Amritanandamayi Ma's visit to NYC

Only one week until Amma's darshan..........I can't wait!!!

Returning to blogging soon, but I'm in the midst of a two-week break for re-organizing, hosting several special guests who I'm really looking forward to seeing---some old friends and my Florida cousin are coming to town, and this week to enjoy the three days of festivities when Amma, my Indian guru is here in NYC, including darshan (she offers hugs to thousands throughout the three day period), pujas (religious ceremony), live music, chanting monks, clothing & jewelry bazaar, vegetarian Indian food, and Devi Bhava.

Attending Amma darshan is a fascinating, internationally flavored experience. No cameras are permitted, so I can't share it in photos, but to give you a few highlights, so far I sat next to a woman who flew in from Paris (where Amma also tours), watched darshan taking place while Hindus intermingled with people from many religions and cultures, and while Voices of Unity, a large choir from Unity Church in Manhattan simultaneously stood behind Amma singing some rousing gospel songs after the swamis did a round of bhajans (devotional music). I even saw Iggy Pop milling around.

If it sounds like something you'd like to try out, it costs nothing to attend, and Amma is probably coming to a town near you. Here's a link to the North American part of her annual world tour.

"Mary in Amma in Kimberly"

my Indian wedding sari

I had some errands today, including a trip to the art store for a few new pastels and pastel pencils, so I'll try for adding another photo of my progress on the pastel of Kimberly later tonite, but I promised to talk a little about my decision on it's title.  When we did the photo-shoot of Kimberly for the series of works I wanted to do of her, I had a number of white fabrics I used as veils, but I also tried putting my Indian wedding sari on her as another kind of Mary veil, and we wound up using this special sari in about 50% of the photographs I took.  I love my Indian wedding sari, and it hangs in the doorway of my studio these days.  I was told when I bought it in a small shop in the East Village that this particular kind of wedding sari is from the 1970's and is not made anymore, since the beads were sewn on by hand.  

It felt apropos for Kimberly to wear it, because it was Kimberly who introduced me to Amritanandamayi Ma.  In fact, Kimberly and her husband were honored to be married in 2003 with Amma performing the wedding ceremony.  

This was one of the poses that to me is a portrait of both the 'Mary' in Kimberly and the 'Amma' in her also, and since I've explained how, for me,  Amma is a kind of living manifestation of Mary, it feels like both in that way also.  Hence the somewhat mystifying title of "Mary in Amma in Kimberly".  It feels just right somehow.

I want to thank Kathleen Coy who yesterday was the third person to honor me with the "Passion for Painting" award.  It's truly an honor each time it is passed, and since I've recently responded to this award, and will be responding to it again for my miniature blog, (on April 5 after my painting sale), I'll simply recommend that you check out Kathleen's beautiful dog portraits, paintings and photographs.  Apart from appreciating Kathleen's creativity, I'm a little in love with her sweet dog Cloud too!