 1 | July 2 | Aug 1 | Aug 2 | Sept | Oct 1 | Oct 2 | Nov | Dec 1 | Dec 2

Thangka Courses in and around NYC

This July I offered seven different thangka workshops (day classes, weekend courses and a week retreat) in and around New York, at the following venues:

• Omega Institute
  I gave a special Buddhist Art Retreat for the ‘Omega Retreat Week’ at the renowned Omega institute in Rhinebeck, NY. Such a wonderful place! 

  > See pictures of the Omega Intitute thangka retreats

• Rubin Museum of Art
  Undoubtedly the best museum in the world on art from the Himalaya kingdoms. It’s a big honour and always a joy to offer many different classes here.
  
  > Check out the pictures of the Rubin Museum of Art Courses
  

• Tibet House
  For the Shantideva Meditation Center I was asked to offer day workshops at the beautiful space of Tibet House in NYC (founded by Robert Thurman, Richard Gere and Philip Glass).
  In the same week the monks of the Sera Jey Monastery were invited to create a wonderful sand mandala of the Medicine Buddha to collect money for their monastery in Southern India. 

  > Check out the pics of Tibet House thangka courses
  
  

• Shantideva Meditation Center
  Great group of practitioners in the FPMT organization, that I’ve been coming to for many years.

• E-Vam Institute
  This Buddhist Center is related to the E-Vam Buddhist Institutes of Australia and New Zealand and very recently moved from upstate New York to New York City. I  was one of the first teachers invited to offer classes in this beautiful little center and I hope it may grow big and be of inspiration to many beings.
  
  > Check out more pics of the NYC thangka classes

List of Upcoming Buddhist Art courses

Home  >  Blogs  > 2014  > June
All 2014 Thangka News Blogs: Jan 1 | Jan 2 | Feb 1 | Feb 2 | Feb 3 | March | April | May | June | July 1 | July 2 | Aug 1 | Aug 2 | Sept | Oct 1 | Oct 2 | Nov | Dec 1 | Dec 2

Thangka Exhibition & Sand Mandala making

I am invited to exhibit my thangka artwork at Post 21, a space for art & culture, close to Rotterdam (The Netherlands). The exhibition will be from from June 27 to August 27, 2014.

At the same time a group of traveling monks from Sera Jey Monastery (South India), will create a traditional sand mandala from August 15-18, 2014.

You are all invited to check out the exhibition and see the monks working on their buddhist sand artwork.

> A list of my thangka exhibitions can be found here

Home  >  Blogs  > 2014  > April
All 2014 Thangka News Blogs: Jan 1 | Jan 2 | Feb 1 | Feb 2 | Feb 3 | March | April | May | June | July 1 | July 2 | Aug 1 | Aug 2 | Sept | Oct 1 | Oct 2 | Nov | Dec 1 | Dec 2

Portugal Thangka courses

This April I was invited to offer thangka courses in Coimbra, Portugal. Coimbra is a beautiful city, set between Lisbon and Porto. The city is famous for it’s university, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe.

This tangka course was organized by Joao Mattheus and as the majority of students are Buddhist practitioners in the lineage of Tulku Lobsang – they were very enthusiastic about the Buddhas they created, especially as it is such big help for buddhist visualization meditations.
Our plan is organize these Tibetan art workshops in Portugal on an annual basis.

In the evenings the Portugese students -who are very hospitable!- showed me typical aspect of their Portuguese food and culture, such as the traditional ‘azulejos’, beautifully painted ceramic tile work.

> Check out the Upcoming Thangka Courses section for classe in Portugal and elsewhere in Europe

Home  >  Blogs  > 2014  > February 3
All 2014 Thangka News Blogs: Jan 1 | Jan 2 | Feb 1 | Feb 2 | Feb 3 | March | April | May | June | July 1 | July 2 | Aug 1 | Aug 2 | Sept | Oct 1 | Oct 2 | Nov | Dec 1 | Dec 2

Buddhist Art & Temples in Thailand

This month after my teachings in Malaysia and Singapore I traveled to Thailand, to learn more about the beautiful and old Buddhist Lanna Art and to visit as many temples and museums as I could.

Chiang Mai
I went to the wonderful city of Chiang Mai, where I connected with some Thai artists who work in this decorative Buddhist art style and bought some of their artwork as I think it’s very important to support local artists.

Sukhothai
After Chiang Mai I traveled further to Sukhothai, a 13th century Buddhist kingdom. It’s a beautiful ancient temple city that was designated a UNESCO World Heritage historical park.

Khmer style
Eight centuries ago, Sukhothai was under the domination of the Khmer Empire, so the many Buddha statues and temples show the specific influence of the Khmer style, that is famous for the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia.

Bangkok temples
In one of the biggest temples in Bangkok I found these amazing paintings, that resemble the medicine charts and paintings shown in Tibetan Medicine: