This is
my latest mandala creation, using both compass and free form, expanding into
something colorful for the Spring Equinox… I did not make a final circle around
this one, but simply left it unconfined, leaving little openings for emergence
and expansion – like Spring! I will
admit I am more of a monochromatic type person – liking to use different shades
and gradients of the same color. But
hey, one needs to expand their horizons right! :) I am experimenting with color and light, and some new techniques -
feeling a bit stuck in the design process; probably due to a lack of imagination. :) I feel like I have reached a "dead end" of sorts already, although I’m just
beginning, not knowing where to go next, needing a cartographer/teacher to help fill in the
gaps of my unknowing. So I am attempting to learn from
the many masters of mandalas by osmosis. :)
Speaking
of which, there is a wonderful website page of *beautifully* designed luminous
mandalas by Prema. Her work is a
wonderful inspiration. Another luminous
mandala master is Judith Cornell – now deceased – relating mandalas to our
spiritual path of awakening. Her book,
Mandala, arrived Monday – loaded with luminous mandalas. I need to spend some time reading, and
experimenting!
Through this creative experience so far I am reminded that life, art, and the “spiritual path” are an ever unfolding awareness and expression
of our Infinite Being within, only needing our willingness to be open - without
preconception of where it “should” lead, or what it “should” look like. That’s a hard one! I have all kinds of ideas and images of what
life and “the path” – and my art is *supposed*
to look like, and of course it doesn’t always turn out the way I had in mind. :) It’s more like the cycles of nature, we continuously rebirth a new consciousness,
a new way of being, seeing, and creating - awakening to the Life *in*
everything; allowing that bud of Light within to blossom and express its
Aliveness…
”Now is the time
for you to compute the impossibility
that there is anything but Grace.
Now is the season to know
that everything…
is sacred.”
Hafiz
~
Other luminous masters of
mandalas :)
Stacy Wills – A Magic Mom and Her Mandalas
Your new mandalas project is VERY inspiring, Christine! I've been wanting to try mandalas in fiber some how...it's on my to create-list. ;o) It says spring on the calendar, but winter still has her frosty hand on us her--snow and bitter wind still. But there is a hopeful feeling that goes with a seasonal change all the same--even if only mentally. :o) Happy Spring Days ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteThanks Tracy :) Mandalas on fiber sounds interesting too! Yeah, I know, Spring has not exactly sprung here in its traditional way either. We've had some warm temperatures in the 70's! - unusual for March here, but they say we will be getting our first Spring snow this weekend, with temps in the 30's again... So we still have a bit to go before buds bloom :) Hope you are out of the deep freeze soon! Be well :)
DeleteReally lovely choice of colours, bursting with vibrancy and energy...just like spring. Although these are not normally colours I would associate with spring (pastels, yellow chicks, soft white bunnies and lambs) they really convey the heat and spirit of new growth. I have the Judith Cornell mandala book, which I found very inspiring, though I didn't get past making white images on black paper. Have you considered the idea of making non-symmetrical forms within the defining area of a circle?
ReplyDeleteYeah, I know these are not the "typical" colors, which I was trying to stay away from, as I'm not really a "pastel" kind of person :) Am looking forward to reading Judith's book and trying her technique of using white on black to *highlight* the image. Yes, I have considered using a more free form, but for now I seem to be drawn to these geometrical ones. It resonates with something deeply within, so am going with that for now. But, you never know, my next one may be completely free form! :) Did you check out Prema's mandalas? (link above) - That's really what I want to be doing. Thanks!
DeleteThanks for the reference links; I've saved them for my own future explorations with mandalas! Love seeing your creative works here.
ReplyDeleteThank you Chris for your kind words :) It's all a work in progress, like life :) Practice, practice, practice :)
Deletei guess i do associate green and lavender with spring. Leaves and all, lilacs and purple crocuses. red tulips.
ReplyDeleteanyway, this one has some lovely shapes to it. you are talented with mandalas I think. i dont have the patience to be bound by the mandala forms. So inspiring to know you are being creative like this.
ps thank you sooo much for ordering my book. you are so kind.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is "Springish" looking I think :) For whatever reason the "form" is what I need at the moment. It speaks to me somehow in the doing of it. So am trusting that pull...
DeleteI am honored to order your book! Can hardly wait to read it! I celebrate your own creative expression through words...
Lovely, Christine! Has a very 3-D look to it. Thanks for the link to Prema's website. There are so many ways to "grow a mandala."
ReplyDeleteThank you Stacy! I appreciate your comment here! I am going to be reading Judith's book, Mandala, this weekend - since we are having a lovely Spring snow storm :) and will give her technique a try on black paper. We shall see what happens :) Yes, so many ways to grow a mandala! :) Maybe I need to put down the compass and just play! Something I find hard to do :)
DeleteDear Christine...you may enjoy this video on 'growing' your own mandala with Prema Akasha: http://www.premaspace.com/mandalas/
ReplyDeletexoxo -L.
Thanks Leslie :) I've actually been in touch with Prema :) Aren't her mandalas amazing!!!!
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