Rohmana began her study and apprenticeship of Thangka Painting at Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado, under the tutelage of Vidyadhara Chogyam Trungpa, with the master tikse drawing and thangka painter Glen Eddy, and master colorist Terris Temple.

Thangkas are traditional Tibetan painted tapestries which are designed to support meditation.  They contain images of deities and religious figures representing spiritual and historical events.  Originally they were painted on monastery and temple walls as frescos. 

The making of a Thangka begins with preparing the canvas - a natural fiber cloth that is sewn & stretched on to a frame and stiffened with ( traditionally rabbits’ skin) glue. 

It is then coated with gesso, a mixture of lime and chalk, and smoothly polished with a shell. 

Originally the colors were made by grinding natural materials such as lapis lazuli, cinnabar, malachite, and etc.

 

The painting begins by first making a grid for the basic proportional drawing. Its measurements are achieved by using a small bamboo stick marked with measured spaces. The completed drawing is outlined in black with a brush, ( some of the brushes used for detail are very small having only 3 hairs). The details and dimensions are in strict accordance with mathematical measurements from the lineage school that is followed.  When the painting is complete it is outlined in gold leaf. And finally the eyes are painted.

   

The Thangka is framed with 3 layers of different colored silk brocade sewn together. At the top of the canvas, a wood finial is placed.  Red and yellow cloth is sewn from the top of the canvas so as to be able to fold over the painting, protecting its surface. It can then be rolled like a scroll, and is portable. 

   

When complete the thangka painting is blessed and inscribed with prayers

by the Buddhist teacher. A small window is left open at the back of the canvas

to be able to view the prayer.

                                                                                 Gouache with gold leaf  20 x 26 in  ::  50.8 X  71.2 cm

GREEN TARA

  

Tara is the manifestation of the wisdom, compassion, love and in particular the

skillful activity of all enlightened beings.  Each detail of her image represents a

different aspect of the Buddhist path.  Her green color symbolizes her ability to

act.  Her right hand is in the gesture of granting sublime realizations.  Her left

hand is in the gesture of taking refuge in the three jewels: the buddha, the dharma

and the sangha. Prayers and aspirations are made to Tara the Liberator for overcoming

problems and achieving success.

                                                                                         

                                                                

                                                                Gouache with gold leaf  18 x 26 in :: 45.72 X  66.04 cm

WHITE TARA

 

The Goddess White Tara is an enlightened being who has attained the state called

liberation.  She is holding the lotus in her left hand over her heart in the gesture of

pure compassion.  She has eyes on the soles of her feet, both of her hands and her

forehead - all symbolizing that she responds to the suffering of the world.

Devotional prayers are offered to White Tara for healing of illness and

to promote long life.

                                                                    Gouache with gold leaf  20 x 30 in :: 50.8 X  76.2 cm

DORGE PAG MO

In the Tibetan language a Dakini is called Khadro, which means sky-goer.  The Dakini

is a divine intermediary between the worlds who has access to a transcendental buddha. 

The Dakini can pass insights from the buddha to the seeker.  She has many tasks and

different intentions and therefore can appear as a human being, as a goddess, either

peaceful or wrathful, or she may be perceived as the play of energy in the phenomenal

world.  Dorge Pag Mo (Vajravarahi) is a symbol of her female tantric aspect of the Buddha.

Five of her emanations are known as the five Wisdom Dakinis.

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                                       Thangka Painting / Visionary art  / all rights reserved