Projects in Tibet

Terris and Leslie for the last 18 years have worked together on several major historical thangka art projects in Tibet. From 1992 to 1997, they created two giant silk applique thangkas for Tsurphu.

At the request of H. H. Karmapa, they have completed a third monumental project for Tsurphu Monastery, and are starting a fourth. To learn about this project and how you can help in its realization, contact us.  Many photo and video galleries can also be seen here.

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Leslie's Art

Leslie creates fresh imagery that brings together her many influences, using silk appliqué for Buddhist thangka, environmental works, seascapes, abstracts, and unique appliqué portraits. The silk elements together into a unified work with shading and brush work following the Tibetan thangka painting tradition. Balancing the appliqué with the painting techniques into a satisfying visual experience is both challenging and rewarding and it brings many technical discoveries. This unusual hand painted silk applique technique named "tre-jar"(meaning cut-glue) finds its origin in the Amdo area of Easrtern Tibet. "Immersed in the study of Tibetan Iconography and grinding mineral stone colours, I happily embark on painting thangkas. Presently, the creative practice I have evolved is an integration of my experiences and thoughts around psychology and art into a spiritual space."

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Terris's Art

Terris makes thangkas, silk applique thangkas and silk paintings.

Both my thangka and contempory paintings are influenced by Tibet's great teachers and my love of nature. All of my teachers, both artistic and spiritual, implanted in me a deep respect for Buddhist tradition. I enjoy the best of both worlds by including aspects of a rich Tibetan thangka art tradition with my own contemporary work which include bird and flower painting.

These works are painted using mineral pigments and botanical dyes on fine silk. Working for the last 18 years for His Holiness the 17th Karmapa and Tsurphu Monastery, Tibet has lead me also into making silk applique thangkas. Practising the art of thangka painting for over 40 years has enriched my life beyond my wildest dreams.   Several photo  galleries can be seen here.

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Applique Thangkas

A gallery of silk applique thangka made by Temple Art Studios both in the Amdo glued style and the stitched styles.The example below is the Guru Rinpoche. These may be ordered in all sizes using the finest materials available.  Several photo and video galleries can be seen here.

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Tibetan Iconography

The sacred art of Tibet continually being updated with drawings, photos, thangka, applique thangka, mineral pigment information, and eventually iconograhical texts. Many grids are available here. For example the Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Protectors, Taras and more.  Several photo  galleries are also here.

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Tsurphu

Tsurphu Monastery founded in 1187 by the 1st Karmapa is the Seat and Home of all the Karmapa's in Tibet since that time. Temple Art Studios has been involved in historic art projects with the Monastery since 1992. These pages give an ongoing history of the Temple and the silk applique thangka projects.  Several photo and video galleries can be seen here.

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The Film

Terris and Leslie for the last 18 years have worked together on several major historical art projects in Tibet. From 1992 to 1997, they created two giant silk applique thangkas for Tsurphu Temple. This work at the Temple is ongoing.

A feature documentary is in production, the storyline centers on the giant applique thangka, and the Karma Gadri School of painting. His Holiness is actively involved in the film.

Leslie and Terris kept a videotape record of the creation process and ceremony. The feature documentary, "Thongdrol" , about this work is now being developed with Living Films, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

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White Conch

A traditional sewing and Tibetan festival tent factory located in Lhasa Tibet.

I will be adding a new range of products they are producing in Lhasa including applique thangka.

The factory that has worked with us on past projects, continues working with us on the new Tsurphu silk appliques projects. The first, the Norbu Drabje was completed for the Lunar New Year Festival summer 2007 . We are now starting the fourth project, the Tsechu Drabje.

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The Stupa

Stupas are ancient monuments dedicated to the Buddha.

The  first Tibetan chorten (stupa) in theUSA, the Huelo Stupa was built and consecrated by His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, Maui, Hawaii in the year 1976. (The short video is available here of its consecration.) The history of its making, as well as of other stupas in the West and East. Several photo and video galleries can be seen here.  More stupa information and photos are being added.

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