Mandala Complete - Process Photos

I recently completed the mandala I started at the Spring New Beginnings Mandala day that I recently facilitated at my studio.

I am such a sucker for show and tell, perhaps because, I loved it as a little girl, showing off my art to others. However, my training as an art therapists, enamored me with the stages of my process in creating as well, so here follows a series of photos of the stages of my mandala.

 As it takes form new directions are  showing as possible directions I can take the drawing. I love how the scale of light drawing, seems to sculpt dimension and form, through the contrast of the white on black.

 Although I could have taken more photos in the earlier stage, here is my mandala with just the beginnings of color coming in.  The central image of this mandala really stands out in this photo. The holding/ honoring of the iris in the center, which to me is about opening and holding a space within for the new the emerge and flower in my life.

And here is the completed mandala.  Often time in this drawing process, the image changes again and again.  I have a tendency to be a bit heavy handed with my pencil and it affects my ability to lay in more color, so I have lost some of the gradations in the center.  But I still love how the holding energy stands out admist the opening mandala.  Holding Possibility, Dwelling in the Possibility of New beginings, new opportunities, beginning again and again.

After spending quite a few days working on a mandala, I am almost bereft that it is complete, but I also am trying to stop sooner rather than later, to avoid over working and allowing the mystery of the black, the unknown powerful mystery of the procreative darkness, to be part of the image. Without the dark, the light is not as bright.
Now on to the next mandala, or???? Ciao.

Dwelling in possibilities, a Day of Mandala Making

Yesterday I did a small spring mandala group in my home studio.  The  four of us spent the entire  day lost in the Illuminated Mandala drawing process.  With one person new to the process, the day flowed magically, as we each shared, explored and dove into the beauty of creating mandalas.  

 I love sharing what emerges in these drawing days. So here are the mandalas that came through for us.

 Creating a color wheel mandala is a wonderful way to be free of creating image and yet still explore color and the process in depth.  This color wheel mandala in its initial white on black stage, was created by Claudia, whois an art teacher, this was her first illuminated mandala.  She took to the process effortlessly and was caught up and lost in drawing for hours on end.

 This is Liz's Spring mandala, so eloquent in the black and white drawing

 Holding iris mandala, is one that I began yesterday, inspired by a vase filled with Iris's and daffodils on the table in front of me.

Still in  process  this mandala, created by Scarlett Sky was a poignant one, emerging out of the depths, honoring two of her precious dog companions who had recently passed on.

 Finished or rather almost complete mandala,  the color evokes  the mystery of transcendence and new life, subtle and stunning, I could lose myself in viewing this one. Definitely a Spring Mandala.

 Claudia's color wheel evolving.  What fun she had doing this, I can't wait to see the completed mandala.

                                Scarlett's Spirit  Shield coming more into focus.

And finally my mandala, with the color just being laid into the paper.  Who knows where it will go.  Interestingly, looking at it here, allows me to see it in a new light, and open to what might be next.  My intention for this mandala, was to create an image that supported me in being able to dwell in possibility instead of concern, or worry or, ......  
Each of us, moved into our own story, journey and process with these drawings, and as always, the process was grounding, healing and enlivening all at the same time.

" Dwell in Possibilities"  Emily Dickenson

until I get around to posting  here again.. Ciao.