White Tara Thangka Art Course – Edition 2020

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Welcome to the White Tara Inspiration Gallery! Here displayed are the artworks that were created during the online White Tara Thangka Art Course Edition Sept/Oct, 2020 at the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art (check out the next edition!)
These female Buddhas of Longevity 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?

Grace B. Yap-Kirk

Feels great upon completion

Immense gratitude to Carmen for the course, which gave structure to my process of thangka drawing. The lectures provided meaning, symbolism and Buddhi...

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Feels great upon completion

Immense gratitude to Carmen for the course, which gave structure to my process of thangka drawing. The lectures provided meaning, symbolism and Buddhist philosophy concepts besides drawing with contemplation. Feels great upon completion.

(digital artwork drawn and coloured using Procreate; halos and backdrop are digitally altered images using copyright-free pictures)

Grace B. Yap-Kirk
Wilma Schoonaard

Enjoyed the guidance

Such a lovely, relaxed drawing time. Enjoyed the guidance.

Enjoyed the guidance

Such a lovely, relaxed drawing time. Enjoyed the guidance.

Wilma Schoonaard
Alaya

I loved getting to know White Tara so intimately

I loved getting to know White Tara so intimately. The program was outstanding. Carmen has done a fabulous job putting this together in such a clear fo...

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I loved getting to know White Tara so intimately

I loved getting to know White Tara so intimately. The program was outstanding. Carmen has done a fabulous job putting this together in such a clear format.
An artist with any formal education I do not have and very much enjoyed learning from Carmen her vast knowledge of both art history and Buddhism.
Carmen has always been so encouraging and inspiration because I thought I’d never get this far.
I still have much to color and hope to have it done soon.
Thank You!

Alaya
Peggy Sue McRae

The material is so well presented

Having taken other online Thangka courses from Carmen I knew that it would be a challenge this time to set aside enough quiet time to spend with White...

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The material is so well presented

Having taken other online Thangka courses from Carmen I knew that it would be a challenge this time to set aside enough quiet time to spend with White Tara.
It was a challenge and yet I found the mantra and meditation practices really helped me stay calm during an otherwise stressful time.
I love how this course, and the others I’ve taken, are a pathway back to my neglected Buddhist practice through art.
The material is so well presented I value the whole package. Carmen’s voice has a calming effect.
I plan to use paint this time to finish my White Tara.

Peggy Sue McRae
Marco

Had some but not much experience in drawing

I absolutely loved drawing White Tara. Had some but not much experience in drawing and am amazed how she manifested on paper 😉

Had some but not much experience in drawing

I absolutely loved drawing White Tara. Had some but not much experience in drawing and am amazed how she manifested on paper 😉

Marco
Ferne

I open my mind and heart to the act of drawing, meditating and mantra

I continue to learn on many levels each time I draw a Buddha. What I mean is that not only do I learn technique and skill through practice, but as I o...

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I open my mind and heart to the act of drawing, meditating and mantra

I continue to learn on many levels each time I draw a Buddha. What I mean is that not only do I learn technique and skill through practice, but as I open my mind and heart to the act of drawing, meditating and mantra, I receive subtle teachings about myself – what to let go off and what to focus on – how to expand my horizons. It’s a beautiful practice to engage in! I feel such gratitude to Carmen Mensink and the School for Tibetan Buddhist Art for reviving this ancient practice in our modern era!

Ferne
Peter Prommel

So well listed and clearly explained

I very much enjoyed Carmens guidance, the step by step approach and her love for Thangka’s and their history and meaning. Especially the iconography, ...

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So well listed and clearly explained

I very much enjoyed Carmens guidance, the step by step approach and her love for Thangka’s and their history and meaning. Especially the iconography, so well listed and clearly explained. It was a joyful time for me and for everyone in my house. Thank you Carmen!!!

Peter Prommel
Courtney

Fear of starting is my enemy. Once started, it flows sometimes.

This was a bit of a leap for me in terms of drawing. So many details! Fear of starting is my enemy. Once started, it flows sometimes. I’ve found 20-25 ...

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Fear of starting is my enemy. Once started, it flows sometimes.

This was a bit of a leap for me in terms of drawing. So many details! Fear of starting is my enemy. Once started, it flows sometimes. I’ve found 20-25 minutes on, then a 5-10 minute break before restarting to work best. Otherwise I get too focused in the details.

Speaking of her face – that was an entire day in itself! I wanted her to be look beautiful, not looking like a male buddha. The challenge was the angle – yes there was an angled grid, but 50x65cm is a large canvas so I didn’t rotate. Ex: her smile had to be higher on the right side than the left, given the angle, etc. The many many details was the leap for me – if I was able to do the coloring class maybe I would have fared better? I now understand I need to PRACTICE!

I LOVED the short mantra song you provided. Struggled with memorizing the longer chant (part brain, part foreign-ness), but the shorter one I could bring with me during the day. Singing hits a different part of brain than speaking – brings a felt sense of heart. I just turned 45 on the 30th and I think White Tara was ok w/ me spending the evening getting rid of my grays – in attempt to be a fraction as beautiful as she is. Now that I got the hang of these details, I’ll less afraid to move forward and finishing her.

OH, and I’ve been meaning to share… 🙂 Drawing the lotus petals from her cushion? I always get the sense I’m drawing a bunch of baby’s butts!
Drawing experience – might as well be ‘nil. Some residual drawing showed up from high school, but I haven’t drawn since. Vs the one student who cranks out a full-color thangka in 2 weeks or less. If I’m honest however, my fear of starting the scary new stuff is my ultimate hindrance.

Courtney
Valeria

I am so grateful for this wonderful online experience

Carmen, I am so grateful for this wonderful online experience you have created. I love the Buddhist meditations and information that deepens my commit...

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I am so grateful for this wonderful online experience

Carmen, I am so grateful for this wonderful online experience you have created. I love the Buddhist meditations and information that deepens my commitment and understanding.
For me the combination of my love of art and Buddhist practice coming together in one class is so precious!!
Much appreciation for your generosity in sharing your passions so clearly with deep respect for the tradition.
Namaste,
Valeria

Valeria
Anne Crosbie

Anne Crosbie