Spontaneous Bliss, Sahajananda Nritya Gita

Namaste! There is a new Buddhist temple in Portland - the first of its kind outside of Nepal - which is also the new home of Dance Mandal. Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, a Newar Buddhist priest, has built a traditional temple right off 40th and Hawthorne. All of the carvings were handcrafted in Nepal by skilled artisans and it has been built in the time-honored way, including the traditional paint. It is astonishingly beautiful and I hope you have a chance to check it out...

On Saturday and Sunday August 2-3 there will be a few celebrations to commemorate the opening, titled "Spontaneous Bliss." The weekend includes a sacred dance performance on Saturday evening by Prajwal and his Dance Mandal troupe and a dance workshop Sunday afternoon. The weekend concludes on Sunday night with a Charya Nritya (sacred dance) lecture & slide presentation by Miranda Shaw. Please check out the Dance Mandal website for more info. http://dhancemandal.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: williamhessian

William Hessian is inspired by "creativity & living forever." He prefers small scale artwork to larger pieces. "Drawing and painting at a miniature scale is the most rewarding for me," he explains. "I enjoy picking a theme and working diligently within the theme." He has been creating his unique designs since since he was 3 years old, "which makes me a 23 year veteran at age 26." He has turned his passion into his profession, although he "explore(s) many more avenues than simply drawing." He also airbrushes motorcycles, paints larger oil works, and draws graphic novels. "Right now, Etsy is helping me survive my 5 week art tour across America," he jokes. "Everything I create I am selling on Etsy and trying to afford these astronomical gas prices." He recommends fellow artists don't "just wait for people to stumble on your work....Go out and promote your work, hand out business cards, send emails...its the only way to make money." Please check out his shop: http://williamhessian.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Potter & Artist: sumiko

Sumiko has "had a love affair with all art forms since (she) was a teenager." Born in Kumamoto, Japan, she began studying fine arts while in High School. In 1958 she traveled to Italy and studied under local artists. She got married while in Naples and "put (her) artistic endeavors on hold while (she) raised (her) family." She eventually made her way to the US and lived in Washington, D.C. and Honolulu before settling in San Diego, CA. "I became serious with art as a student at Miramar College where I received an AA degree in Fine Art," she explains. Later she attended a class at Mesa College and "found (her) calling." She studied ceramics, sculpting, and glaze technology under Dr. John Conrad, a world famous author and a Master Potter. Please check out her shop: http://
sumiko.etsy.com

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Meet Etsy Artist: robinwagar

Painter Robin Wagar has created some of the most ethereally beautiful landscape paintings I have ever seen. She masterfully captures her images in vibrant watercolor, representing a window in time. "I currently am being inspired by a desire to draw attention to world heritage sites that I have visited from my travels," she explains. Each one seems to be a study in color, setting a mood. She has been painting since the '60s and hopes to turn her passion into a full time career. "Turn off the T.V and the media," she recommends, "(and) concentrate on YOUR life and your art." Please check out her shop: http://robinwagar.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com

Meet Etsy Potter & Artist: MAKUstudio

Marianne Kasparian (aka MAK) is of Armenian heritage and grew up on the East coast near Washington, DC. Her love of travel has led her on many cross-country drives through the US - and she has lived in many states. "Different cultures intrigue me in their ways of life and especially their food," she admits. "I’m particularly fond of Japanese (sushi), Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, and Thai food. Of course, stuffed grape leaves (dolmas) and many other Mediterranean foods are always on the top of the list." She worked most of her life as a bartender, but found her passion in raku beads and jewelry 7 years ago. "Raku pottery was made long ago for Japanese tea ceremonies," she explains. "It was modernized later in the Western world into the process you see today. This involves taking a piece of pottery that has been bisque fired in a kiln, then glazed and then firing it in a raku kiln (which my husband and I built ourselves). The piece is then fired to about 1800 degrees F, depending on environmental conditions, and pulled out of the kiln while still red hot. Then it is placed in a reduction chamber (a metal can) containing organic materials such as newspaper, sawdust, leaves, etc. Smoke is created and reacts with the pot leaving the unglazed portion black (a very unique characteristic of raku). It's so exciting and creates one of kind colors which are very hard to duplicate." Her quirky style is often "down to earth and funky." She opened her Etsy shop about a year ago and has cultivated it into a full time job. "(Etsy) has been a great environment for me to grow even further with my art, as well as share my passion with so many other people and artists," she says. "Follow your heart and live your passion!" Please check out her shop: http://makustudio.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/