http://www.rgj.com/story/life/2015/03/24/zen-painting-buddhist-artist-visit-teach-reno/70405306/
The Zen of Painting: Buddhist artist to visit, teach in Reno
Reno Gazette Journal, by: Jenny Kane jkane@rgj.com
PDT March 25, 2015
When Andy Weber paints, he finds peace of mind.
"Yesterday and tomorrow don't matter," Weber said. "I'm in another realm."
Originally from Germany, Weber, who will be visiting Reno's Dharmakaya Buddhist Center this week, has become a world authority on Tibetan Buddhist art.
It was a journey that began in 1973 during his first pilgrimage to the Himalayas.
He fell in love with Buddhism during his trip to temples high in the mountains of Nepal. Two years later, he began to study the art of thangka paintings, or Tibetan scroll paintings.
The paintings traditionally are executed on cotton or silk, and usually portray a Buddhist deity scene or mandala. They are painted with watered pigments, though the colors are bright and the scene overall is very symmetric.
Delving into the art changed his life forever.
Andy Weber, a world authority on Tibetan Buddhist art, will be visiting Reno’s Dharmakaya Buddhist Center this week. (Photo: Courtesy of Dharmakaya Buddhist Center)
While he cannot pass down peace of mind and his exemplary skill in painting, he can teach some of the steps that he took in the first place.
Weber will be sharing insight during his exhibit "Images of Compassion," at Dharmakaya Buddhist Center in Reno from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, and Friday, March 27. Dharmakaya is located at 501 W 1st St. in Reno.
Weber also will offer a weekend drawing and painting course, "The Female Buddha," on Saturday, March 28 & Sunday, March 29.
No artistic talent is necessary for the class but registration is required.
Andy Weber, a world authority on Tibetan Buddhist art and the artist behind this piece, “Five Sense Offering,” will be visiting Reno’s Dharmakaya Buddhist Center this week. (Photo: Courtesy of Dharmakaya Buddhist Center)
Weber is a one-of-kind teacher in this genre of art, as he spent seven years living and studying the iconographical art of Tibetan Buddhism under the guidance of accomplished masters in India and Nepal.
But before he dove into his trade, he had only dabbled in art during high school classes.
"I had no formal training," he said.
But it was his desire to "unlock the key to the energy" that drove him to pursue the art, he said, despite the difficulty he had in finding a teacher during the 1970s, a time in which few Buddhist centers existed outside of Asia.
"At that time, there weren't many Buddhist centers in the West, and now you find them all over little cities," said Weber, who now tours the world speaking about his art.
His unique style of authentic images for visualization are highly respected, not only by the growing number of Western Buddhists but also by Tibetan Lamas of all traditions, many of whom have commissioned his work.
His thangka paintings can be seen in Buddhist centers and temples throughout the world including the Potala Palace in Lhasa.
Peace and painting:
What: Talk, Exhibit and Book Signing
When: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday
Where: Dharmakaya Buddhist Center, 501 W 1st St. in Reno.
How much: $30 each day suggested donation, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
What: Drawing & Painting Course
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with lunch 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sunday
Where: Dharmakaya Buddhist Center, 501 W 1st St. in Reno.
How much: $90 registration for both days plus materials
To register, visit www.dharmakayacenter.com; for more information, call 775-232-8067.
Andy Weber, a world authority on Tibetan Buddhist art and the artist behind this piece, “Five Friends,” will be visiting Reno’s Dharmakaya Buddhist Center this week. (Photo: Courtesy of Dharmakaya Buddhist Center)
Reno Gazette Journal, by: Jenny Kane jkane@rgj.com
PDT March 25, 2015
When Andy Weber paints, he finds peace of mind.
"Yesterday and tomorrow don't matter," Weber said. "I'm in another realm."
Originally from Germany, Weber, who will be visiting Reno's Dharmakaya Buddhist Center this week, has become a world authority on Tibetan Buddhist art.
It was a journey that began in 1973 during his first pilgrimage to the Himalayas.
He fell in love with Buddhism during his trip to temples high in the mountains of Nepal. Two years later, he began to study the art of thangka paintings, or Tibetan scroll paintings.
The paintings traditionally are executed on cotton or silk, and usually portray a Buddhist deity scene or mandala. They are painted with watered pigments, though the colors are bright and the scene overall is very symmetric.
Delving into the art changed his life forever.
Andy Weber, a world authority on Tibetan Buddhist art, will be visiting Reno’s Dharmakaya Buddhist Center this week. (Photo: Courtesy of Dharmakaya Buddhist Center)
While he cannot pass down peace of mind and his exemplary skill in painting, he can teach some of the steps that he took in the first place.
Weber will be sharing insight during his exhibit "Images of Compassion," at Dharmakaya Buddhist Center in Reno from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, and Friday, March 27. Dharmakaya is located at 501 W 1st St. in Reno.
Weber also will offer a weekend drawing and painting course, "The Female Buddha," on Saturday, March 28 & Sunday, March 29.
No artistic talent is necessary for the class but registration is required.
Andy Weber, a world authority on Tibetan Buddhist art and the artist behind this piece, “Five Sense Offering,” will be visiting Reno’s Dharmakaya Buddhist Center this week. (Photo: Courtesy of Dharmakaya Buddhist Center)
Weber is a one-of-kind teacher in this genre of art, as he spent seven years living and studying the iconographical art of Tibetan Buddhism under the guidance of accomplished masters in India and Nepal.
But before he dove into his trade, he had only dabbled in art during high school classes.
"I had no formal training," he said.
But it was his desire to "unlock the key to the energy" that drove him to pursue the art, he said, despite the difficulty he had in finding a teacher during the 1970s, a time in which few Buddhist centers existed outside of Asia.
"At that time, there weren't many Buddhist centers in the West, and now you find them all over little cities," said Weber, who now tours the world speaking about his art.
His unique style of authentic images for visualization are highly respected, not only by the growing number of Western Buddhists but also by Tibetan Lamas of all traditions, many of whom have commissioned his work.
His thangka paintings can be seen in Buddhist centers and temples throughout the world including the Potala Palace in Lhasa.
Peace and painting:
What: Talk, Exhibit and Book Signing
When: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday
Where: Dharmakaya Buddhist Center, 501 W 1st St. in Reno.
How much: $30 each day suggested donation, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
What: Drawing & Painting Course
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with lunch 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sunday
Where: Dharmakaya Buddhist Center, 501 W 1st St. in Reno.
How much: $90 registration for both days plus materials
To register, visit www.dharmakayacenter.com; for more information, call 775-232-8067.
Andy Weber, a world authority on Tibetan Buddhist art and the artist behind this piece, “Five Friends,” will be visiting Reno’s Dharmakaya Buddhist Center this week. (Photo: Courtesy of Dharmakaya Buddhist Center)