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Nepal Buying Trip 2024

In the Heart of Artistry

Walking the streets of Nepal is like taking a step back in time with its narrow streets and temples at every corner. I spend each day walking around, refreshing old relationships, and looking for new artisans to work with.

I’ve been sharing these special moments on our Instagram page. If you haven’t already, make sure to follow us @LotusSculpture for a daily dose of inspiration and a closer look at the wonders of Nepal.

Click the video below to watch the process of transforming plain copper statues into golden wonders.

Discovering this extraordinary Vajradharara statue was certainly a highlight of my trip. Crafted by not one, but five incredible master artisans whose talents know no bounds. Adorned with sapphire, coral, turquoise, lapis lazuli, and ruby stones, the statue is a kaleidoscope of meaning and beauty. Showcasing six months of dedication, the intricate detailing, hand-painting, and gold plating are a testament to the skill that thrives in Nepal.

Watch the video below to get an up-close look at this Nepalese Vajradhara statue and learn more about the process of creating such a masterpiece.

March 3rd, 2023

I’ve just returned from my buying trip, which included my final stop in Indonesia where I found myself captivated by the rows of moss-covered stone statues amidst the thick air left behind by the previous night’s rain. I couldn’t help but fall in love with these beautiful sculptures every time I laid eyes on them, and my weakness for their allure led me to purchase not one but two 40-foot containers full of them. These exquisite stone statues are set to arrive just in time for the spring gardening season in April-May.

Nyoman and I have been collaborating since 2004. His exceptional talent is immediately apparent in the delicate and fluid lines he carves into his Buddha statues, as exemplified by the plump and content Buddha he’s currently holding. The expression on the statue’s face is unlike anything else you’ll find in the Indonesian market, and to top it off, the Buddha is even holding a cup of coffee!

As an art enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for artists who possess the ability to create something truly distinctive with a style that’s unmistakably their own.

For 19 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Wayan Sabur and his son. Whenever I step into their workshop, I’m always greeted by Wayan’s warm and welcoming smile, which reflects his joyous outlook on life. He takes each day as it comes and truly enjoys every moment.

Despite the different perception of time in Indonesia, I’ve often commissioned custom orders with Wayan, only to return the next year to find them partially completed.

One of his remarkable creations is a stunning Buddha standing on a blooming lotus. The intricate carving of the Buddha’s robes is exceptional, resembling the undulating waves of the ocean more than traditional cloth. This design is so unique that I always purchase every statue he creates in this style.

Artists like Wayan used to be more common in Indonesia, but their time is dwindling. Thankfully, his son is ready to continue his father’s legacy by carrying on his designs and artistry into the next generation.

What do you think of these doors? Teak wood doors. Should Lotus Sculpture start importing them?

What do you think of this teak wood root decorative piece? It will be polished and cleaned up. It is unique in that it is just fine outdoors as well as indoors. It is monstrous too with a size of 8 feet by 8 feet. It is one of those unique pieces that you just do not see anymore.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Echo for around 15 years. He works at a stone workshop and is a true character, as evidenced by his mischievous grin and playful demeanor, as seen in the photo of him holding his dentures.

Echo is like a large feline in his approach to work – he only works when he needs money and takes days off to rest and relax when his pockets are full. His lifestyle has earned him the nickname “Sultan Echo” since he lives like a sultan, sleeping when he’s satisfied and only working when he has to.

Personally, I love his approach to life. What a fantastic way to live – enjoying the fruits of your labor and only working when necessary!

Borobudur & Prambanan Temples of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

February 23rd, 2023

I have been wanting to go to the famous Buddhist temple of Borobudur and the Hindu temple of Prambanan since my backpacking days. I have seen the temples in Bagan, Burma, and Angkor Wat in Cambodia and this was the last piece to the 3 sacred, must-see, sights of South East Asia. Needless to say, I was not disappointed!

Wandering around Prambanan I was like a kid in a candy store. I started off in the furthest, least impressive temple. It is my philosophy when seeing temples to always start at the least impressive first and build your way to the most impressive. This way you don’t start off with amazing and then just get disappointed with seeing everything else. (I think the reverse is true with food. I always start with the best and work my way to the worst). I love the feeling of an abandoned ruin. Walking alone up the steps and through the narrow temple doors you feel like you are the first person to step foot into the temple for the past 500 years, Marco Polo made a discovery for the world. It is an amazing feeling that only lasts until some tourist in sneakers comes into your picture frame when you are looking for that perfect shot! But the feeling is there…you are an explorer!

A magnetic Ganesha statue I fell in love with inside one of the temples of Prambanan

I am a huge Pink Floyd fan. They have a famous live recording of them playing in the ruins of Pompei, Italy. Walking around Prambanan that first day I had the soundtrack to this playing in my mind…..I could literally hear Richard Wright belting out the crescendo in the epic song, Echoes as I climbed over the rocks and surveyed the temple!

Sunrise bathing Borobudur temple in its misty, pink glow. After 25 years of wanting to go, I finally laid eyes on it!

The next day I woke up at 4 am to catch the sunrise peak over the horizon and bask in its light on the Buddhist temple of Borobudur. It was amazing! The whole complex is set up like a mandala (a Buddhist depiction of the universe) with a huge stupa in the middle with 18 huge stupas surrounding it. The stupas were enormous and impressive, each containing a Buddha statue inside the stupa. There were 4 levels to the temple, each containing a story from either the Buddha’s life or the Ramayana epic. The carvings were all absolute masterpieces.

It is an amazing thing when you get to experience something that you have been waiting for for over 25 years! It is good to know that there is still some adventure out there, you just have to get out there and discover it!

Thailand

February 17th, 2023

Jew is an artist who creates stunning Buddha statues with intricate patinas that boast an impressive level of texture and depth. I ordered a set of his statues four months ago and they are currently in the process of being colored and patinaed. I have yet to find an artist who can match the quality of Jew’s work

Three years ago, when I was in Bangkok, I had the pleasure of meeting Aon for the first time. He was only 17 and was helping out his family. Fast forward to today and Aon is 20. He was beaming with pride when he showed me the Ganesha statue he had made entirely by himself, from the wax model to the casting and coloring. This is an impressive feat considering it’s usually a group effort. Seeing Aon carry on the tradition of statue-making was encouraging and gave me hope for the future of the industry. It’s often discouraging to hear news of the older masters passing away without any new students to take their place, but Aon is a glimmer of light in the darkness.

It’s fantastic to observe, female artisans in the statue-making process! Many women are involved in the painting and decorating of traditional Thai Buddhas.

During my shopping trip, I stumbled upon these stunning photos of revered Thai monks. I couldn’t resist purchasing them to add a unique touch to my warehouse. It’s always so exciting to find such lovely, unexpected items!

I have had the great fortune to be friends with Jew and Jin for 16 years. It’s been wonderful to watch our relationship grow and develop over the years, just like a flower blooming in the spring. Our friendship has been a blessing, and I’m so grateful for the long-lasting bond we’ve been able to share.

My trip to Thailand ended with a half day of sightseeing. In my 30 years of visiting Bangkok, I was still surprised by the number of sights to take in. While I have often admired Wat Arun from the river, I had never taken the opportunity to visit it until my recent trip. If you’re ever in Bangkok, I highly recommend a short ferry ride across the river from the Grand Palace to Wat Arun. It’s well worth it!

Marble Artists of Central Vietnam

January 18th, 2023

This visit to Vietnam has been an unforgettable experience. From the bustling city streets to the beautiful rural landscapes, Vietnam is full of wonder. The second stop on my Asia buying trip was central Vietnam, where our hand-carved, marble statues come to life!

Every trip to Asia gives me the chance to step away from the normal patterns of my life and allows me to think differently. Jumping over puddles, dodging the occasional marble projectile as I walk through the streets filled with artists carving marble statues, my mind is free to wander. I always come up with my best ideas when I am strolling around looking for statues.

During this perfectly happy time, I jumped across a puddle thinking I was landing in a tiny puddle only to discover it was a much deeper lake of marble dust sinking both shoes up to my ankle in sludge. This started my day of marble shopping in Vietnam. Thankfully the day got much better!

I was immediately drawn to these amazing sculptures (pictured above). I had seen them before in paintings but had never seen sculptures of them. They are Noi, fierce temple guardians who embody good and evil (yin & yang). The detail and realism of the pair are just amazing with their intense stare and rippling muscles. Watching these magnificent statues being carved is a truly awe-inspiring experience. The skill and dedication of the artisans is remarkable, as they transform single blocks of simple marble into beautiful, intricately carved works of art. I cannot wait to have them in our warehouse to keep all the negative energy from entering!

I have known Lan and Huong for 15 years. After dinner, we all went to a dessert restaurant where I tried 5 different dishes of variations of fruit and coconut milk each stranger and more delicious than the previous dish. I asked her why it was that Vietnamese people were so happy and carefree. She replied with a simple answer that was actually the perfect answer….”We feel safe.”

I meditated on this while staring out the window on the ride back home to my hotel room. When I sat on my bed I immediately deleted all my news apps on my phone. Nothing inspires division, fear and hate more than our modern media. Good riddance!

Kuan pictured above is one of the main artists who is in charge of the final finer details of a sculpture. When I first started Lotus Sculpture 22 years ago, I used to think that one person carved each statue. That is not the case. Each statue is carved by a group of artists with each person responsible for a different aspect of the statue.

There are separate people who are responsible for:

1. The rough cut: Artists cut out the outline of the statue from a solid block of marble.
2. Carving the entire body and shape of the face.
3. Carving the intricate details of the robes.
4. Carving the finer details like the facial expression and slender curves of the fingers.
5. Sanding and polishing the final statue.

Highly skilled artists, like Kuan, carve the most important aspect of the statue; the face and hands. Just watching him work for 10 minutes and seeing the smile of Avalokiteshvara come to life is pure bliss for me!