I photographed this Saddhu, or Holy man, seated on the steps of a Hindu temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, as he sat quietly observing the events of the day. Later, I contemplated the image and the busy background in the photo and began to consider the composition. At that moment, the Muse appeared, and I had a very clear flash come to mind of an image from our 1995 expedition to climb 28, 250’ Kangchenjunga, in eastern Nepal. It struck me immediately as the perfect background for this painting, although I did not, as yet, understand the significance. The finished piece tells the story of a mystic, who has completed his homeward journey, taking every step assigned him along the way. He gazes serenely into the distance, his view is now unobstructed by illusions… his vision is infinite. Only the “Final Step” remains, the step from form back into formlessness.
“Bliss” is the second painting I did of local yoga instructor, Kari Svenson. I was initially interested in the yoga poses she was doing and had planned to paint her full figure in a pose. However, as I studied the photos later in the studio I became more captivated by the expression of bliss on her face rather than the vehicle that brought her to it. I chose to focus the painting on her elevated state.
When I paint a portrait, I am looking for the spirit or the spiritual essence of my subject. Sometimes, that essence seems a little closer to the surface than others.
I asked Kari Svenson, a local yoga instructor, to demonstrate several yoga poses for a photo shoot. When considering the photographs, in my studio, an image came to mind of the many Thangka paintings I have seen in Nepal and Tibet, in which, a deity or bodhisattva is depicted with multiple arms such as ‘The Green Tara” or Samaya Tara Yogini. I found this composition to be an unusual and interesting updated version. The impression that comes to mind when I think of Kari is that she smiles easily!
I asked Kari Svenson, a local yoga instructor, to demonstrate several yoga poses for a photo shoot. When considering the photographs, in my studio, an image came to mind of the many Thangka paintings I have seen in Nepal and Tibet, in which, a deity or bodhisattva is depicted with multiple arms such as ‘The Green Tara” or Samaya Tara Yogini. I found this composition to be an unusual and interesting updated version. The impression that comes to mind when I think of Kari is that she smiles easily!
The subject for ‘OM” is a Saddhu, or Hindu Holy man, who I came across one day while exploring the streets of Kathmandu. He is a practitioner of yoga and meditation. Although he spoke no English, it was clearly understood what I wanted when I asked for his photo. He smiled and gladly posed while making this common gesture with his hand. It is the gesture for the word “OM” which is one of the most common chants to Buddhists and Hindu’s alike. It is said to be the sound of the Universe. What I found most striking in this man was his penetrating gaze, which I felt revealed the strength of his soul.