Oreo Mandala
It’s almost that time again. Today I registered for my annual Open Studio as part of the RiverArts Tour the weekend of April 16th and 17th, 2016 – which is coming up fast.
Naturally, I started thinking about what to hang and where, including this Oreo Mandala Limited Edition Print.
“Oreo Mandala” by Beverly Shipko, Limited Edition Giclee Print (run of 150) , Available framed (27 x 27 inches) and unframed (20 x 20 inches)
I love the visual impact of this print. And I love what it represents.
It brings back memories of happy times on so many levels. This print commemorates past Oreo Cookie Contests, which I sponsore during RiverArts Studio Tour, and all the enthusiastic kids and adults who participate every year.
Each Oreo represents a different contestant who joyfully chomped down on a cookie for a chance to win and earn the honor of having a painting named after them.
The lower left hand Oreo was bitten by Maisie, granddaughter of my good friend friend Linda, who shyly bit her entry and quickly put it on the table before she could change her mind. On the second row at the right, we see my friend Carol’s Oreo with its scattered pieces. I can see her laughing as she took a bite and the cookie made a mess – a good thing from my perspective since crumbs are interesting to paint.
I thought a lot about what to put in the middle, and decided to use my own cookie in the center – an image which led to my largest painting on this subject called Cosmic Oreo, currently available at Cavalier Galleries in Nantucket, MA. The central image take me into the realm of outer space, evoking comets and stars in the sky. It also brings me back to the days when I ate all the Oreos I wanted without feeling guilty.
“Comic Oreo” by Beverly Shipko, Oil painting, 24 x 36 inches, Available at Cavalier Galleries
Most of the other cookies are anonymous since participants didn’t leave their name, including the masculine cookie in the lower right which somehow makes me think about floating icebergs.
When I look at this print, I also think about March Madness and the NCAA Basketball Tournament. Why, you might ask? Every year I watch the tournament for hours on end, but find it difficult to paint at the same time. I feel badly about all the “wasted” time. Finally, I discovered that I can sketch instead! That’s when I drew the original nine 6 x 6 inch drawings that formed the basis for Oreo Mandala.
The final Oreo Mandala concept was inspired both by a Mandala & Meditation art workshop and a mandala exhibit at the Rubin Museum, where I learned more about how Buddhists used mandalas to meditate and escape to the spiritual realm. I thought deep meditation on Oreo Cookies would provide the ultimate test of one’s ability to transcend earthly pleasures, and Oreo Mandala was born.. As I write this, I can see my recently deceased friend and meditation mentor, Bob Mawson, a Buddhist monk who taught meditation in Thailand and in Tarrytown, NY for many years, smiling down on me.
I hope you enjoy this print as much as I do.