Friday, I joined my sweet friend Lin, a PhD ethnobiologist who decided 18 months ago to start drawing just because she's always wanted to, for a lively day of sketching.
We went to the nearby university art museum and headed for the Asian gallery. A large and imposing bust of Buddha from fifth century Thailand dominates the room and was a compelling subject for sketching.
Next, I drew a head of Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Mercy, from thirteenth century northern China.
When we went for lunch, I spotted a nicely rotund man at a nearby table, who was a compelling subject in another way. One half of him was in shadow, the other half lit by milky February sunshine from the adjacent tall windows. I think there's something of the Buddha nature in him, too, don't you? Lin and I capped off our wonderful day with gelato from a café south of town. Mine was vanilla with shards of Italian chocolate. I think Lin's was a mixture of chocolate and crushed Oreos. After all of that, I was beginning to feel something of the Buddha tummy myself. Thank you, Lin, for your charming company! 
What lovely budda's so serene and poised!
Posted by: Ulla | February 13, 2007 at 08:30 PM
Ahhh. Sorry I've been seldom seen, but it's been a bit busier than normal in Lori-ville.
One thing I'm quite fascinated with -- your suffusion with color is so complete that even your black-and-white sketches seem full of color to my eye. Must be the spot-on use of value that registers as chroma to me.
:-)
Posted by: Lori Witzel | February 10, 2007 at 10:22 AM
the buddha faces are so fabulous, what you convey with so few lines is amazing to see!
Posted by: Cin | February 09, 2007 at 12:47 AM
Thank you so much, you all! I've been tied up the last few days so am just now here to respond. It's so odd that I unconsciously chose the Buddhalike man to draw after having seen so many Buddhas at the museum. It wasn't until I started to write the narrative attached to these sketches that I noted the similarity. I won't count these as faces because they're not in the right format, but I WILL go back to the museum and draw at least one of them for the faces project, for sure. I'll email answers to Jen and Deborah. Jane, I'd love to join you someday for sketching!
Posted by: Laura | February 07, 2007 at 02:11 PM
Where in North Carolina do you and Lin live? I'm in the northwest corner of North Carolina right at the state line. I'm thinking you might be from Raleigh? I'd so love to join you for sketching :-) Your work is incredible as always. Such an inspiration!!
Deborah
Posted by: Deborah Lowe | February 07, 2007 at 09:01 AM
Hello L,
Do you take orders for your work?
Hope you are well.
Posted by: MonkeyPosh/Parisjasmal | February 06, 2007 at 08:49 PM