Sunday, September 1, 2013

Purity Reasons
Beyond Measure, Keeping Pace
Who Can Tell Them How



Dame Mailarta, 2013.

Monday, August 19, 2013

RTV Room


Basement Suite


Staff Meeting


Taking A Shoe Off


Ink Tagging


James Whitman, 2013.

Monday, June 3, 2013


Her mind is a bird
Everything that I dream of
Wings spread flying free


Dame Mailarta, 2013.

Monday, April 22, 2013


Elizabeth MacKenzie, 2010 (submitted 2013).

Tuesday, February 19, 2013


Torch Song Trilogies
Lullaby of Queens and Kings
I Remember Now


Dame Mailarta, 2013.

Saturday, December 8, 2012


Kevin Immanuel, 2012.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012


Diamond's Beauty
Seduction - Hidden Talents
Beyond Reasoning


Dame Mailarta, November, 2012.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Dear Friends,

Greetings from the foothill of the Himalayas.  It has been almost one month since I arrived here.  I rent a part of the beautiful studio of a wonderful Thanka painter, Karma, and also live there like a hermit (alone with monkeys on the roof at night), with a little bed and curtain protected window.  My Vancouver days fade away as green trees and leaves soften my heart.

While my heart is calmer and stabler being here, sad news of people giving their lives away for freedom, human rights and peace in Tibet increases.  Since I arrived, 5 people have set themselves on fire.  Now the death toll by self-immolation is at 57 (since 2009).  Every time this happens, here, at the core of the Tibetan community in exile, vigils and prayers for the lost precious lives are organized immediately.

There is now a sense of fear in the community consciousness about when this may happen next.  Pain and sadness are always there but at the same time, I realize these earthy, compassionate and courageous people of the land of snows will never give up their belief and devotion.  Suppression only makes them stronger. 

I continue to draw one drawing when a self-immolation happens.  I read news, see  pictures of the self-immolated and make a drawing in a couple of hours.  I've made it a custom and this is one of the small things I feel I can contribute as an artist and human being for the people, land and world I truly love.  The essence of art is elusive, however it does speak its own way and permeates our bodies and souls.  I do not feel it is me who made these drawings.  I believe those who devoted their lives to the wholesome cause moved my hands.

When I draw, I think about life, death and offering.

I hope you have been well and happy at your end. 

Love and Peace,

Tomoyo ( the mountain otter in the cave).

[from Dharamsala, India, on Monday, October 22, 2012]


Crossing


Wishing Tree


4 Rivers, 6 Mountains


Crying River


Dream





Tomoyo Ihaya, 2011-12.