WOMEN ARISING CONFERENCE - Part Two

As mentioned in my previous blog, I was honored to be given the opportunity to present the opening Keynote at the Women Arising Conference held in Sedona, AZ, in October of last year.

The Conference was brilliantly organized by Sarah McLean and a wonderful roster of volunteers.  During the breaks one could wander around the various display tables which all held precious items, items that the soul knows one can carry within and without.

One particular display of art drew me to it like a giant magnet.  It was a display of some of the work – paintings, sculptures, and jewelry by the remarkable artist Sherab Khandro.

There are two distinct influences that inform her work.  One is her training in Eastern ideals and practices, primarily the spiritual arts and fundamentals of Buddhist thought in the Tibetan tradition.  The second is her use of pointillism, a contemporary Western style of painting.  The marriage of the two gives expression to these ancient spiritual ideas in a contemporary voice holding true to the sacred.  Of this Sherab says, “ I confess I was concerned that some of my very traditional teachers might object to the union, but the response was quite to the contrary!”

Of particular interest to me was her technique of pointillism. Using tiny dots of color, Sherab creates rich and vibrant imagery. Each tiny pointed stroke of her brush creates a dot which holds a prayer of compassion – each dot a prayer to end suffering in the world.

Sherab “put down” her Buddhist nun’s robes a number of years ago, yet maintains her vow as a Bodhisattva – a vow taken by Buddhists to return again and again until all suffering has come to an end.

I was in awe of Sherab’s work.  What loving energy went into each of the hundreds of thousands of dots in one painting!  Each of her pictures was a veritable “spiritual masterpiece.”

Upon arriving home, I went to Sherab’s site and fell in love with what I was to find out was her latest creation, called “Ascension,” which is displayed in this blog. It is a multi-colored and luminous butterfly accompanied by an upward swirl of energy.  “That’s for my sacred place in our new home in Scottsdale!” I blurted loudly to myself.

When I called the gallery in Sedona where Sherab’s work is displayed, miraculously it was Sherab  who answered the phone. A minute or two later and the deal was done.  The very first print of a limited edition of 100 of “Ascension” would soon be on its way. 

If what I have written so far evokes a curiosity to see Sherab’s work with your own eyes, you can visit her website at www.SherabKhandro.com

Namaste,

Constance Kellough, Publisher