Padmasambhava with a Cloud of Dakinis

inspired by Padmasambhava’s cloud of dakinis. 
“Oh you who are encircled
With an entourage of dakinis
……
You must come here to give me your blessing”

 

From the archive: Simhamukha, the blue lion headed dakini

 Simhamukha is the esoteric dakini manifestation of Padmasambhava. She dances in space. She is dark blue and has the head of a lioness. Over the years I have painted her dancing. The first painting is a commission for a friend and was a collaboration with my friend first giving direction and later, once the painting came towards completion, making suggestions for tweaks and small changes.

The next painting is an oil painting which was an early attempt to depict the figure using a restricted palette of a dark red and a range of blues.

Next is a mixed media sketchbook study. I like the looseness of the mark making and the portrayal of the figure's energy. The materials used include wax crayon and ink wash and it is approximately A4 size.

And finally here is a tiny sketchbook study, around A6 size in gouache.

This was done very fast in a meditation diary as an aide memoire of an experience.

The Five Jnanadakinis

Here is the full set of the five Jnanadakinis , small circular paintings on canvas board.:

Blue Vajradakini, Yellow Ratnadakini, Red Padmadakini, Green Karmadakini, White Dharmadakini

They are currently on show at the Cambridge Buddhist Centre until 24 June.

Dakini on Horseback

 Here is a recent watercolour painting of a dakini with a sword.

And here is another red dakini riding a golden horse from years back.

Ratnadakini, Sky Dancer of Earth and Jewels

 Next in the series of small circular paintings of the five wisdom dakinis. Ratnadakini is accompanied by Ratnasambhava's horses (they support his lotus throne) and dragons. For me dragons are wisdom beings akin to Nagas and also symbolise the freeing of the subtle energies of the body.

Dance in the Light of the Sun and the Moon

 

A sky dancing Chodma inspired by Machig Lapdron who founded the lineage of Chod practitioners. The sun and moon both shine in the sky symbolising that the dance is happening outside time. The Chodma is wearing bone ornaments and plays a Chod drum and a vajra bell. The Khatvangha on the left of the painting is a golden staff rich in symbolism.

Leaf Dancer

Night Rider

The sun and the moon are shining in the sky.

The journey continues.