Thursday, February 2, 2012

PPF: Prayer Flags O'er my Home

I've been thinking a lot about prayer flags lately. It seems to me that they could be the next big thing in the world of crafting design. They would build on the bunting/flag trend but bring an ethnic and spiritual flavor as well.  Plus, I think we're ready to move away from all the vintage colors into something a little brighter (but still subtle). So, when prayer flags start popping up on stamps and patterned paper, you can say you read it here first!
Today's acrylic painting is a page in my art journal. I definitely see myself turning it into a canvas in the not too distant future (sans journaling). Prayer flags are hung in two different styles - horizontally between two points or vertically on a pole. Traditionally, there are five flags, flown in the colors and order shown above.  The center of the flag features a winged horse, and there are four spiritual animals (an eagle, a dragon, a snow leopard and a tiger) in the corners. Mantras are written on the reverse side. I'm happy with my stylized versions of these animals on the prayer flags flying over my home.  My "home" and the journaling both refer to my "one little word" for 2012 - I'm tending this year to my physical home, the relationships which form the home for my heart, and also striving to find my artistic home.
Thanks for stopping by for Paint Party Friday (for more great painting, go to this link). Tomorrow, come by to see some of my 29 faces and stop by Sunday for Storytelling Sunday (Photo Version).
And do tell, what do you think about my prayer flag theory?
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37 comments:

  1. AmyFebruary 2, 2012 at 10:13 PM

    I wouldn't mind that trend ... bunting looks cute but it's not me!

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  2. Helen CampbellFebruary 2, 2012 at 10:49 PM

    Great journal page! I think your prayer flag theory is spot on. Our local journal group created them recently as our group project, ala Karen Michel, who taught a class a couple of years ago at Artfest on them. There are so many options you can do... :)
    Happy PPF!

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  3. Ayala ArtFebruary 2, 2012 at 10:50 PM

    Never heard of those flags before, but they sound great for art! What a nice page, your home :o) I'll be back tomorrow!

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  4. KokopelliFebruary 3, 2012 at 1:47 AM

    I saw a documentation about the ancient tea route lately and there were a lot of prayer flags in the Himalaya.

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  5. NettyFebruary 3, 2012 at 2:22 AM

    Love your idea of prayer flags. Thank you for sharing. Happy PPF, Annette x

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  6. scrappyjackyFebruary 3, 2012 at 2:57 AM

    I've never heard of prayer flags before....but they seem like a good idea....and that's a lovely,bright page.

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  7. BeverlyFebruary 3, 2012 at 5:05 AM

    I have never heard of prayer flags either so will definitely be able to say I heard it here first! I have never been drawn to vintage so am quite happy to hear your prediction ;)

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  8. SianFebruary 3, 2012 at 5:23 AM

    I certainly did read about them here first - I've never heard of them before. But I see I'm not the only one. It's an interesting idea indeed

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  9. CheriFebruary 3, 2012 at 5:24 AM

    I have never heard of prayer flags before either... definitely heard it here first! Now I need to go off and google it to find out the origin!

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  10. Mary C. NasserFebruary 3, 2012 at 6:34 AM

    Lovely journal page.
    I actually just read about prayer flags in Art Saves this week, and think it is a fascinating idea and piece to create.
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  11. NordljusFebruary 3, 2012 at 7:35 AM

    Such a lovely journal page, and very interesting to read about the prayer flags. I've seen them, but didn't really know much about them. Also love your word! Happy PPF!

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  12. Karen IsaacsonFebruary 3, 2012 at 7:38 AM

    nice journal page - I love prayer flags. (agree with what you said about the vintage colors)
    Jane LaFazio has been making some amazing prayer flags - she blows me away.

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  13. GlorV1February 3, 2012 at 8:00 AM

    Great page Rinda. Love it! As for the prayer flags, I did a post in late summer I believe and hung up about 20 small prayer flags that I had painted on old sheet material. Part of it is still hanging over the window on my studio outside. I think it's great. I've heard that when the wind catches the flags and they move that it is the spirt of loved ones visiting. I think it's great. Take care and be well. Happy PPF!

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  14. carlareyFebruary 3, 2012 at 8:51 AM

    I love prayer flags, they are such a beautiful tangible symbol of looking for meaning.

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  15. Anne MandaFebruary 3, 2012 at 9:11 AM

    Wonderful page, love the vivid colors! <3
    Happy PPF!

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  16. ChristineFebruary 3, 2012 at 10:13 AM

    what a neat idea, you've done a good job with it!

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  17. fayeFebruary 3, 2012 at 10:48 AM

    Such great colors.

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  18. nancy yFebruary 3, 2012 at 10:54 AM

    you may be spot on! Love the colors of this and I didn't know about prayer flags. We are probably all in need of some brighter colors, livens things up!

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  19. ComfyMom~StaceyFebruary 3, 2012 at 11:13 AM

    Love the flags. I know digitally scrapping with bunting or other triangle shaped hangings is popular. Prayer flags are an easy step from their

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  20. AlisonFebruary 3, 2012 at 11:16 AM

    I've never heard of Prayer Flags either..and I DO love the colours!
    Alison xx

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  21. AnonymousFebruary 3, 2012 at 11:28 AM

    I haven't heard of prayer flags in the crafting world, but I first encountered them two years ago at Devils Tower on a sacred burying ground of Native Americans.

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  22. Alicia CFebruary 3, 2012 at 11:30 AM

    I love the simplicity of this piece - the bright colours and solid shapes.

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  23. DebbieFebruary 3, 2012 at 1:01 PM

    Prayer flags are a wonderful idea. You could do them with silk painting. :)

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  24. EVAFebruary 3, 2012 at 1:38 PM

    Charming. I know some people are into prayer flags. Not sure I will ever be...

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  25. Renee!February 3, 2012 at 2:03 PM

    Hi Rinda! I love the concept of prayer flags flying over my house!!! You are fabulous!
    Thanks for commenting on my post and happy paint party friday to you girlie!!!
    Renee
    xoxo

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  26. ANNEFebruary 3, 2012 at 3:44 PM

    so cute, love the prayer flags!

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  27. IreneFebruary 3, 2012 at 7:08 PM

    I can say I heard about Prayer Flags from you first. I like the idea and all the colors.

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  28. SunshineshelleFebruary 3, 2012 at 10:06 PM

    We have them up in our house but I love the graphic boldness of yours in this artwork - great stuff & Happy PPF :)

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  29. carol l mckennaFebruary 4, 2012 at 7:40 AM

    Wonderfully done! ~ I have tattered and torn prayer flags on my deck ~ Yours are much more colorful ~ namaste, carol (Share the Creative Journey) Happy PPF ^_^

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  30. CarolFebruary 4, 2012 at 11:15 AM

    I love ,love your journal page and I think you've hit the nail on the head with the prayer flags. I really like the 29 faces challenge idea too!

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  31. DVArtistFebruary 4, 2012 at 3:52 PM

    Prayer flags are a wonderful way to send out the energy of your desires. Very nice.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  32. deeplyrootedinbeingFebruary 4, 2012 at 4:21 PM

    I love prayer flags and there meanings as well! Such a cute picture! Thank you for sharing!

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  33. HeARTworksFebruary 5, 2012 at 5:24 AM

    Delightful drawing! Where did prayer flags originate? Somewhere like nepal? Patsy from
    HeARTworks

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  34. GeckostoneFebruary 5, 2012 at 10:33 AM

    Oh I never heard of prayer flags, what a wonderful idea! Your painting is charming, I love it!

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  35. Gloria j ZucaroFebruary 6, 2012 at 7:57 PM

    This is the first I have heard of them, but I bet they would be popular! You had better trademark them quickly! :)

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  36. LizzieFebruary 7, 2012 at 2:08 PM

    Oh, such a colourful and gorgeous page! I also love the little prayer flags - especially against the blue of your "sky" background. Lovely!
    I had a custom project last year for a lady who wanted a special sketchbook. She had a Buddhist theme in mind - we made this: http://lizziemade.blogspot.com/2011/05/in-post-today.html
    (scroll down to the 3rd book!)
    Perhaps I should make some more of those little flag-strings... They'd make nice little gifts too. Hmm...

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  37. AnonymousFebruary 8, 2012 at 7:07 PM

    Stunning journal page!

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