Indian Hand block prints

The blocks we use for our printing!

THE BLOCKS

These are Cheryl’s designs.  All block designs and combinations are © Cheryl Kolander 2007.

 

Padma (above left) and  Padmapani (above right).  These are variations of sacred Buddhist symbols representing, at each center, the inner soul, then radiating out: the body, family, circle of friends and companions, blossoming out into the world.  These versions Cheryl evolved from traditional “kalamkari” prints, still practiced in the region where were the ancient Buddhist states of central India.

 

Ajanta Love (above left) and Dancing Dogwoods (above right) are based on original sketches by Cheryl Kolander made during her pilgrimage to the Ajanta caves of central India.  These are ancient teaching centers filled with fresco murals, wonders of the eastern art world.  The murals tell the stories of exemplary lives which form the basis of teaching the Buddhist philosophy of loving kindness.

 

Isis (above left) and the Cheryl -blossom (above right) are based on original sketches inspired by the cherry blossoms of San Francisco’s Japanese garden in Golden Gate Park.  The individual petals have a form suggesting ‘heart’; the combination of five petals creates the original ‘Cheryl-blossom’.  Other delightful combinations that have been invented by the block artists include the 4-leaf clover, the trefoil, the 2-petaled kiss, and chain of hearts.  With other blocks the artists have created the Swedish star, the flower-sun-star, the Isis box (with treasure inside!) and many large mandalas and sunbursts.

All blocks are hand carved.  The art of block carving is very fine and advanced.  The delicacy of the lines is phenomenal.  The adherence to my line drawings is meticulous.  Blocks are quite deliberately designed to be slightly not-quite regular.  This adds to the dynamic dimensionality of the piece.

New blocks will be added from time to time.  They will include sacred designs from many traditions, with something Celtic next in line.  I will continue to create symbols to inspire fruitful meditations.  The block artists have some designs of their own to add.

Custom blocks:  certainly!  An initial investment and minimum purchase will apply.