Mandala

I made these using gel pens on black paper, two of my first attempts.  I particularly like the white pens on black paper.

 

Definition

 

Mandala

ˈmandələ,ˈmʌn -noun

 

1. a circular figure representing the universe in Hindu and Buddhist symbolism.

 

Last November I attended a weekend of Mandala making.  Having hardly ever embarked upon anything arty for many years it was with some trepidation that I arrived at Kadoorie Farm and met the most creative and confidence giving Katie Flowers and Claire Kirk.  

http://wildatartstudio.blogspot.hk/   For information about other workshops have a look at the Wild At Art website or Facebook.

Over the past two years I have become a yogi.  I go to yoga A LOT.  I am stronger and more flexible and am hooked on the routine and discipline it offers.  Yoga isn't just about the physical workout as there is a prominent spiritual aspect to where meditation is part of the session.  I have tried meditation.  I understand that during guided meditation my mind and body can 'stop' and there is talk of enlightenment.  I have laid on a mat in the dark with my eyes closed.  I have Ommed.  I have hummed.  I have stared at a candle flame and I have dozed off.  But I have never really understood what is supposed to happen...not so far anyway.

Now I find that drawing mandalas is perfect for switching off my mind and fully concentrating on the eight point repeated pattern that it follows.  I have produced piles and piles of different sizes and designs and colours and am in constant look out for more pens, paints and paper so that I can start new ones.   This is meditation.  

 

                                                                                Plethora of colour and repeated pattern.   

 You tube is full of tutorial videos 'How to..."  do anything and everything you could possibly imagine, and many you had never imagined no doubt.  I find this all a bit overwhelming.  My introduction to this technique by Katie and Claire was exactly what I needed, clear and simple.  Now I am on a mission to find repeated pattern and use many and various sources for my own work.  I use Pintrest and have a collection of Mandala ideas there.  I constantly have my camera ready and now take photos of pattern that takes my eye where ever I happen to be and that could be Tory Burch, H n M or the pavement or someone's make-up bag.  I see pattern everywhere and am adapting it into my own work.  Sometimes I go wild and do something that isn't a circle, I know!

 

 

Comments

[Lesley]

How interesting. Write to me on

[email protected] and we can discuss this further.

[Allison Kolb]

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