Wednesday, 31 December 2014

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year            31/12/14


Hello readers!

Hope you've had a great time during Christmas with friends and family. I have certainly been busy during the holidays. My children are at home and i've had a few fun get-togethers. In fact, ive a pot luck party tonight at my place, and i look foward to board games with spirited friends. Board games and good food!


Anyways, i have not been very regular with my pictures, but, i have filled up my sketchbook quite a bit8 I hope to share, my doodles in a pageflick video shortly.

I've also been reading this book on Mandalas by Anneke Huyser, and shall post a review soon. Today im sharing a happy new year Mandala! And i wish you all, my dear readers, a fantastic new year!

Tuesday, 23 December 2014

Expressing Wholeness

Expressing Wholeness          23/12/14


"In the products of the unconscius we discover Mandala symbols, that is, circular and quaternary figures which express wholeness and whenever we wish to express wholeness, we employ just those figures."   
-Carl Jung






Monday, 22 December 2014

Geometry and Nature

Geometry and Nature    22/12/14


Sunflower seeds, broccoli, snowflakes, conch shells, pinecones, etc, bring such vivid images fractal geometry in nature alive in our thoughts.


I love my rose succulent echeveria which sits on my windowsill and brings a smile every time I look at it. I started at the centre using the image of the echeveria .









And gradually, I added shapes and patterns around it. It was not a very planned effort and was almost natural. I followed my natural flow of thought. There are many possibilities to be explored. I hope to experiment with paint for a different style of Mandala next time.

I look forward to hearing from you about any of your favourite style of Mandalas.








Sunday, 21 December 2014

Pebble Mandalas

Pebble Mandala                  21/12/14


Good morning everyone! I've painted some pebbles this morning and following their natural contour, a circular mandala doodle was a natural outcome. I've used acrylic paint and black marker. I had always wanted to paint pebbles since i saw some beautiful examples online.

I am sure like me you would have doodled on a newspaper or a envelope cover, and surprised yourselves with pleasing results.When our creative right side of the brain takes over, while the analytical rational left side of the brain is not engaged is when our inner self exposes itself. In the modern stimulating environment, when our mind jumps from one stimulus to another, it's very grounding to touch base with ourselves. In what starts as a abstract expression, but with regular practise leads to a natural order of self and restores harmony.

Carl Jung extensively explored Mandalas, and made one everyday. I have my own Mandala sketchbook and am enjoying doing it. Try making your own Mandalas and please share your
Mandalas and your experiences with it.  


Saturday, 20 December 2014

Introduction to Mandalas


Mandala 1

Mandalas            20/12/14


My interests in art and healing has lead me to explore traditional arts and crafts from Mandalas to Sashiko embroidery , Crochet, Watercolours , and so on, I plan to make a blog post every day and attempt to maintain my discipline for these crafts, and enjoy my journey, which i would like to share with you all. 
`

Mandalas, meaning the "Sacred Circle" in Sanskrit have been practised in various cultures, and is a very helpful tool for meditation and healing.


Take a moment to relax doing your own Mandala "doodle". Mandalas can be done in a very precise manner using a compass, and it can also be done freehand. You can draw a circle as a starting point, and using patterns and shapes, like a semicircle, squares, shapes inspired by nature like petals, leaves, and geometric shapes like diamonds and spirals. Build up on layers in a circular manner. It doesn't have to be a very calculated effort, just be guided by your inner feel during the moment. There is no right or wrong way to do it. The shapes that come out help release your personal expression, and at end of the practise one reaches a calmer state then before the start of the Mandala.