108 Repetitions

Hello Fans,
I have returned to the studio after a week of rest from a successful Open Studio! My latest idea is to push my 108 Prayer Project a little further. I want to incorporate the photographs from this project into my paintings by transferring the photos onto canvas. There has been a strong internal response to incorporate that acts of meditation into my paintings using repetitive marks, shapes, colors and objects for quite some time now.
Yesterday I jessoed 108, 5X7 cards. I plan on painting each one. Now, I don’t know what the paintings may be of… however I will let the process create the outcome. I am not attached to any set idea. Which is how I paint anyway. I truly believe in the idea of allowing each moment to unfold on its own. A practice I am trying to do in my daily life as well.
I began summer 2010 by celebration with my Yoga teacher and community by repeating the same position 108 times. It was both beautiful and challenging. I felt like I was part of something bigger than I will ever know. The number 108 is considered sacred in many Eastern religions and traditions. However, in Tibetan Buddhism it is believed that there are 108 sins. And in Japan, at the end of the year they ring a bell 108 times to welcome the New Year. Each ring represents 108 earthly temptations a person must overcome to achieve nirvana. I also found out that in mathematics the number 108 is an abundant number and a semi perfect number as well. I also learned that there are 108 pressure points in the body, where consciousness and flesh intersects to give life to the living being.
As you can see I am consumed by the power of the number 108 and I plan on translating that into my painting process. I look forward to sharing my journey and discovering the many ways in which I can be part of this powerful number threw my paintings and my daily actions.I have included some photos of the work in progress in the studio.