Notes - Buddhist Dharma Class

Theravada is the oldest form of Buddhism, known as the "way of the elders."  It is practiced in Sri Lanka, Burma, Laos, Thailand and parts of Malayasia.  The  Buddha lived around 500 BCE.  80 to 100 years before Asoka.

Around 100 CE in Afghanistan and Kasmir the 2nd path of Buddhism emerged.  It is called Mahayana.  In the form deep states of meditation are achieved.  The teachings can be received in a trance state.  Mahayana emphasizes the Bodhisatva.  The bodhisatva postpones his final nirvana until the loneliest blade of grass achieves enlightenment.

In the 7th century Tantra arose.  It comes from Bengal.  Chakras were identified.  There was mapping of energy and linking of yantra to mantra.  There was the idea of the present moment.

The Buddha was from Kapalavastu in Nepal. Kapala means skull and refers to a brainy sage.  Kapalvastu was a place of great learning.

The story of the Buddha reminds us to be mindful of place and the place narrative.  Buddha's home, Kapalvastu, was a place with an abundance of water, rivers and riverlets. Sudhodhana was Buddha's father and Maya was his mother.

How to Get to India with the Monsoon Wind

I am working on my final project for Communication Sketch. I wasn't able to go to the final class because I had to work. This is what my final looks like so far. I am going to finish it even though the class is over. I wish I had already finished and had gotten to the last class but I had to work until midnight. I am struggling with the fact I am going to get a bad grade from the class because I didn't turn in my final even though I know it doesn't matter because I already have an MFA and I am only taking the class for myself. But after years of being trained that grades are important it's hard to shut that part of myself off.

The project is about using the Monsoon winds to get to India. It is loosely based on the Barbarikon chapter of Hymn of the Pearl



These are some rough color layouts for the final that I did the week before but didn't have time to scan. I like the top one the best.

Speed Forms

This is the speed forms assignment. This class at Art Center is good but I feel like it is going on forever. I hope it helps my drawing. I would rather be sketching mountains.

Geometric Forms

This assignment is about combining cones, cubes, spheres and cubes into more organic forms. It took me a billion hours to do.

I thought I made a lot of progress this week with my forms but during crit I was brought to the attention that often my shadows don't make sense. I am often told my forms are whimsical - I think that is a compliment.

Geometric Forms

I have been taking Communication Sketching Class at Art Center at Night for a couple of weeks now. We do 10 sheets of homework a week basically working on the cube, sphere, cone and cylinder.
I have been trying my best although last night I found out I am using the wrong side of the marker paper. For some reason with the Bienfang you have to take it out and turn it to the other side. How bizarre.

I am hoping drawing all these geometric forms will help give more structure to my drawings.