For me, creating mandalas is more than just coloring pretty patterns in a circle. I do it because my spiritual evolution and my creativity require it of me. With each new pattern that catches my eye, I want to play with it, turn it around, twist it, turn it upside down, try it this way and that…and THEN go about coloring it…sometimes more than once. I do this all within an active meditative state, connected with my higher self, my spiritual guides and nature spirits.
Together, we bring into form mandala art that allows me to re-connect with my own inner peace and joy, letting me explore and expand my own creative spirit to however far and in whatever direction it wants to go.
As part of my own spiritual journey, I encourage, and hopefully inspire, others to explore their own creativity, to help them re-connect with their own inner peace and joy. As a means to that end, I make all of my mandalas available for others to color. Why should I have all the fun?
The Process
I first hand-sketch each mandala using paper and pencil. For the Symmetry and Hyperbolic Tessellation mandalas, I created a guide to put under my paper which allows me to free-hand draw while maintaining symmetry, giving it a more organic look and feel. I scan the drawing into my computer and then trace/draw it into a vector drawing app. When I’m ready to color or paint it, I print it onto artist quality paper.
From there it becomes an exploration into colors and texture. I rarely know in advance the look of the finished mandala. Trusting my guides and intuition as I paint, it grows and evolves into a three-dimensional piece, rich with color (or just black and white); often with the surprise of a whole new pattern emerging.
The Media
I use a variety of media to paint the mandalas, including acrylics, color pencil, markers, collage, and watercolors. I let each mandala guide me as to what media to use.