Blooming Mind

Sometimes all I get is a little bit of time to make art. So I make something that's fun and quick. 

I also discovered some cool photo app on the iphone that I can apply to my art. This is my cut paper art combine with special photo effect.

There is A Way Through Every Block

Things have been rather tough lately. Everyday seems like a roller coaster ride. However, it is amazing that I can still look at all my current challenges and road blocks with a calm mind and heart. I owe it all to my Kundalini Yoga practice.

I have been keeping up with my daily sadhana (spiritual yogic practice) for a few years now. I do one set of kriya (a set of yoga exercises) and four meditations every day. Life always seem better and more manageable after my sadhana practice.

I also love chanting.Chanting meditation plays a big role in Kundalini Yoga, it's kind of like sound therapy. It resets the systems in our body and lifts our spirits instantly. One of the best kind of self-healing if you ask me. 

When I feel there's a blockage somewhere in my life, or when I need a flow of creativity, I like to chant Har Haray Hari Wahe Guru, a mantra often used in prosperity meditation. This mantra expresses the three qualities of Har (the Creative Infinity): seed, flow, and completion unto the Infinite (from The Aquarian Teacher). 

This mantra is amazing! (Actually, ALL mantras in Kundalini Yoga are amazing!) Even by just listening to this mantra, it helps me to get my work accomplished a lot easier! Sometimes ideas or solutions to a problem just pop up, and my day would flow with ease. 

Mantras are effective because it works in such a way that it alters the way we use our mind. Instead of focusing on the negative side, this mantra helps me tune in to all the possible solutions and ideas in the Universe. 

I'm glad I have these yogic knowledge and wisdom to help me whenever I need it! 

 

Lost In Dreams

I had a nice Friday afternoon. Spent my time sketching, listening to music. 

This one is a quick work, playing with texture and lines.

Art and yoga are very similar in many ways. You should be aware of your posture when making art, don't hurt your back. Also, the most important thing is, remember to breathe.

True Beauty

Here is another quick sketch of mine. I have been wanting to make a series of work like this, about radiant women, based on Yogi Bhajan's teachings. What he said about strength and inner beauty are so true and all women should know this. 

Ladies, drop all your insecurities and embrace the true beauty in you! Shine your light! Just shine! Yeah! 

Here's another good quote from Yogi Bhajan:

“You do not understand your features. Your features are not your beautiful nose, your beautiful cheeks, beautiful lips, and so on. These are not your features. Your features are your beautiful behavior, your beautiful character, your beautiful health, your beautiful spirit, your beautiful advice, your beautiful wisdom, your beautiful inspiration.”

Ancient Cave Art

Today, at my husband's request, I sat in front of my computer and copied this piece of ancient cave art from Europe. 

I am amazed by how beautiful this piece of ancient art really is. The lines are so expressive! As I was copying, I couldn't help but to imagine the person who did this cave art. What could have gone through his or her mind? Was he/she trying to capture the spirit of the animal with these simple and yet elegant lines? Was he/she praying for a good hunt? 

Whatever the reason is for this cave art, one thing is clear to me: it is our nature to want to express ourselves. Yes! We all have this desire and the ability to do so! Find your means to express yourself! Sing, dance, write, sculpt, draw...anything! Dare to be you, the one and only true you through your expression!

Proud to Be A Kaur!

Feel so good to be sketching again! A quick drawing of a lioness. I am proud to be a Kaur! 

What is Kaur? It is part of my spiritual name, Haritej Kaur. 

"A spiritual name is a vibration and a tool that helps to elevate your energy through the power of its nadh (inner sound current), and through the divine essence of its meaning.  It is your spiritual or soul identity.  It challenges you to live in your highest consciousness and helps you progress towards your ultimate destination.  Making the choice to receive a spiritual name is taking a step toward leaving old patterns behind and connecting with your infinite self."- 3HO.org

“Your spiritual name is your designated destiny, your heavenly identity.  That’s all it is.  You may or may not live to it, but it is your guiding force.  And it’s a prayer.  When somebody calls me ‘Yogiji,’ it means ‘one who is united with the greater soul.’  When somebody calls me ‘Bhajan,’ it means a ‘divine song.’  And if somebody calls me ‘Harbhajan Singh,’ it means ‘the lion who sings the divine song.’  It’s a prayer in the other man’s word.  What is prayer?  It is a calling.  And you answer the calling.  You get uplifted.  It’s a plus.  It’s a way of receiving people’s blessings.” — Yogi Bhajan

My name, Haritej Kaur, means the kind, creative and prosperous Princess/Lioness of God who is the radiance, the light, the energy of God. Kaur is a name that all women receive - the Princess/Lioness of God who walks with grace and strength throughout her life. Yogi Bhajan taught that every woman has the potential to attain this divine state and encouraged all to manifest it. 

Want to learn more about spiritual name or get one? Visit 3HO.org for more information.

Happy New Year 2014!

One of my first few drawings of the new year. As a matter of fact, first few drawings in a long while! I need more art session like this! 

As usual, I like to look back and examine my experience with the past year before I move forward into the new year. 2013 was really an amazing year for me. I suddenly found myself working several jobs, doing a lot of things that I never thought I would ever end up doing, like marketing! But it's for something that I care deeply about, so I don't mind spending all the time researching and learning about social media marketing and so on. 

And then there were a lot of spiritual learning and growth for me. Took quite a few major workshops. including White Tantric Yoga 2013. I also went to Womanheart. Womanheart was great. It was very healing for many of us. It was an honor to be with so many teachers. We learned from each other, and supported each other. It's so wonderful to see women helping women to heal, to grow, to excel! We are all spiritual sisters! 

Looking back, I realized that I am the happiest when I am learning. I like being a student. 

So in this new year, I will continue to teach as much as I can, and the best that I can. Yogi Bhajan was right, if you want to master something, teach it! I've learned a lot from teaching Kundalini Yoga, and I will keep it up! 

In this new year, without holding myself back, and with no fear, no attachment, I will immerse myself in life even more, and just be. I will keep on teaching, learning and growing. 

"If you want to learn something, read about it.
If you want to understand something, write about it.
If you want to master something, teach it." 

                                                            - Yogi Bhajan 

Manga and Crafts

It's been a busy year for me, juggling 2-3 jobs and family life at the same time...not a lot of art and craft this year from me. But I had a nice break during Christmas. Oh, and this year I discovered that all the things I need to know about life, I learn it from Pinterest! Look at all the wonderful art work and crafts on Pinterest! Whoa! I use Pinterest pretty much everyday, and lately it's giving me the urge to craft! 

So, after Christmas, I picked up my sewing needle, tried to get some unfinished projects done before the new year is here. First, I finished sewing a My Little Pony that I started back in August! Sorry, no picture....all I can say is that the final result resembles a punk rocker pony. This is a long overdue birthday present for my daughter. She's pretty flexible about things, and welcomed the punk rocker pony into her collection.

Today I finished sewing this birdie bag, also for my daughter. 

The inspiration for this bag came from Clamp's manga, Kobato: 

I like Kobato's dresses and accessories! They are so cute! Check out some of her handbags: 

See the birdie handbag? So cute! 

Speaking of manga, I highly recommend A Bride's Story by Kaoru Mori! 

 
Set in the early 19th century of central Asia, this manga explores the lives of the nomads in this region. I cannot express enough how beautiful this manga is! Every page is full of detailed, exquisite drawings, truly a delightful feast for the eyes! 

If you need inspiration for something ethnic and beautiful, check out A Bride's Story!

Polymer Clay Fun

I can't believe how busy I am since the beginning of the year. Luckily, I still managed to find a little bit of time here and there to play with polymer clay. 

About a month ago my husband asked me to make a Dalek for a friend's birthday. I too, am a Doctor Who fan. I remember how fun it was to sculpt this Dalek. It was quite small too. 

 

Recently, my daughter became a big fan of My Little Pony, thanks to her buddies at school. Instead of dishing out the dough to buy her ponies, I sculpted these ponies. Yes, I'm that cheap (LOL). 

 

 

I just want my daughter to learn to appreciate things that are made by hands. Also, this is way better than store bought toys because she gets to decide how it should look like!

 

Finally, my latest pieces, Ego Eradicator with cat and dog! Ego Eradicator is unique to Kundalini Yoga. I love sculpting or drawing this posture, I think it expresses the Keep Up spirit very well. It is a beautiful posture expressing beautiful human spirit.

Work In Progress: My Art Apron

Last year I decided that I want something beautiful and uplifting to wear when I make art. So I bought a blank canvas apron from craft store. I started sketching and painting a while back. Yesterday I finally went back to work more on it. It's getting really close to be a finish piece. The problem is now it looks so good I don't think I have the heart to wear it when I sculpt and get mud all over it! 

That's my goddess of light, of inspiration on the apron. And she agrees that no mud should get on her!

Make Art Part of Your Life

I realized that I don't make enough art in my life. And I am very inspired by Neil Gaiman's commencement speech, so now I'm making a conscious effort to try to include art in my everyday life.

This last weekend was a good art experience. On Saturday morning I had enough time to do my sadhana (daily yoga practice), and I had a pretty good meditation at the end. I was feeling good. I sat down and started doodling with my daughter. We had a great time. She drew animals. And I drew a picture of the owl and the pussycat, going out to sea in a boat. It's only after I was done with the picture then I remember that they went out to sea in a beautiful pea green boat. Oopsie. Oh well.

The owl and the pussycat have been on my mind for quite some time now. Have been meaning to make a sculpture out of it. I will probably explore the idea for a while in drawing before I finally decide on a design. That's the lady of the sea in the picture, and she's keeping an eye on the couple.

  

We recently adopted a puppy. She's a very delightful little creature. I've never really had a dog in my life before, and I am loving this experience right now. Still can't quite believe that I'm a dog person now, and I even drew a picture of me and the pup. 

 

 

  

Yesterday I managed to sneak in two more sketches. I am sketching on anything I can find now. Trying to break the habit of thinking that art making has to be executed "properly": must have a perfectly clean table, pencils must be perfectly sharpen, must have perfectly smooth paper, planetary alignment must be perfect....etc. No. I'm allowing art to happen anytime, anywhere, with any medium. 

So I was going through some things on my bookshelf, and I pulled out a notebook that I used to write down all my wishes. I opened to one of the blank pages and drew this picture. It's another thing that I want to remind myself, to always be kind to other people and myself. I wrote down the three laws of prosperity by Yogi Bhajan:

1. Be kind to others. 

2. Never speak ill of others. 

3. Never speak ill of yourself. 

Very good advice.

 

And here's another idea that I want to work on. A picture of a woman holding to her heart tenderly, being kind to herself. Maybe this will become a series of print. That would be nice.

Best Advice I've Heard In A While

Life sometimes gets so busy I forget what I used to do, what it's like to be an artist. Thanks to this inspiring speech from Neil Gaiman, I'm starting to remember why I started to make art in the first place: to be myself.

This is a really good speech. Take time to listen to it, whether you are an artist or not. And remember: live life the best that you can as yourself and no one else, be fearless, and enjoy it!

Thank you Great Cosmic Universe!

The moment I saw this silk screening kit at Hobby Lobby I knew that I want it. But money was tight. So I went home and prayed and meditated. Then I got a pay check from teaching yoga. And it was the exact amount that I needed to get this kit!

Whoo hoo! Thank you! Thank you dear Great Cosmic Universe!

I have been playing with this kit for weeks. It took me some time to finally get the exposure time right but I'm very happy with the results.

Yes, Christmas came early for me :)
Very happy!

Be happy, healthy, and live a prosperous life

Wow, I can't believe we are getting close to the end of 2012. I'm so behind in blogging. But this has been a great year for me! Check out some of the things I have accomplished this year! Great achievement in my yogic practice, not so much with my art. Oh well, I'm working on it :)

My proudest achievement of the year: graduated from Kundalini Yoga level 1 Teacher's training, and have now been teaching Kundalini Yoga for over a month!

Kundalini Yoga has totally changed my life. Now it's my job to use this technology to help others. It's an ancient and powerful technology that can balance the body, mind and spirit. I highly encourage everyone to give it a try. We all have the right to live a happy, healthy, spiritual and prosperous life.

So long 2011 and thanks for everything. Hello 2012!

We are near the end of January, how time flies. But before I can talk about what this new year has brought me, I feel the need to say a proper good bye to 2011.

2011 was a good year for me. I started practicing Kundalini yoga regularly (I discovered Kundalini yoga around October 2010). It is now a habit for me to do my yoga and meditation everyday. I have also learned reiki from my wonderful teacher who also teaches me Kundalini yoga. Kundalini yoga and reiki have changed my life, I am loving every experience of these two practices.

I am also grateful for all the new people who came into my life in 2011 and are still here with me. You have all taught me so many valuable lessons. You gave me the knowledge and wisdom that I need to face my life. I am forever thankful for having you all in my life. Thank you so much!

Thanks to all the guidance and help from all of you, I am now in the process of training to become a Kundalini yoga teacher. What a great way to start the new year!

Thank you, and good bye 2011, sat nam.
Sat nam, 2012. My journey continues, may the light continue to show me the way.

Work in Progress: Bountiful Blissful Beautiful

This is what my new sculpture looked like after 16 hours of work. I made a few decisions that weren't really smart. I totally forgot to build a support for the neck and head! When I cut it open to shave off some clay (so that my sculpture wouldn't be too heavy), I took off too much clay and caused the neck area to cave in. Luckily, I managed to stop it from collapsing by using a lump of clay to support the head. Now that the clay has become a little dry and stiff, the neck and head seem to be stable (I hope. Keeping my fingers crossed).

After 20 hours of working my sculpture is finally complete. All that I can do now is to wait for it to dry slowly and evenly, and then bisque it. Again, keeping my fingers crossed, hoping it will survive the rest of the process. 

Here's the back view of the sculpture.  I resisted the urge to fill up the space with delicate pieces of decoration which will make it very hard for me to carry the sculpture.

The title of this sculpture is Bountiful Blissful Beautiful, after a song/mantra of the same title. I fell in love with this mantra the first time I heard it in a yoga class. So I decided to create a sculpture based on the song. And that's all I listened to when I was working on this sculpture. For those who are interested, visit this site to listen to Nirinjan Kaur's Bountiful Blissful Beautiful.

Take some time and look deep inside yourself. The truth is, we are all really bountiful, blissful and beautiful. So live gloriously. Sat nam.

Winner of Give Away

This card now belongs to Betty :) 

Work in Progress

This is what I managed to accomplish with 6 to 7 hours of sculpting. I still have a long way to go with this piece. It might take me another 6 to 7 hours to complete it.
This sculpture is hollow on the inside. I used coiling technique on the body and neck. I like coiling. Most of my work is created with this technique. Pinching is another technique that I use quite frequently. I usually pinch my clay heads.

And this is one of the best sculpting tools I have in my collection! It is designed by Philippe Faraut, I used it to sculpt the eyes and lips. It works beautifully.

 

This is the very first time I sculpted hands for my sculpture. And I just couldn't resist doing the Vulcan salute.

This is what the hand looks like when it's not doing the Vulcan salute.

Flower Viewing Daruma and a Daruma ATC Giveaway

This little daruma is having a wonderful time under the tree. And he is now available on my etsy shop.

The tea cup is so small but I somehow managed to write the Chinese character for tea on it. And those are dango (rice dumplings) on his plate. 

I've always love daruma and I enjoy making them. And now I have decided to spread the fun around. This is what we are going to do: leave your comment here to be entered for a chance to win this daruma ATC (artist trading card). You have until next Monday to do so. And I will announce the winner next Tuesday. 

Have fun! 

To find out more about daruma visit this page. And to learn more about Artist Trading Card go to this page.