Friday, June 19, 2015

Do you mandala?

My friend Deb of Paper Turtle has been drawing mandalas; lots and lots of mandalas. Her love of mandalas and the joy they bring her shines through on her blog, and she created this tutorial to bring that joy to others. On a recent business trip, I took along a sketch pad and decided to make a few mandalas.
 
These were the first two I made. They were pretty clean and basic. The only art supplies I brought along were a small container of water color crayons, a few pens (black and white) and a water brush. The top one I drew free-hand, but for the others, I used a plastic cup to help draw circles. And then something happened. . . . 
My mandalas turned in to art journal pages, with lots of writing. .  . . 
And my own mandala style started to emerge. My favorite one of these five is the one up top because of the blended colors and the journaling. I really enjoy making mandalas. It's very calming and it's a perfect thing to do while on the plane or sitting in an airport. I only wish that my sketch pad was square and that I had a selection of circle templates. But I will definitely continue to make mandalas, especially when I'm on the road.
And I'm not the only one making mandalas. Over at Deb's World, Deb (English Deb, not Arizona Deb) made some pink/pink/orange mandalas and this blue/blue/green mandala.  She's making mandalas for Summer of Color. And clearly enjoying herself. What about the rest of you? Do you mandala?
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14 comments:

  1. Deb @ PaperTurtleJune 19, 2015 at 9:01 AM

    Yes! You get it! You get mandalas! :o) I have loved seeing your mandalas take shape, Rinda, and to see your style emerge in each one you have drawn. I am so humbled and honored to have inspired you (and our other Deb), and so happy that you are realizing the calming affects of creating mandalas. Thanks so much for sharing the link to my tutorial. :o) Happy mandala-ing! xo

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  2. SianJune 19, 2015 at 9:05 AM

    I don't. But if I could get past my mental mathematical block I'd like to give it a try..

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  3. scrappyjackyJune 19, 2015 at 9:37 AM

    I don't either....but I really love that last one...it sort of seems very you.

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  4. BeckyJune 19, 2015 at 10:53 AM

    Beautiful mandalas. I don't but am thinking I might when we travel to France in July this year - will have to look for a new sketch book though - oh what a shame lol!

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  5. alexaJune 19, 2015 at 12:22 PM

    Isn't it funny how we start out trying an activity and it metamorphoses into something which is just us. Somehow, journalling just seems right on these lovely patterns.

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  6. KarenJune 19, 2015 at 5:48 PM

    I haven't yet, but I can envision giving it a try. The first one is my favorite, too.

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  7. debs14June 19, 2015 at 11:31 PM

    They are so calming to make aren't they? I am loving learning more about them, and I love how you are finding your own style of incorporating journaling into them.

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  8. helenaJune 20, 2015 at 5:07 AM

    not yet - but seeing how much you all enjoy them I will be trying them out. I love how your style has emerged in them

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  9. AlisonJune 20, 2015 at 7:00 AM

    I don't, but was going to go follow your link to Deb's tutorial- then I saw Sian's comment and am worried that if mental arithmetic is involved it's DEFINITELY not for me!! Xx

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  10. BarbaraJune 20, 2015 at 1:14 PM

    They are beautiful - something I mean to do one day!

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  11. MelissaJune 20, 2015 at 7:19 PM

    Oh, that one at the top is my favorite, too . . . and it has my word on it!! :) This sounds like the perfect way to spend airplane & waiting time! I really like that you've turned them into journaling pages.

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  12. Missus WookieJune 23, 2015 at 9:06 AM

    Lovely - and I enjoyed seeing how things evolved and changed.

    I used to - haven't in years but have been seeing bits of mandalas and trying to remember why I stopped.

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  13. AnonymousJune 28, 2015 at 1:41 PM

    They all look great Rinda - so neat that you've found your own style in them. Thanks for including Deb's tutorial again. I've been meaning to go back and check it out.

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  14. A Bit of the BlarneyJune 29, 2015 at 4:19 AM

    Is it too late to start the scavenger hunt? This looks like fun! Have a grand day!

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