Creating art has been my personal relief from the world, it's my sanctuary where nobody else has any control. It's private and comforting. Sure, I very rarely love the end result, but then again most of my work have never reached completion...
I'm not entirely sure how I came across this inspiration for a painting. I think I might have been looking up pictures of Buddha at first and then stumbled across Lord Yamantaka somehow along the way. After having read more about this personality, I was persuaded to create a painting of Him. I found one painting that I thought looked very interesting, it was a close up of just his face, so I began to sketch out my own version of this painting. I think that's pretty much how this began...
I have a fascination with history and in particular Eastern beliefs, culture and traditions etc... Ancient scriptures and the Vedas and Sutras have gripped my mind. The stories are so mystical and fantastical that I have to turn it into a physical piece that I see within my mind..
This fearsome figure is actually a a wonderful personality that was victorious over the Lords of death and judgement, breaking the continuous cycle of rebirth of humankind.
Yamantaka is a violent aspect of the Bodhisattva Manjushri, who assumes this form to vanquish Yama, the God of death. By defeating Yama, the cycle of rebirths (samsara) that prevents enlightenment is broken.
Because of this he makes enlightenment easier for all who seeks it.
Scripture is interesting, these kinds of writings has always captured my mind. I try and capture these images in artwork has always been my Artist journey. It takes on personality and emotion with every stroke of the brush. You can feel the drama in expression, this has been an interesting painting...
