Li Po series

 

"After hearing composer Mario Lavista introduce his avant-garde music, I ran back stage to meet him.  With tears of emotion in my eyes, I invited Lavista and his partner to join my husband and me in my studio.

"Mario Lavista promised to send me a recording of his music in exchange for a pastel drawing which he chose while in my studio.  After I received it, with the help of technicians, Lavista’s music came out of my oval sculpture as you approached it.  This sculpture, fabricated for an office building, was the first of several of my sculptures up to 26 feet that played music as you approached them.  Later, I put Lavista’s music in my musical chair.  People were inspired to meditate when they sat down on Throne of Serenity and the music within the chair began to play. 

"After meeting Lavista, I immediately went to the library and checked out a book of Li Po poetry.  I quickly chose lines that inspired me and I produced the following series of Li Po pastel drawings."

 
Li Po #11984, pastel on paper, 16x20 inchesLured by flowers, I lean on a rock and suddenly it becomes dark

Li Po #1
1984, pastel on paper, 16x20 inches

Lured by flowers, I lean on a rock and suddenly it becomes dark

Li Po #4
1984, pastel on paper, 16x20 in

How like a bolt of white silk this water, turning the earth into a flattened sky

Li Po #7
1984, pastel on paper, 16x20in

A lone boat, a sliver of moon facing the maple woods

Li Po #10
1984, pastel on paper, 16x20 inches

Wild bamboos divide the blue haze; Tumbling waterfalls hang from the green cliffs.

Li Po #13
1984, pastel on paper, 16x20in

I scale the mountain among azure clouds.  Halfway up appears the sun in the sea.

Li Po #2
1984, pastel on paper, 16x20 in

Mountain views merge with thousand sheets of rain.

Li Po #5
1984, pastel on paper, 16x20in

Clouds turn dark with a hint of rain; On the placid waters.

Li Po #8
1984, pastel on paper, 16x20in

The setting sun about to vanish west of the Hsien Hill. Lost among the flowers, I wear a hat upside down.

Li Po #11
1984, pastel on paper, 16x20 inches

Here mountain scenery delights the birds, and the reflections in the pond empty a man’s mind.

Li Po #3
1984, pastel on paper, 16x20in

The furnace fire lights up earth and sky. Red sparks fly pell mell into purple smoke

Li Po #6
1984, pastel on paper, 16x20in

I raise my cup to invite the moon to join me; It and my shadow make a party of three. 

Li Po #9
1984, pastel on paper, 16x20in

A bright moon rising above T’ien Shan; Lost in a vast ocean of clouds.

Li Po #12
1984, pastel on paper, 16x20 inches

His lone sail’s far shadow vanishes into the azure void.