#151 - Free choiceThis summer I spun out. That is to say, I had too many paintings, projects and fanciful ideas going at once and consequently I couldn't seem to make progress on any of them. So I returned to the circle. I try to have a mandala design going when those phases sneak up on me. If I have a complex circular design drawn out, then coloring it in is mindless, soothing and repetitive work. I can handle that, when facing overwhelm.
I finished this mandala painting last week, though it has been in progress for a very long time. It started as play. I picked up a marvelous little low tech Spirograph-like toy in a dollar store. That produced the center rings. Once enlarged, the rest I built on, using templates cut from thin plastic.
I'm finding much meaning in this mandala even though it started as "just a design." Basically it speaks, to me at least, of the chaotic and distracting stuff between the calm center (my true purpose and potential) and the encroaching darkness outside (what I am able to make manifest; bring to fruition.) I could go on about the directions of spin, the significance of colors and numbers and all manner of symbols popping out, but that's like trying to explain a dream -- most likely the one explaining is the only one enthralled. So, I'll sum this up as I began. This summer I spun out.
13 comments:
Beautiful. I like the process and the way you started it with a spirograph.
This is beautiful. Thanks for sharing the process.
I came back to look at it again. Because its night time now, I see it as something spinning in the night sky. It's reassuring to see your mandala in the same place, as the earth and the planets keep on spinning around each other. Perhaps your "spinning" is a way of keeping in connection and in rhythms with everything that we are a part of.
This is lovely. Beautiful calm colors with that spiraling energy, very nice.
Very nice... I definently feel the chaotic exterior and calm center.
What a great way to respond to stress. It's beautiful.
What medium did you use? This is superb. I can identify with the need to combine creativity with mindlessless at times. And it's surprising how much of the moment such projects absorb, and how much recall they can give us of what we were going through when we made them.
It's acrylic, painted on primed plyboard, about a foot square. The stiff surface and small size makes them easily portable.
That's a great idea to have a special project for down times. Your mandala is beautiful and I know what you mean about dreams. I could tell you about the old white poodle in my dream last night....right! I am glad it has developed meaning for you as you have worked your self into it.
Beautiful mandala!
Wow...this one is so good..!!
Oh my, I used to have a spirograph. I never made anything as lovely and contemplative as this, though.
The mandala and all your drawings and paintings are superb. We are the lucky ones that you have returned to EDM.
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