About a month ago I was introduced to the concept of mandalas. They are really just glorified colouring-in exercises, but like many creative activities they can be wonderfully absorbing and therefore meditative. They can be done lightheartedly for pure pleasure, or can be looked at more symbolically for deeper meanings and symbolism. I like both ways.
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| Mandala in progress |
This is the mandala that I designed and coloured in the day I was introduced to them. This one includes symbols for change, infinity, hope and clarity of information. It was also done at a time when many people I knew were dying. We all have to go at some time, and the people close to me had had wonderful lives and slipped away quickly.
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| Same one with a bit more added |
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Another one I adapted with an autumnal feel
(sorry about the appalling quality!) |
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Flowers for inspiration
(image by Melinda) |
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Colour inspiration used in my first mandala
Image by Melinda |
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More mandala ideas
(I feel a new book coming on) |
What a lovely idea. I think I could do that. Do you use a compass or anything for drawing them? What do you use to colour them in? (I can see them taking over from sudaku when I want some time out!)
ReplyDeleteThanks Belinda, I used a combination of a compass and some stencil shapes for the first one and the little ones, and adapted one I found on the internet for the 'autumnal' one. There are lots of free downloadable ones on the internet, but not many of them appeal to me. I colour them in with all sorts, mainly coloured pencils, watercolour paint and felt pens. A friend of mine did a stunning one with metallic acrylic paints.
ReplyDeleteI love mandalas, I had a lovely one from Els as a pincushion swap a few weeks ago. And certainly, they meditative to do. They make great applique patterns too.....
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