Learing the technique of Gilding in the Atelier

For a special order of an ikonostasis we painted the halo of the Saints using the old technique of real oil gilding.The technique of oil gilding involves the application of a base coat of oil varnice on which the gold leafs is appliced.

 Our restaurator has offered to show and to teach us the classical way of gilding.

This precious old technique gives more beauty to every painting and makes icons more shiney. 

This elaborate technique needs a lot of pation, concentration and skill.

Our small group were very happy to spend time together making new experiencies in creative work for Gurujis Art Projects.

Creative Day in the Atelier of SPN

Last weekend we had a very interesting painting course whith the goal of painting Babaji.

(see next report in the Art Blog). For the course our artist Mataji Gitangali came from Portugal.

Mataji Gitanjali by drawing

During her stay most of our artist gathered in the atelier to discuss upcoming art projects and we used the time also to paint together.

We had experienced an unique silence and unity and we all felt a great blessing during these days.

Mataji Uma by painting

It is always nice to feel the creative force to create something new and express spirituality and beauty through art work.

Jaahnvi by painting an icon of the Holy Mother

Drawing Icon

PRESENTATION OF THE ICON PAINTING IN SPN/ATELIER

During the visit of a large group of Polish devotees we had also the opportunity to present the art work of Bhakti Marga Art to them. 

There was a great interest in this and all seats in the atelier were occupied. With great joy also three children participated at this short workshop.

The visitors drew an icon and the basic techniques of icon-painting were presented.

Before, the different styles of this religious painting were explained with examples of icons in our church.

Here you will see some photos of this workshop.

"Painting is Meditation"

Bhakti Marga Art: „Painting is meditation" (Sri Swami Vishwananda) 

„Bhakti Marga Art“ as a project came into being and was formed through the teachings of Sri Swami Vishwananda. Our beloved Guruji gave us the blessing to go the path of devotion through painting of holy pictures and expressing ourselves through them. When we paint and are concentrated we come into a peaceful inner state where there are no more thoughts. To be in this stillness and to merge with the Divine while painting a picture activates our creative forces. This Bhakti Marga Art-Project took birth ten years ago in a small group in our first Ashram in Steffenshof. At that time we painted our first icons for a chapel directly next to the ashram. 

Under the guidance of our guru Sri Swami Vishwananda and in collaboration with Him, the foundation stone was laid for Bhakti Marga Art. Since then we are teaching this kind of art in various seminars. Today we are a group of dedicated artists who continue this work since then. In the course of the years a great number of icons and spiritual paintings were created. Many of them can be seen in our main centre in Shree Peetha Nilaya in the temple area where also our art studio is. Here we work creatively; pictures are painted, things are restored and the art of painting is taught. Some of our artists live abroad where they have their own studio for „Bhakti Marga Art“. But they come regularly to us to paint pictures or do wall painting. Many of our pictures can also be seen in different Bhakti Marga centres abroad. In this blog we will inform you from now on about our art-projects and seminars. 

We would like to introduce our art-team, talk about interesting themes and make reports about religious art. We are very happy to have this possibility to make this wonderful and pioneering project of Sri Swami Vishwananda more and more known to the world. Shree Peetha Nilaya is a very special place where spiritual art is made and presented in many ways. 
Jai Guru Dev 
Bhakti Marga Art Team 
Mataji Jaahnvi