Let Go

Revisiting prayer flags from the Bhavana Project with the second set's initial flag from December 2006.  I usually start out by creating the first flag of the set.  Words I inscribed: "Let go and trust"

A bit of history if you are just joining us.  This set of twelve prayer flags began in December 2006.  Each participant chose a personal theme for their flag.  It is the second set created for the Bhavana Project, which is an ongoing community art work intending to share wishes and aspirations with the wider world.  New participants are always welcome!

World Peace

In gratitude to Bhavana Project participants, we revisit this prayer flag by Debby Everett in December 2006.  She took the flags along on a trip to Thailand.  Below the flags are shown with a spirit house.

A bit of history if you are just joining us.  This set of twelve prayer flags began in December 2006.  Each participant chose a personal theme for their flag.  It is the second set created for the Bhavana Project, which is an ongoing community art work intending to share wishes and aspirations with the wider world.  New participants are always welcome!

Peaceful Stitching

Prayer Flag by Lahar  Goldberg

More from the peace series... let me take you back to 2009 with Lahar Goldberg's sweet addition.  Lahar: "sometimes we come from another direction than someone else, but we discover that we have a common purpose so we can mingle peacefully and support a common vision, even if we come from a different point of view. Thanks so much for awakening the creative process in me with cloth, thread and color." 

A bit of history if you are just joining us.  This set of prayer flags began in 2009 under the theme "Reflections on Peace".  It is the third set created for the Bhavana Project, which is an ongoing community art work intending to share wishes and aspirations with the wider world.  New participants are always welcome!

Peace Begins

Prayer Flag by Linda A. Miller

More from the Peace series with the flag I created in January 2009 to start off the set.  I used sun imagery and words that inspire me from one of the Vedic peace chants, Sahana.  Traditionally this chant is done between teacher and student to open the teaching session.  The translation reads: "May we be protected and nourished.  May our actions flourish with energy, clarity and friendship.  Peace, peace, peace."  Felt like an appropriate beginning for the theme of "Reflections on Peace".

If you are just joining us, here is a bit of history.  This was the third set created for the Bhavana Project, which is an ongoing community art work intending to share wishes and aspirations with the wider world.  New participants are always welcome!

Listen, Listen

Prayer Flag by Sigrid Wagner

As promised, I am continuing to share the Bhavana Project's peace series.  This lyrical flag was made by Sigrid Wagner in August 2009.

The words: "This wonderous sound brings me back to myself. I send my heart out with the sound of the river. Listen Listen Listen Listen." 

A bit of history if you are just joining us.  This set of prayer flags began in 2009 under the theme "Reflections on Peace".  It is the third set created for the Bhavana Project, which is an ongoing community art work intending to share wishes and aspirations with the wider world.  New participants are always welcome!

Soar to the Stars

Prayer flag by Linda Friedman

Continuing with the Peace series in random order.  In August 2013, artist Linda Friedman completed the 12th flag.  Inspired by a friend's photo of a public sculpture, Linda translated the image to cloth with paint, stitching and beading.  Linda writes, "Because a couple of the beaded stars and the arms of the figures reach beyond the beaded frame, it seems to me as if a movement toward peace reached beyond boundaries of time and space."

The flag reads: Peace is within. Soar to the Stars.

Linda and her granddaughter

If you are just joining us, this set of prayer flags began in 2009 under the theme "Reflections on Peace".  It is the third set created for the Bhavana Project, which is an ongoing community art work intending to share wishes and aspirations with the wider world.  New participants are always welcome!

Bring an Atmosphere of Peace

Prayer flag by Cindy Rinne

I hope to bring an atmosphere of peace
I am calm
I am alive
I am open to adventure

Cindy's friends display flags...

In May 2010 Cindy Rinne, artist and poet, added the 6th flag to the peace prayer flag series.  

Mountain Stillness

Prayer Flag by Sara Cloud

I am continuing to share the Peace prayer flags with you, in no particular order.  In September 2009 this lovely flag was made by Sara Cloud from Ojai, CA. Her inscription reads: Mountain stillness in motion.  Sara also participated in the first set of the project in 2005.

The set

A World of Miracles

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

~ Mother Teresa

Continuing to share the peace flag series.... During a Santa Fe gathering in 2010, this flag became a group project among close friends- Lori Brody, Elizabeth Dailey, Debby Everett, Victoria Karno, Kate Matousek, and I.  What fun we had collaborating on the design and execution, as well as choosing our milagros.  A deeply satisfying process of connection with each other and art making.  The title in Spanish is "Peace... a world of miracles".

Bhavana Project flags 2010.  Photo by Elizabeth Dailey

Creative ladies...

A bit of history if you are just joining us.  This set of prayer flags began in 2009 under the theme "Reflections on Peace".  It is the third set created for the Bhavana Project, which is an ongoing community art work intending to share wishes and aspirations with the wider world.  New participants are always welcome!

New Beginnings

Though your destination is not yet clear

You can trust the promise of this opening;

Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning

That is at one with your life’s desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;

Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;

Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,

For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

 ~ John O’Donohue,  excerpt “For a New Beginning”

Last weekend was the closing event at the Threads of Awakening studio.  Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo is moving her studio home, consolidating and lightening up as she shifts focus. In addition to ongoing teaching, Leslie is writing a book about her journey with Tibetan applique.  So the day on Sunday held mixed blessings.  Having attended the studio opening several years back, this was closing of one circle.  It was lovely to be there to offer flag making and to meet guests and friends.

Flag making

 

Those who did participate in making flags enjoyed the relaxing process.  It was a joy to be in their company.  Though I did not take photos of their projects, all seemed pleased with the results.  A reminder that creative process is fun.

I look forward to seeing where the journey takes Leslie, and indeed all of us, now!

 

 

Celebrate Transition with a Flag

Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo will be moving her Oxnard studio soon.  Having taught several workshops at that wonderful studio in recent years, I will miss it.  June 19^th is the date for the closing send-off party. As every closing is also an opening, Leslie invites you to bring your own transitions to the event, so we can celebrate them all together.   I will be on hand in the afternoon to guide an informal drop-in flag making session. Join us!  Come create a prayer flag to mark your transition! No experience needed. Blank flag and supplies provided.

When:            Sunday, June 19, 2016, between 1:00 - 4:00 pm  
Where:          Threads of Awakening Transformative Arts Studio 
                        2810 S. Harbor Blvd., Suite 201 
                        Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard, CA 93035 

Flag Fee:      $15

Coming Back...

Flags in Red Bluff Gallery courtesy Anastasia Nelson

The flags are returning.  Above is a photo of the flags shown in the Red Bluff Art Gallery, the artists cooperative managed by Anastasia Nelson and Phil Dynan.  They recently added a delightful and thoughtful painting to the 4th flag.  Thank you once again, Phil and Ana!

Flag by Phil and Ana

Give Peace a Chance

Here is the latest flag for our current set of Bhavana Project flags designed and created by artists Phil Dynan and Anastasia Nelson.  Phil and Ana are not new to the project having hosted the flags on several occasions at the artist's cooperative, The Red Bluff Art Gallery, which they manage in Northern California.  This painted piece makes a strong statement and is a beautiful addition to set# 4.  Thank you very much, Phil and Ana!

Who is next in line?

What Has Been Created

Here are selections of wonderful work coming out of past Creative Circle workshops.  Enjoy!

What would you like to create?  Join us March 6th for another Creative Circle.