This colorful happy Buddha has been traveling around with me for many years. He's made of solid concrete and yet is very detailed. I'm amazed at the skill of the person who painted him. He's holding prayer beads in one hand and a bag in his other hand. He's about 12 inches tall and 7 inches wide.
The pattern on his kimono is raised and so is the dragon and the crane depicted on the reverse. He must have been made many years ago when more detail was put into concrete statuary. I don't put him outside because I don't want the paint to fade. He has felt applied to the bottom, so whoever originally had him must have also kept him indoors. I'm not sure of the symbolism of the colorful circles surround the bottom but a happy buddha supposedly brings happiness and prosperity.
Today I'm trying to focus on the good and not let the negative vibes get me down. Several negative circumstances happened recently. For example I recently received an email from a blogger whose blog I commented on. This is what they said: "I am no longer am publishing comments from visitors that are selling wares. You have a very nice blog/website that I feel serves you well. Each of us has an intent in blogging – mine is culture uncontaminated. Best to you in your business pursuits".
My comment on their blog was a compliment about their photography and post; I wasn't selling them pottery by commenting on their blog. I did notice this blogger does accept comments from others who sell wares from their blog. I'm not sure how a pottery blog contaminates culture. My blog is about sharing my studio practice, sharing recipes, tips on making pottery, love of nature, photos, travel, telling stories, and more. Maybe I'm overly sensitive, but sometimes the hurtful things people say or do, even some acts of omission, really get me down.
I've found when folks are negative or hurtful, they are hurting and unconsciously or not, they may hurt someone back to help relieve their hurt. I hope my happy Buddha brings healing to those who may be hurting. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
Firstly, what a lovely Buddha - the detailing is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, and more importantly, I love your blog.
I read it because it is filled with beauty and delight in the same small, important things, in life which I enjoy. I also really enjoy the privilege of watching the creative process. Long may it continue.
I'd love to know some of the symbolism on your buddha. Let us know if you find out. So sorry someone had to dump their own negativity out in your direction...be the duck, let it just roll off your back ! Comments are really kind of editorial, and I guess represent the person's own views...kind of what happens when someone sees something that strikes their fancy (at least for me that's when I have something to say). Otherwise I just shut up. Be glad that person has made that decision too!
ReplyDeleteI follow several artist's blogs and enjoy each as I follow their individual creative processes. And...I thought blogs are for whatever??? As Barbara said, "be the duck..." ommmmm...!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so fortunate to have found this fellow. The seated hotais I have found have been so poorly made that I am considering making my own.
ReplyDeleteYour blog does not strike me as being a selling site. It's a large space out there. A lot of people have their own very personal agendas that many of us really don't need.
That Buddha is really beautiful, it should make you smile.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame that other blogger wants to miss out on the community that many of us have created by reading and commenting on other's blogs. We learn a lot from each other, we are entertained and we form a sort of friendship. I feel bad for him/her and am sorry that person made you feel bad too. Let the Buddha's smile fill your heart with warmth.
I love the wide range of topics in your blog. It's always something different! I'm confused why that poor soul thought you were just selling stuff--perhaps they have extremely poor sales resistance!(?)
ReplyDeleteIt also begs the question, if they didn't like your blog anymore, why not just stop reading it and move on--why was it necessary to be "in your face" about it?
Blog on, Linda! So sorry you have met with such negativity. I love all your posts and love it when you come visit my blog. When I at the grindstone or have no access (camping) I come back and read past posts, too. I've been thinking about those chocolate tomatoes and all those lovely slab plates. I also love the buddha with all the rich and detail colors!
ReplyDeleteGreat details on that Buddah!
ReplyDeleteAs for that rude blogger... some people just don't "get it" and it's his or her loss. Your blog is wonderful! :)
i don't get how making a comment on someone's blog means you are trying to sell something. I guess they don't care that they lost a reader or hurt someone's feelings.
ReplyDeleteYour Buddha is very cool. It's hard to find nice ones. I have a small one that is very pretty but it's made of resin... I wish it were made of something else. I think that Smartcat has the right idea about making our own.
I like your blog, your art, your insights, so I can say with total accuracy that commentor was a jerk. I think he may be far too intellectual to be effective. The buddha is charming. And, painted by a real artist who also sold him to a happy customer.
ReplyDeletePut it down to the heat, Linda, our four days of summer! I see I've added myself to your blog already. Poor old thing is trying to do too many things at once. :0)
ReplyDeleteVery nice Buddha statue. Yes, you should make one yourself.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the person who felt they had to make a comment like that. Tacky! Your blog is so interesting, and I read it because I like you. I've never bought a thing from you (yet) and I've never felt when you stopped by my blog you were trying to sell me something. Just let it go on by...
Hi Elaine, thanks so much, sometimes I just can't fathom the strange responses of folks.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara, thanks, I know the empty bag means that the buddha would lead a ascetic life, one without lots of possessions and the beads of course were for prayer to live a more pure life. but the items at the bottom I have no idea. and then there is the crane and dragon on the back, amazing detail for concrete. I just thought it an odd response.
Hi Turquoisemoon, thanks, I was having a hard time being a duck today, one other person I know blocked me from their blog and I have been nothing but supportive to them, I emailed them and they didn't even bother to email me back. This all had me in a real funk today.
Hi Suzi, thanks, some things just aren't made like they used to be that's for sure.
yes, must be their own personal agenda for sure.
Hi Lori, thanks, the buddha is amazing for sure; and someone else slighted me today too so that was just too much for one week.
Hi Ms. Sparrow, thanks, I like to write about all kinds of topics and I hope other potters learn something here too. I made a comment on their blog and they sent me a personal email to say they wouldn't post my comment, maybe it was a control issue. who knows.
Hi Michele, thanks, that's was I thought, how was I selling pottery by making a comment. I have several buddhas but this one is the most detailed and unusual - I got him in an antique store in Roseville California years and years ago.
Hi Joanne, thanks, yes must be far too intellectual and I didn't even show you my response to their email. Ha.
Hi Carole, thanks, yes it must be heat stroke for sure.
Hi Barbara, thanks, it was just so strange, and then I had this other circumstance this week and it was all just too much to take.
Hi Charlene, thanks, too much negativity for sure, I don't need it and have a hard time with it.
ReplyDeleteI do that with blogs too, go back and read other posts. I need to make more slab plates, but they take up so much room in the kiln. If I had enough call for them I'd get one of those plate stacker things. I've been eating those tomatoes as fast as they ripen for little snacks. Ha.
Hi Marguerite, thanks, I guess you are right some folks just don't get it, and sometimes I don't either. Ha.
ReplyDelete