Drawings and Portraits

In my late 50's, I decided I wanted to learn how to paint, so I enrolled in a class at the local community art center. At the first meeting, the instructor announced that if we wanted to learn how to paint, first we needed to learn how to draw. My heart sank, for an art teacher had told me early on that I had no drawing talent whatsoever. And even though that comment had left its mark, that was then and this was now, and the instructor reassured us that drawing wasn't just a talent, it was a skill we could develop over time. So I devoted myself to putting pencil to paper every day. I invested in a set of graphite pencils ranging from dark to light and filled sketchbooks with renderings of everything in sight: my shoes, my hands, the floral pattern on a rug, my dog staring back at me. I learned how to shade, to layer, to blend edges with a stump, how to draw from a graph and how to draw a picture that was upside down. I learned how to see. But best of all, I was having fun and loved the simple tool in my hand; it was so forgiving. After all, there was an eraser at the other end. As for the oils and watercolors, I left them behind and never looked back. Mostly I enjoyed drawing portraits, and when I realized that the ultimate drawing teacher was my love for the Being before me, whether in person or in a photograph, the rest became easy. I had two favorite subjects: the cherished dogs in my life and the Tibetan people and their Buddhist spiritual masters. My studio was filled with their pictures, and I always had two working easels in place.

Faces of Tibet

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Buddhist Master and Scholar

Professor Venerable Samdhong Rinpoche, Prime Minister (retired), Tibetan Parliament in Exile

The compassionate faces and expressions of the Tibetan people arise from a wisdom beyond that of the modernized world. They offer quiet joy, and my travels across Tibet had awakened in me the desire to live that way, too. Taking their pictures helped me bring that home, and years later as I drew from photographs taken by others, that same joy filled the room. I even strangely felt observed in return, a humbling yet comforting experience. When a day in the studio would come to a close, I would reluctantly put my pencil down. Within these portraits are several layers of translation: from living master to photographer to my hand with pencil on paper. I tried to recreate the essence that the photographer before me captured, hoping to convey my own love, devotion, respect, and gratitude.

Dharma Dogs

Dogs are noble beings, and they make my heart sing. Drawing their portraits was another one of my passions, where I hoped to capture a glimpse of their unique spirits and that irrepressible nature that we know as Dog. Dharma is a Sanskrit term found in India’s spiritual traditions. In Buddhism it refers to cosmic law and order and to the teachings of the Buddha. In Hinduism it refers to right way of living, one’s calling, and the higher purpose of life. The dharma teaches compassion, loving kindness, mindfulness, and so much more. Dharma teachers can be found everywhere – in our households, communities, and the natural world. A dharma teacher is our friend, in whatever guise, and guides us along our path in life. And so a dharma dog is just that – our friend, teacher, and trusted companion on the road. Dharma dogs embody patience, forgiveness, love, and joy. They take us out of our boxes and into the world. Who knew that a car ride could be so much FUN or that a tennis ball belongs to THEM. They show us how to go on a proper walk and to greet others with curiosity and respect. As our loyal canine companions, they lead us to ask “Who is walking whom?” And as we painfully know, at the end of the line and all too soon, they teach us about grief. Like humans, every dog has a calling in life: as a working dog, service dog, family dog, or couch potato. They live the life of the canine soul, devoted to the Person they love and healing the human heart along the way. Scout was my dharma dog, my 24/7 buddy for 16 years. A Border Collie/Aussie, he bathed me endlessly with his gaze and led me well through thick and thin. I could write volumes about his smarts, sense of humor, and gentle soul. His sister, Rio, was our frequent houseguest, sometimes for months at a time, and she could outrun and outsmart us both, especially when it came to frisbees. I was forever changed by their devotion and love for each other and for me, and I learned to see the world differently in their good company. To irreverently paraphrase Meister Eckhart, “The eye with which I see Dog is the same eye with which Dog sees me.” Spelled either way, it feels the same.