LOTUS BUDDHA

Like most people I know, I have been thinking about the recent catastrophic events in Japan. And I have been sending positive energy that way and joining with everyone I know in visualizing a positive outcome to the nuclear situation and help for all the people there who are suffering during this crisis.
I just recently finished this Lotus Buddha painting, which is all about Transformation and Transmutation both much needed at this time. So I thought it was a good time to post the image and share it with you all out there in the blogosphere.

I also have some GOOD NEWS to share: I have been working on a NEW WEBSITE......and I am almost finished. A bit more tweaking, some photos need to be redone and few other things. It is all very exciting. It is a completely new look---very easy navigation and has ALL my work on it, from paintings to prints to cards and magnets and ceramics. I also have a shopping cart, so now it is easy to stock up on cards or magnets---or even purchase a painting! If you want to go take a peek, the address is the same as my previous website: http://christinedecamp.com

MORE FRESH PAINT

"Buddha with Fallow Deer #2"
This is a 12" x 12" canvas--acrylic paint & gold leaf. It was another one that has been hanging around in a half finished state for awhile. I have been doing a series of these Buddhas, some with images of the magical non native deer that used to roam this area before they were exterminated by the National Park Service for the crime of "not belonging". I was deeply involved in a struggle to stop this annihilation, but animals are not that important to most people, and certainly not to politicians and government employees. So we did not succeed. My hope is for a world where all animals and forms of nature are given the respect and equality of importance that they deserve.
The deer's antlers are like images of the hands of the Buddha. And the juxtaposition of the Buddha head in between the deer antlers reminds me of Medieval Christian images of "The Vision of Saint Eustace", who, while out hunting, had a vision of a stag with a crucifix between its antlers---and as a result was converted to Christianity. There is a great painting by Pisanello on this subject, done on wood in egg tempera in the 1400's.

THE SHORTEST MONTH

February has FLOWN by, just like this Crow friend above. I have been reorganizing and cleaning the studio a bit, after bringing my ceramic equipment home from Jackie's studio. She is doing really well--healing from her accident & we hope to share a ceramic studio again in the not so far future. In the meantime, I have a good kiln's worth of bisque work that needs to be glazed, which I haven't gotten to..............and some paintings that are crying out to be worked on as well.

But, on the positive side, I have gotten my taxes sent off to my accountant--so I no longer have that hanging over my head.

I have been coerced into chairing the Publicity Committee for our Point Reyes Open Studios group. It's a lot of work, but I'm hoping to be organized enough to get it done smoothly. It's quite a learning curve for me, and I started working on the committee last fall.

Lots of things coming up---and I have started doing the Farmer's Markets again. Check the sidebar for my March schedule.

I am very pleased that I have been doing quite well selling my new ceramics! Just started taking them to the markets.

The paintings pictured above are ones I finished in the fall. All are acrylic on canvas and are either 9 x 12 size or 11 x 14 size. From the top:

"Buddha with Poms" $275

"Crow with Poms" $325

"Flying Crow with Persimmons" $325