31 July 2015
Imagine walking into a light filled room; the walls are a cool pristine white with the slightest hint of blue. They appear to almost glow. The blue on the walls is actually the reflection coming from the furniture and other decoration in the room. A cobalt throw with thin streaks of white reminds you of a midnight meteor shower. A couch, the color of white sand on a beautiful beach, is li...
17 July 2015
I do admit, though, it really isn't horrifying. In fact, most of the specimens in the sale are simply beautiful. In particular, I find the butterflies almost magical with their colorful wings outspread. Some refer to their wings as 'nature's canvas.' The leaf and stick insects make you marvel at the intricate workings of the natural world; and in terms of presentation, the delicate curves...
10 July 2015
The five Dhyani Buddhas are popular subjects of Buddhist art. Each of them represents a different skandha, or aspect of existence. This can also be interpreted as different qualities of Buddha himself. The Dhyani are sometimes referred to as primordial Buddhas, each representing an abstract aspect of enlightened consciousness. Some depictions of Dhyani Buddhas are almost impossible to dist...
01 July 2015
July 4th is upon us, so how about taking a glimpse back in time to the origin of fireworks in China. Although fireworks are now mostly used for entertainment and celebratory purposes, this was not always the case. The origin of fireworks goes back over 1,000 years; in fact, long before gunpowder was ever invented. Historical documents indicate explosive powder was discovered while Chinese...
12 June 2015
As the 19th turned to the 20th century, an Italian invasion force in northern Ethiopia hid under the cover of darkness. They were camped in an open steppe, strategically sound, except for a high plateau that rose sharply to the north. Nonetheless, they stirred uneasily at their posts. Scouts reported the area was secure, and that any hostile force would have to march all night and half the ...
05 June 2015
Westervelt’s paintings reflect a certain raw primitivism that is both moving and seductive. His works are emotive, almost always featuring faces and figures assembled from the skins he creates and tempered by his imagination. Though at first glance his pieces may seem abstract, the facial expression and body language of his characters convey a never ending array of feelings and...
29 May 2015
Looking at Buddha’s face and head can also give an indication of whether you are seeing Gautama Buddha or a different Buddhist figure entirely. The original Buddha’s facial expression is typically serene and his mouth is usually shown smiling slightly. His earlobes are usually shown long where they were once weighed by his heavy jewelry as a prince. Later, the long earlobes bec...
22 May 2015
I write this in the wake of a question posed by my grandson just this evening before tea. The family was gathered in the drawing room where a fire had been lit to ward off an early autumn chill. I was resting on a chaise when Edward approached. The boy had recently discovered an old box of cards and other memorabilia from my younger years in India, and has since acquired a keen interest in my ...
15 May 2015
It was not a good time to be around if you were a piece of antique furniture during China’s Cultural Revolution. You might have been burned to ashes or if you were lucky, thrown haphazardly into a large warehouse run by the Peoples Liberation Army. Such was the fate of a great deal of antique furniture during the ten years between 1966 and 1976. Many pieces were destroyed for being &l...
08 May 2015
Have you ever printed a picture that looked marvelous on the computer screen, only to pick it up from the printer and experience an utter ‘what the heck!?’ moment? Delicate hues turned into globs of ugly, dark color, conjuring a catastrophic oil spill inside the printer! Or, have you ever printed on different kinds of paper only to discover that some absorbed too much ink while...