In this newsletter an overview of the upcoming classes Online, in the US and in Europe. And check out the pics and videos of the recent thangka art retreat near Florence, Italy ❤️
The Medicine Buddha (Tib.: Sangye Menla) is the embodiment of all the Buddhas’ Healing qualities, associated with healing both physical and mental suffering. His deep blue lapis lazuli colour and the healing plants that he holds, symbolize his power to conquer diseases and delusions.
In this course you will learn how to draw this Buddha according to thangka tradition.
June 21, 2024 A beautiful evening with Carmen Mensink, where after her lecture on the art of thangka you’ll get to experience it hands-on by learning how to draw the Face of the Buddha according to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
This evening is suitable for everyone, including beginners with no drawing experience whatsoever; Carmen will guide you individually.
During this weekend workshop you will learn to draw (and perhaps later paint) this beautiful figure according to the tradition of thangka (Tibetan scroll paintings).
Guan Yin can be found in the various Buddhist traditions of China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam. She is a form of Avalokitesvara (Tib. Chenrezig) the male bodhisattva of compassion.
The story of how Guan Yin transformed from a male into a female form over the centuries is a very interesting one, and of course you will learn all about this.
For the drawing part you can choose between two different forms of Guan Yin -standing and sitting. Of course you can also just focus on drawing her face.
Join us for the annual Arts Week at the wonderful Omega Institute!
Learn to draw and/or paint a Buddha or Mandala, and enjoy lectures on Tibetan Art during this meditative retreat with like-minded people, at the beautiful Omega Institute in Rhinebeck NY.
Carmen’s personal approach and guidance makes this retreat suitable for students of all levels.
The subject this week is Green Tara and her mandala. You can choose which one you want to work on this week.
Beginners may also choose for Buddha Shakyamuni or Medicine Buddha as their subject this week (as these are better suitable for beginners) but please contact Carmen beforehand if you would like that so she can prepare this for you.
There will be time to make lovely walks, visit the sweet village of Rhinebeck and join the extra eveing programs that Omega offers.
Omega offers amazing meals and you can choose from different places to stay on campus (or off campus).
During this in-depth Thangka Summer Retreat (at a Buddhist center on the Veluwe) you will learn to draw or paint a Buddha according to the Tibetan tradition.
Check out the pics and videos of the artworks that the students have made during this last Italy retreat, and the stunning new location near Florence (that we visited during our day off)Go to the Photo Album
SAVE THE DATE FOR NEXT YEAR: MAY 10-17, 2025
PS Some pictures of the past few weeks:
main building of the new retreat location in Italy near Florence
The beautiful works space of the new retreat location
Florence as seen from the Bardini Gardens
One of my many favorite paintings at the Uffizi museum in Florence: Head of Medusa by Caravaggio. c. 1597
The Anselm Kiefer exhibit ‘Fallen Angels’ at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence
Having a Spritz with Florence in the background
Florence as seen from the Bardini Gardens
After the Italy retreat I visited Vinci last week, the place where Leonardo Da Vinci was born
Save the dates:
Next year’s thangka retreat in Italy is from May 10-17, 2025 The next thangka course in Italy is in Venice, Nov 7-10, 2024 (Registration opens in July)
