» Artist Statement: Mandalas & "Happenings" «

Symmetry/Asymmetry Mandalas

Through observation and meditation, I create my own mandala designs and then I paint them.

Symmetry Mandalas

Medium: Color pencils, Watercolor Pencils, Markers, Watercolors

Sizes: Most are sized at 12" in diameter; others range from 4" to 30" in diameter

Inspiration: Dreams, architecture, nature, individuals, cultures (Egyptian, Native American, Middle Eastern, Celtic, etc)

Design Technique: I created templates using golden ratio proportions of concentric circles. In each template the circles are divided into different number of sections (5, 9, 12, etc). The template is placed under a blank sheet of paper. I can see the template through the paper and use it to guide me which allows me to free hand draw a new mandala design. In general, I draw an idea in one section and then repeat it in the remaining sections. When done, usually a whole new pattern emerges.

Color Technique: In many cases I'll look at my palette of colors and whichever color jumps out at me the most, that's usually the next color I use. I love making things look 3-dimensional, so I tend to over-emphasize the light/shadow effects. Of late, I like using a minimal palette of two sets of primary colors (one warm, one cool) and purple (for shadows).

Meditation: Prior to using meditation as part of my process, the designs and colorings came out lacking any form of depth or feeling. In early 2000, I was introduced to a meditation process that I could use while creating the mandalas. With the very first one and everyone since, they have taken on a whole new level of vibration and depth. By mid 2001, I became aware that each mandala had its own message. Through meditation, one by one the messages came through. All are uplifting and/or motivational in some way.

History: I began creating my own symmetry mandalas in early 1999 after a trip to Egypt. Through much of that area of the world, due to Islamic influences, patterns and symmetry were everywhere (hotel lobby floors, sides of buildings, church/mosque and museum walls, and ancient ruins to name a view). My analytical mind loved the geometry of the art and hieroglyphics of the region. When I returned, I began seeing patterns and symmetry in everything around me and proceeded to translate the ideas that intrigued me into another mandala.

Asymmetry Mandalas

Medium: color pencils

Sizes: Most are sized at 4" in diameter; others range from 6" to 12" in diameter

Inspiration: 'In the Moment' doodles, dreams, nature, cultures

Design Technique: With pencil in hand I quickly draw my idea within a circle with very little, if any, thought of placement, pattern or symmetry. The less thinking the better!

Color Technique: In many cases I'll look at my palette of colors and whichever color jumps out at me the most, that's usually the next color I use. I love making things look 3-dimensional, so I tend to over-emphasize the light/shadow effects. In general I like using a minimal palette of two sets of primary colors (one warm, one cool) and purple (shadows). I do have my moments of wanting to play with all or most of my color pencils; it allows me to explore with combinations of a variety colors especially ones I would normally stay away from using.

Meditation: I use the same meditation process for these mandalas as I use for my Symmetry Mandalas.

History: I began creating my own asymmetry mandalas on a whim in September 2007. I had a stack of matte cut outs from my framed/matted mandalas. I pulled one out, grabbed a pencil, and without lifting it, doodled (for lack of a better word) a free-from mandala design on the back of the matte cut out. I colored at random, free of any preconceived notions as to how I wanted it to look when I was done. I was exploring a whole new world for me. When I completed my first one, I was so hooked with this new idea of asymmetry that I completed one a day for the next 13 days.

"Happenings"

Using water, watercolor paper, found objects, and squirts of ink, I place them all in a pan, put it in the sun, and then wait to see what happens when it all dries. Then through observation and mediation I enhance and enliven what's happened using color pencils, markers, and/or watercolor pencils.

Medium: Ink, Color pencils, Watercolor Pencils

Objects: flowers, leaves, beach sand, dry black beans (just to name a few)

Sizes: Most are under 8" x 10" in size

Inspiration: The concept of "what would happen if I used this?"

Technique

Version #1: On a nice warm sunny day, put some water in a baking pan, then a piece of paper, then the objects, and then squirts of different colored inks. When it dries, remove the objects to see what surprises await. Sometimes I leave it as is, other times, I color on it with markers and/or color pencils to enhance the shapes that are already there or create new ones.

Version #2: Tack or tape down damp watercolor paper on a firm waterproof surface. Pour ink(s) onto paper. Spray the ink/paper with water bottle to splatter and spread out the ink on the paper. When it dries, I usually enhance it with markers and/or color pencils to take advantage of the shapes/colors that "happened".

Meditation: I use the same meditation process that I use for my Symmetry/Asymmetry Mandalas.

History: During the summer of 2006, I was blessed to befriend a wonderful collage artist who had been exploring this "happenings" technique and was willing to share it with me. She invited me to her house and like two little kids we played in her backyard garden. While the pieces were drying we'd either eat lunch or chat the afternoon away. Since then I began playing with objects other then vegetation to see what would happen with them. Oh, the possibilities!

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