feel good art

Like a medallion from an ancient Hindu temple, Om appears on a wall sculpture by Thai artisan Somyot Sawasdee. He crafts the round wall panel by hand with recycled paper and cement, and finishes it with green and gold paint, creating the illusion of an aged bronze piece. The plaque features a hook on the back for hanging.

In Hindu tradition, Om (also Ohm or Aum) is a sacred incantation to be intoned at the beginning and end of a reading of the Vedas, as well as prior to any prayer or mantra.

Holding the thumb and fingers in the gyan mudra posture, the shape of a hand is featured in this relief panel from Thailand. Designed by Somyot Sawasdee, this impressive relief panel is handcrafted of recycled paper. The shape of an eye decorates the palm of the hand, given a painted green finish.

Raised in greeting or a blessing, a friendly hand is featured in this relief panel from Thailand. Designed by Somyot Sawasdee, this awesome relief panel is handcrafted of recycled paper. Swirling patterns decorate the back of the hand, given a painted green finish.

Symbol of natural beauty as well as new beginnings, a blossoming frangipani becomes an inspired wall sculpture. Thailand's Somyot Sawasdee crafts the magnificent sculpture by hand with recycled paper and cement, expertly detailing the petals. He finishes the wall sculpture with green and gold paint, creating the illusion of an aged bronze piece. The sculpture features a hook on the back.

In a pose of perfect symmetry, two lovers express their tender feelings for each other in this hand-carved work of art from the talented Wayan Rendah in Bali. The artisan carves the piece by hand from native suar wood and gives it a black finish.

This delightful sculpture from Bali's Nengah Sudarsana depicts an adorable beagle in the lotus yoga position, a serene expression on its sweet canine face. The artisan carves the statuette by hand from native suar wood.

Eka presents this beautiful sculpture representing the love between two people as their open torsos form a single heart. Carved by hand from Balinese suar wood, the abstracted image celebrates a natural finish that showcases the wood grain.

The warm natural color of suar wood lends itself perfectly to this sculpture of a watchful ginger cat. Nengah Sudarsana of Bali carves the kitty by hand, capturing every detail right down to the whiskers.

Please note: The sculpture is intended to be placed on the edge of a shelf or table so that it hangs over the side.

Indonesia's Eka presents a beautiful yoga pose in this brilliant statuette. The sculpture is made from suar wood and depicts a woman in a sitting in the Utkatasana position, legs crossed with her arms to the sky. This piece is ideal for bringing serenity to your desk or yoga space.

Hands clasped in harmony, two dancers form an unbroken circle of peace. Born of the limitless imagination of Nyoman Karsa, this suar wood sculpture symbolizes earthly peace, harmony and intimacy.

Swaying and dancing to a hypnotic tune, Kokopelli abandons himself to the rhythms of his music. His long hair blows in the breeze as he pipes a plaintive melody on his flute. J. Blas sculpts the legendary deity in elaborate detail. He first cuts metal sheets and hammers them into three-dimensional shape. Welded together, they are adorned with airy cut-out work and finished with lead-free paint.

Kokopelli dates back to pre-historic times; regarded as a deity, he is usually depicted with a humped back, playing a flute. Ancient legends suggest Kokopelli was a Toltec trader who traveled from central Mexico to the United States' southwestern deserts and mountains, where he is featured in the form of rock art dating thousands of years. Kokopelli played his flute to announce his arrival and according to Pueblo legends, he carried seeds, babies and blankets in his hump which he offered to the maidens he seduced.

To the Hopi, Kokopelli plays his flute to draw heat from the Earth and thus make the seeds grow. His name derives from Koko ("wood") and pilau ("hump"). Kokopelli is believed to be present whenever life comes forth from seed – plant or animal.

Seated in a cross-legged position, Buddha meditates, completely at peace. Indonesian artisan Wayan Rendah creates this depiction of Buddha, which he carefully carves by hand from suar wood with a beautiful natural grain. The attention to detail lavished over Buddha's hair and flowing clothes is simply stunning.