Painted Miniature 'Under the Sun, Beneath the Moon'

Staying with the foxy theme, here's a new miniature, measuring 9,5 cm x 7cm.
  It was created using watercolour paper with a variety of watercolour washes, overlaid with pen and ink outlines, and filled in with gouache.

Meditation on Harmony

This little painting measures just 12.5 cm. I used stiff watercolour paper and a combination of watercolours, pen and ink and gouache to create the effect of delicacy, clarity and refinement which the image required. An alternative vision to my recent pyro piece 'Among the Stars'...

Pyro Art Piece 'The Night Wolf'

This small Birchwood rectangle measures just 5.5 x 3,75 cm. I've used it to create a tiny keepsake on a wolf theme....A young questing wolf enters the Forest of Dreams, where he is fortunate to catch a glimpse of the fabled 'Night Wolf' as he sweeps across the sky! Such a vision brings joy and happiness, yet this will be just the beginning of the path our young wolf is destined to follow....

Pyro Art Piece : 'Among the Stars'

This slice of Applewood measures 6cm in diameter. I've used it to create my latest pyrography work called 'Among the Stars'.
  Is fox sleeping..dreaming..journeying..or ascending into heaven..? I leave it to you to decide...

Drawing inspired by Samye Ling - 'Benediction'

My last post was about a visit to the Tibetan Buddhist Temple complex Samye Ling, in Scotland.
  Since that visit I've been busy working on a drawing which attempts to capture the flavour of my time there.
 The drawing has taken almost a month to complete, and here it is!

Samye Ling, Eskdalemuir, Scotland

I thought I would share a few of the many pictures I took on a recent visit to the Tibetan Buddhist Monastery Samye Ling in Scotland. Not only are the temple and grounds very beautiful, but also the rolling hills, woods and river which provide such a picturesque and magical setting. Indeed since my return, as I've reflected on my time there, I cannot but imagine that for a brief time I inhabited a Pureland..
 

Samye Ling seemed to me a realm set apart, where time is experienced differently, birds and animals are fearless, and everything points to Dharma.
   Odd occurrences began soon after my arrival by train at Lockerbie, where I needed to connect with the bus which would take me on the last leg of the journey..
  Somewhere between Lockerbie and Eskdalemuir, on an empty road surrounded by hills, the bus broke down. Having dropped off the handful of other passengers already, only myself and one other were left on the bus. While we waited for a replacement  to arrive I sat staring out of the window, taking in the scenery. All was still and quiet with just a faint sound of sheep bleating in the distance, and late afternoon sunlight casting beautiful shadows. I became aware of some swallows swooping nearby, and suddenly one flew through the open door of the bus, right past me, and out again! A few moments later we were on our way..how strange!
   Nothing prepares you for your first view of the Stupa as the road bends round, bringing Samye Ling into view. Next thing you know, the bus has disappeared, leaving you standing in the road, gaping..baggage at your feet. Two people are sitting casually on a wall by the entrance, laughing together quietly.
   I walk around the grounds, drinking in the beauty of the evening, and new sounds - yes, the unusual experience of a sound I have never heard before..it's a first. It's the sound of the prayer wheels gently and rythmically clicking in their endless motion. A soothing and mesmerizing sound. Swallows are swooping and whistling around the Stupa.
   A couple of hours later I'm lying on my bed, still listening to the sound of birdsong outside my window and wondering what the time is. Strange, my watch still says 8.30. I'm sure it said that some time ago...so I check my tablet, which tells me that it is actually 10.30! The evenings are so light here, I had not realized..and it seems my watch has stopped for good. I wonder what has caused it to give up the ghost today of all days..?!
  I spend the next two days in a variety of ways. Walking beside the wonderful River Esk.. Exploring the inspirational Peace Garden, planting potatoes in the kitchen garden as part of my voluntary work, and of course time spent in the breathtaking Temple itself, The magic of waking at 5.30 am to the sound of the dawn chorus and making my way in the fresh new morning to the Temple for Tara prayers will stay with me forever..
  In the early hours of the day I am to return home, the fire alarm goes off in the building where I and two other ladies are sleeping..in accordance with the instructions on our doors we gather sleepily outside in our assorted nightwear and await the maintenance man. He made all the necessary checks, but could find no fire..and no explanation as to what had set off the alarm. I thought it a fitting end to my extraordinary visit.

Miniature 'Water Bear'

Continuing to explore the bear theme, this small painting measures just 7.5cm, and was created using a watercolour and ink wash on watercolour paper to begin with, The bear design was then outlined in pen and ink. The rest of the painting is a mixture of watercolour and gouache.

'Bear Dawn' Watercolour Miniature

Here is a new miniature painting created with watercolours and pen and ink outlining.

Watercolour Painting 'Yogini's Dream'

'Yogini's Dream' by Gill Rippingale

Here is my latest painting, named 'Yogini's Dream'. Created using primarily watercolours, with pen and ink outlines. The design draws upon my Buddhist roots, to create a slightly surreal landscape featuring Buddhist artifacts such as the Stupa and rock painted with the Tibetan 'OM' symbol and Lotus blooms.

Detail from 'Yogini's Dream'

Detail from 'Yogini's Dream'

The Yab-Yum Tree

This small, nicely shaped slice of Pyracantha (Firethorn) was the inspiration for my 'Yab-Yum' Tree design. In Buddhism, the image of the Yab-Yum 'male' and 'female' Buddhas represent the union of Wisdom and Compassion in the Enlightened mind...

This Pyracantha slice was perfect for my Yab-Yum design

The Yab-Yum Tree

Pyro-Art Piece : 'Breathe the Green'

Here is a small birchwood disc measuring just 6cm. I've used it for this latest woodland inspired design, featuring Owl as the main image, with a small verse inscribed on the reverse side. Verse reads ' I think today I may go to the woods and breathe the green..'

'Breathe the Green' pyrography on birch 6cm

Watercolour Card design: 'Fire and Heat'

Continuing with designs for my range of small square 'Oracle/Meditation' cards..this latest is all about fire, heat, movement, rising energies and inspiration..

Watercolour Design for Oracle Cards

Here's the next design for my 'Oracle' card set, which is one of the projects I'm currently working on. I'm aiming to include all kinds of symbolic imagery among the designs. This one is intended to represent 'Earth'..

Watercolour Design for Oracle Cards

Always on the lookout for new ways to use my illustrations, I recently decided to see how some of my existing designs would look when printed as small cards, perhaps for use as a kind of oracle..
   I was really pleased with the print quality, and the glossy finish, and the cards seemed a nice size for handling and laying out in a spread..so I've now set about designing a specific oracle card range. I'm intending to include all kinds of symbolic imagery from different traditions and cultures, and make up different sets for sale in my Etsy shop.

New watercolour design for Oracle Card set.

  These pictures show the initial trial set, and my first specific design , featuring a tree with runes and the viking 'helm of awe' symbol.

This trial card set includes animals and runes taken from some of my existing designs

My cards are supplied with an organza bag, and feature my 'green Lady' design on the reverse..

'Wheel of the Year' Waterclour Design

My completed design..

I added the eqinoxes and sun and moon...

The wheel shows the symbols which represent the astrological houses arranged as the year progresses through the seasons and eqinoxes

I began my design using a compass..

Here are some pictures showing my latest watercolour design from the early stages through to completion.
   I used a compass to set out the design in pencil, gradually adding the other design elements. The whole design was created using watercolours.

Pyro-Art Piece 'Listening Heavens'

This is my latest little 'Pyro-Art' piece. The birchwood tablet measures 7.5 x 3cm and I've decorated all sides. The main image shows a deer in forest setting with a starry night sky. I used the reverse side to inscribe one of my favourite verses, by Rabindrnath Tagore..it reads :

                               'Trees are the Earths endless effort to speak to the listening Heavens.'

The young deer stands beneath 'the listening heavens'..

Verse by Rabindranath Tagore.

Miniatures

'Runeravens' within Nkuku frame 5cm

'Runeravens' design within a Nkuku frame 5cm

Runes of the Elder Futhark on one side of 'Runeravens' 5cm design

Ravens on one side of my double sided design- 'Runeravens' 5cm

Owl in Nkuku frame. Geese on reverse

This design measures just 5cm

Well as regular readers will know, I really love to work on a small scale. Some years ago when I was immersed in a programme of Buddhist meditation, I did produce some larger pieces of artwork..some as large as A3, still with a high level of detail..but more recently I've enjoyed creating tiny pictures. I love the challenge which comes with working on such a small scale and the pleasure of producing something a little out of the ordinary. Initially I was framing my little circular miniatures in small brass 'watch frames' which I've had by me for a number of years. However, last year I was thrilled to discover these tiny 'Nkuku' frames which are perfect for my tiniest drawings and offer the opportunity to create double sided designs! These lovely little frames are made from glass and brass, hinged so that they open like a locket.
   These little paintings are created using a mix of watercolours, pen and ink and gouache..

'Geese' in a tiny Nkuku frame. Owl on reverse.

  I hope you enjoy looking at this selection of my tiny artworks..

'Magical Hares' 5cm design

Tiny mandala on reverse side of ' Magical Hares'