Year of the Mandala

 This year I have dedicated some of my creative time to creating Mandalas. In fact, I have painted at least one a month. I even got a tattoo of a Mandala I designed with the artist who did it on my arm.

I have always love the Mandala as a symbol since my early twenties.I travelled to South East Asia when I was 21 years old. I travelled to Thailand and Singapore and Indonesia. I became more interested in the religions of the world. It was an adventure of a lifetime. 

"A mandala is a spiritual symbol in Buddhism and Hinduism. It’s a symbolic representation of the universe with an inner and outer world. The word mandala comes from Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language. Literally mandala means “circle.” The circle is seen as a magical form, without beginning and end, just as the universe is believed to have no end"

A mandala is a symbol of the universe in its ideal form, and its creation signifies the transformation of a universe of suffering into one of joy. It can also be used as an aid to meditation, helping one to envision how to achieve the perfect self.
 

 These are a few of my Mandalas I created this year.

This is my New year's Mandala. I painted it on a canvas with acrylic paint. My intentions for the year are in this  Mandala. I wanted to create more art and to have love and connections. To be strong and to branch out in the world.

"Letting go" Mandala

These are some on my watercolour paintings of Mandalas. This one is titled "Aloha Spring".

This is my self love mandala on a round canvas in acrylic.

This mandala I painted around my mom's anniversary of dying on April 18th. I titled it "Love my mom."

This mandala was part of the design I wanted for my tattoo.

This is my Tattoo I got on June 5th. It is my dad's birthday. It combines some of my design and other images I like as well as the Tattoo artist's ideas. It took four hours. I have wanted this tattoo since I was in my early twenties. I am so happy I finally got it this year.

This Mandala is for the children. We will not forget. I painted it and made sure I had 215 dotes to represent each child found in Kamploops at the Indian Residential School on Tk’emlups te Secwépemc First Nation on May 27, 2021. It was such a devastating realization that has changed our world for ever. I only hope that with time and work on reconciliation the families all across Canada can heal. I wish for healing for all touched by the residential school traumas.

 

I was lucky to take an art class all around Mandalas that started in the summer.  Things seem to come to us when we need them don't they. This one is from the summer of 2021. It is the four elements a topic in the art class. This year, the fire season hit the province so terribly.

This Mandala represents Menopause for me. It too has had an impact on my life. I used pastels in this one.

This Mandala is my " I am grounded 'Mandala in water colour.

I have more Mandalas I painted during the summer. Some of them represent my adventures.  

This one is about my trip with my daughter.

This was is called forgiveness. Something I think we are all working on.

This is my friendship full moon Mandala. I painted this with the hope of more connections with others and gratitude of my friends and family. I painted this for the Buck full moon in July.

This mandala is my grief Mandala to honour my loved one I have lost. 

"The six-pointed star is the Creator's Star or Star of Creation. Its six points stand for the six days of creation, and are also represent the six attributes of God: power, wisdom, majesty, love, mercy and justice." I wanted the healing of the green, pink and blue colours to help me grieve and love.

This is a nature Mandala of a dandelion. I saw this idea and wanted to try it.

This is my latest Mandala. It reflects my hopes for balance and harmony of my mind, body and spirit- OM is the symbol I used in the middle. 

I am so grateful for all the lessons I have had this year. I am grateful to the love and kindness of my family and friends. I am grateful to have art and creative outlets to help me heal and to create work that others enjoy. I am grateful to live in a beautiful part of the world surrounded by nature. I am grateful to my ancestors who have loved me and given me so many gifts. I am grateful to my continuing growth as a human in a body. I am getting stronger and healthier. I got this! One day at a time... and with humour and playmates I continue to get up everyday to learn, grow and try my best. Thank you Thank you Thank you... All is well.

Holiday Watercolour Cards

Yes it is true! Christmas is coming in six weeks. Some of us like to mail or give cards. So if you are looking for some art cards, I have created a few.

I wanted to do simple images for Christmas cards.

All Cards are ( 5 x 7")  and cost $6 each. 

 For the month of December, if you buy 6 or more then the cost is $5 each.

You can order and I can send or meet up or send in the run.  If I mail then there is an extra charge for postage. It is usually no more that $3.

I take e transfer at machalela@hotmail.com

If you like my other cards they also would make a great gift as a set of four for a loved one.

I have a post of all my card images in October.

1. Winter Tree- Watercolour Card

 

 2. Christmas Amaryllis Watercolour Card

3. Christmas Ball Watercolour Painting Card

4. White Christmas Watercolour Card

5. Charlie Brown  Christmas Tree Watercolour Card

                                                         6. Acrylic Amaryllis

Wishing you all the best as we prepare for the holidays. Thanks for all of your support.

I will be donating ten percent of proceeds earned to charity for the month of November and December to the Sunshine Coast Community Services supporting pregnant women and new parents, families, children, youth, adults, and seniors through the provision of crisis response, support programs, housing, and advocacy.This also includes the food bank. Christmas is a time when it is important to give back to others and make sure no one is hungry and without basics needs.