Sacred Art Weekend Painting Course with Andy Weber
Presented by One Earth Sacred Arts & Mystic Art Retreats 12-14 April 2024 in Berkeley, California USA
Kurukulla: goddess of Enchantment (Tib: Rig.chen.ma, the 5th of 21 Taras)
The mandala of Kurukulla was brought to Tibet by Atisha Dipamkara in the 11th Century and was popular in the early Kadampa school. This goddess is a female Buddha who is considered to be an emanation of goddess Tara, symbol of the active enlightenment. Kurukulla’s form is associated with stability and success in worldly matters, as well as magical powers, such as subjugating evil powers, personal enemies and attracting material wealth. Her three eyes stare into the past, present, and future. With her four arms and ritual ornaments, she hooks whatever sentient beings desire.
To Register:
https://oneearthsacredarts.com/store/pcat-oesa-events
Description of Workshop
This is a tremendous opportunity for in-person study with a life-long practitioner and international instructor with decades of teaching experience. Mr. Weber is one of the most knowledgeable teachers of Tibetan Thangka art available to the public. It is rare for an instructor of this calibre to offer “drop-in” classes that require such a short time commitment.
Everyone is welcome to attend the Friday night lecture and meditation, which can be paid for separately. The weekend painting workshop is oriented towards experienced artists, and includes the Friday night event. We strongly urge students to attend all three days.
Our venue is a lovely private home in the Berkeley hills, with views overlooking flowering trees, the San Francisco Bay, and Mount Tamalpais. There is abundant natural lighting indoors. Space inside is very limited, but there are extensive outdoor patios and elevated decks. This hillside house has many stairs and no ramps, so folks with mobility issues should beware.
Each session begins with chanting to invoke divine guidance and protection. The Friday evening lecture explains the historical, spiritual, and artistic significance of Kurukulla’s traditional dancing form. There will also be a group mediation to receive the goddess’s blessing for the creation of her icon. During the day-time classes, students are guided through the meticulous steps for drawing and painting the goddess in the traditional manner. Andy would like students to work with natural pigments on stretched canvas, if possible. Gouache painting on watercolour paper is an ideal substitute, but other media (such as watercolor, acrylic paints, or digital pads) are welcome.
Each student receives an instructional paper packet (A3 size) free with registration. This includes large pages with diagrams and drawings giving every detail of the proportions, posture, expression, and ornaments of the goddess. Students are lead through a meticulous step-by-step process for creating a stunning alchemical work of sacred art in the traditional Tibetan Thangka style. This weekend will focus on “Mar.tang” style of painting, which means gold lines on a red background. Also called “Tsel tang“, after the red vermillion pigment used in the paintings. For those willing to make the extra investment, Andy will give instruction on how to make real gold paint from gold leaf.
Students must bring their own tools and materials. A list will be provided after registration. Folding tables and wooden chairs will be provided, but students are welcome to bring their own. Colour posters, postcards, and fine art prints of Mr. Weber’s work will be available for purchase directly from the artist after each class.
Schedule
APRIL 12 (Friday): Evening Lecture and Meditation
19:00 pm – 20.30 pm
APRIL 13 & 14 (Saturday & Sunday): Painting Workshop
10:00 am – 13:00 pm, (Lunch 1-2 PM), 14:00 pm – 17:00 pm
Instructor Biography
England-based devotional artist Andy Weber spent eight years in India and Nepal studying the iconographic art of Tibetan Buddhism under the guidance of accomplished masters in northern India and Nepal. His unique style is highly respected not only by the growing number of western Buddhists but also by many Tibetan lamas who have commissioned his work. His work has appeared throughout the world in many Buddhist temples, numerous publications and exhibitions.
Mr. Weber divides his time between teaching and lecturing all over the world, painting and drawing for various projects. He is also the artist and co-author with Jon Landaw of the book “Images of Enlightenment” and has published numerous instruction manuals. Andy taught at Lancaster University for 9 years, and one of his paintings ended up at the Potala palace in Lhasa.
WEBSITE
His artwork and teaching schedule can be accessed through his website: www.andyweberstudios.com
SOCIAL MEDIA:
https://www.facebook.com/AndyWeberStudios/
https://www.instagram.com/andy.weber.studios/
Registration
https://oneearthsacredarts.com/store/pcat-oesa-events
For questions, please contact: [email protected]
Kurukulla Evening Lecture and Meditation by Andy Weber
12 April (Friday) 19:00 – 20.30 (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM)
An introduction to this captivating goddess and her iconography from a life-long practitioner and instructor. In-person. This lecture is included for paid weekend workshop participants (don’t pay twice). Location address in the Berkeley Hills will be given after registration is paid.
Lecture-Only Donation: $27
Kurukulla Painting Workshop and Meditation by Andy Weber
April 13 & 14 (Saturday & Sunday)
10:00 am – 13:00, Lunch, 14:00 – 16:00 (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Drawing and painting workshop for the goddess (in person) from a master of Tibetan art. A detailed list of tools and materials needed for the workshop will be provided upon registration. Please make a separate donation if you wish to have a vegetarian lunch made for you. Lunch is not provided. You may bring lunch or go out to eat if you wish. Location address in the Berkeley Hills will be given after registration is paid. Full Weekend Donation: $108
Lunch during Kurukulla Workshop
April 13 & 14 (Saturday & Sunday) 13:00 – 14:00 (1:00:-2:00 PM)
Vegetarian meal of Dhal, Rice, and Khichari made with love. No substitutions. It is okay to bring lunch (please do not bring meat or alcohol) or students are free to go out to eat. Donation: $20
Production Team
Inquiries: Ekabhumi Charles Ellik. +1-5one0-86six-6870 / [email protected]
This event is offered for the benefit of all beings through a collaboration between One Earth Sacred Arts and Mystic Art Retreats. We are grateful to Ekabhumi, Heather Madden, Ruth Ann Liu-Johnston, Illya Yacobson, and all our volunteers for their loving labour.
One Earth Sacred Arts is a collective of creatives lead by Ekabhumi Charles Ellik. We are based in the San Francisco Bay Area and focus on artwork that inspires, delights, and expands consciousness. We offer original art, prints, commissions, art instruction, and event production.
Mystic Art Retreats™ are immersive events in spectacular locations that serve to expand consciousness through creative expression and skilful craft. Our globally renowned experts from different sacred traditions lead art retreats at special venues that range from quaint palaces, natural stone homes, and rural stays.
These retreats are typically based around the arts as an avenue for encouraging the expansion of awareness, personal growth, and deep connection to the cultures we visit. Beauty, pleasure, and spiritual wisdom are key components of every retreat with the events meant to be inspiring and encouraging rather than challenging and disciplined.