Skip to main content

August #creativedeed365: Mandala Rounds

As I used the last of the #naturalpaperdye made for the 6 Degree of Creativity 2015 workshops I'm very much aware of their richness. Working primarily with Pigma Micron pens I felt every fiber and bump, every depression made by the organic objects during the dying process. Every card was truly and utterly unique.

The focus for the August series of #creativedeed365 was a return to my passion for mandalas. I've been creating these small pieces of art for the better part of the year already, as I finish my degree I can't help but feel a pressing "unknown" waiting to flood-in given the chance. So this month with the change in format I dedicated to cultivating creating mandalas.

Even if you have never heard the term "mandala" before, you can surmise that they have something to do with circles. The word mandala, in effect means circle, usually one used in a contemplative practice. Traditionally Tibetan mandalas have a symmetrical design, but not all.
My mandalas developed spontaneously throughout the month, they were not copied nor planned-out. Most began with at least 1 traced or freehand circle, pieces developed in 5min increments. Some taking 10 minutes others close to 45 minutes, all pieces were 3x3 inches.

It's hard to believe but its been 8 months now of these small visual entries which several people have asked where I sell them and for how much, well -- I am not selling any, I am giving them all away and hiding them in plain sight in public spaces.




Such has been the fate of all the 243 pieces created in the name of #creativedeed365 thus far (yes only 122 more to go!). You can check those out through the previous posts (January, February, March, April, May, June, July) or by following me on Instagram.


 






September will bring another format change... looking forwards to what that will mean for card 244 to 273!!!


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Layered {Response} Art

Inchies in process of being stained. I recently read artist Seth Apter ’s post on a question we artists are often asked: How long did it take you? The following blog post will be my response to his thought provoking post which I found rang a few bells for me. Seth’s post for October 20th, 2014 can be reached via this link: The Surface of my Work So, how long does it take to create? ...the art therapist’s perspective. I will give voice to some accumulated thoughts on the particular topic of response art. I feel it is important to make the distinction between response art and other artwork I may engage-in for the purpose of “creating something pretty”. Response art to me indicates a creative process (and/or artifact) that seeks to process an experience; usually to do with intense experiences encountered as a part of carrying out the duties of our profession [for more on response art in art therapy see Fish, 2006, 2008, 2012]. Beginning. When the creative bug cal...

Arting-Out Stress on Paper: The evolution of a piece.

Every once in a while I tell myself to just go "art-about-it". Since I can remember I have loved going elbows deep into art supplies. Becoming an art therapist made my love of art closer to an addiction (the art supplies are everywhere!). Recently I was prompted by a student to create what "stress" looks like to me.  The resulting image was a bit jarring to me, it didn't sit well. It made me feel 'unfinished'. Created with watercolor and TomBow markers and water. When there is a mismatch between the image and my emotions the best thing for me to do is get back in there and work it out. With this particular image I decided to document the process in case I ruined it. As these things go, some emotions tend to be messier than others and "stress" is one of those that has a consuming energy about it. Splashed watercolors on it and added salt, then streaked some colors out. Moving-on. As an image is 'worked-on' some of the origi...

Capturing a Moment: Gelatin Printing

Lets just get right down to it, you've either tried it and loved it or you're currently wondering what I'm talking about. Gelatin prints that's what. A few years ago a student introduced me to the wonders of using homemade gelatin as a printing plate (sugar free kind). As it turns out it is a very versatile work surface that brings an element of intrigue and play into the work space. When my clients first hear I'll be bringing in gelatin, they seek out napkins and forks and eagerly away the obviously tasty snack. The sound of dreams shattering as I pull-out the gelatin plates is audible (if only short lived). Soon everyone is poking and wiggling the gelatin and wondering what we'll be doing with it. Play is an important aspect of what I do. So is creativity and genuine interest. These things are however harder to come-by in adults than their younger counterparts (who jump-into explorer mode instinctively).  Sometimes I have to coerce these attr...