This is a pastel image which was part of a series I painted involving flower devas and spirits. I chose to paint them in an environment at night or in the water to highlight their relationship with the feminine consciousness.
Author Archives: tristatolles
Bumble Bee Mandala
On a recent trip to Mt. Shasta I continued my quest to honor the delightful insect world by drawing a mandala based on the energy of this evocative creature, the Bumble Bee. The energy is definitely that of “where there is a will, there’s a way”.
Japanese Mandala
This mandala was done on a trip to the Hawaiian Islands while I stayed in the home of a wonderful Japanese woman. Without thinking much about it I naturally started to create a motif from my experience with Japanese patterns learned about when I lived in the Islands as an adolescent. It was a fun project and kept me busy for most of the trip. The inspiration of the simple, yet intricate motif inspired me to think about how much that culture permeated my consciousness when I was a teenager and how lovely and gracious I still consider this culture.
Sacred Heart Mandala
This mandala came to me as I was beginning to understand that I, along with many others, have had a hard time opening my heart fully. Childhood wounds last a long time and are imprinted indelibly on the young psyche. It takes a lot of discipline to start changing behaviors which can then reflect back to the soul that it is safe to come into the opening of intimacy. This can be a long journey and it is absolutely necessary for our planet that we at least try to be part of this movement toward the unbounded heart.
Star of David Mandala
For many years, I have worked with the Four Directions symbolically in both the Shamanic tradition as well as the rituals I have performed with my tribe of friends. After working with such a feminine energy in the Dragonfly piece, I wanted to try something more native to the land. This more masculine mandala soon arrived to meet my desire.
The square symbolizes the four directions, East, West, North and South and is superimposed with two Star of David motifs, which represent Unity and Balance of the spiritual and the material realms. The tiny triangles in the borders and colors of red, turquoise and green seemed to give this piece an indigenous quality and it felt like a grounded piece based on spiritual wisdom. This mandala was dedicated to David Glenn, Santa Cruz artist, on March 21st, the date of his transition to the Spirit world.
Spider Web Mandala
This mandala is a representation of the cosmic web of creation. As humans we are blessed to be a part of the radiant light the emanates from the central axis and allows us to feel a part of all the layers. It is important that there are mechanisms in place for each social and psychological collective unit to maintain unity and harmony is the microcosmic web as well as the macrocosmic. Weaving the web together periodically through group ritual recognizing initiations of birth, death, unions and the cycles of nature is an important function of maintaining the web.
Cosmic Dancer
This mandala was inspired by the work of an amazing physical trainer, Brad Bartenen, who trains dancers, circus performers and regular athletes as well. The training reaches to the depths of one’s being and encourages superior performance on all levels. The ballet dancer and the trapeze artist are such a metaphor for the potential of all human beings as they surpass all expectations of defying gravity which we all take for granted as a limitation.
The Message: This mandala is about transcending those limitations, emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally. It is dedicated to Brad as he trains those of us who need encouragement in freeing the natural body and bringing it to perfect performance. It also evokes the awesome relationship humans can experience through developing a relationship with the greater reality that is our cosmic birthplace.
HOMAGE TO TARA MANDALA
This mandala was drawn on a journey to Mt. Shasta during which I was inspired to do a mandala dedicated to the Tibetan Goddess Tara.
Tulips Painting
Painting #10, “Tulips”, March 3, 1995.
In September of 1994, preceding the trip to my hometown, I attended a flower drawing workshop at Esalen. The work there connected my way of tapping into the Sacred through the energy of flowers. The flower devas became a reality for my there as I had my first real mystical experience with a flower. After a profound meditation, I looked at flower in the garden there and it began to spin, radiating an incredibly dynamic energy visually. I could not believe my eyes at first, but I came to believe in the reality of the flower Goddesses at that moment. I had forgotten about this energy until I met up with a flower grower at the farmers’ market in Santa Cruz. A woman there was growing the most beautiful tulips in the world. Her name was Kathleen Seaver. I again experienced the energy of the flowers as I felt the flowers to hold the energy of love as I had at Esalen. I brought a whole bouquet of these beautiful tulips to draw in my studio.
When I started this painting, I knew I wanted to combine the energy of the flowers with the depth of the Cave Painting which preceded it. The background of the painting with its deep and rich brown and violet became the cave energy. The radiance of the flowers was enhanced against this background. I struggled with a small vase in the painting for six months. I later painted a larger vase and created a larger container for these flowers. The painting then felt completed and I was able to let it go.
The message: The energy of the heart does not want to be contained. It needs to be shared and in this sharing, it expands and is the basis for all healing. In our everyday lives, flowers can remind us of this sharing and the potential for love everyday.
The Triple Goddess
This painting was inspired by a connection I had with the Triple Goddess through community ritual I have facilitated for many years. She is manifested in the form of the Mother, the Maiden and the Crone, the three major aspects of the Sacred Feminine. The ancient setting symbolizes the primal origins of the Divine Feminine and the power of Darkness.
The message: The power of women at all ages and stages is centered in the primal, instinctual nature she embodies. This energy is hers and hers alone through her body and must be brought into the light of day right now. With this change, our planet will survive.