Drawing and Painting a Mandala
Once a month – at least for now – I’m going to create something that resonates with what I’m feeling and will subsequently give away.
I’m doing this to spread joy. Yes, the name of the mandala I’m giving a way is “Spreading Joy,” but more on that in a minute.
I found four of these wonderful canvas panels that are 12″ x 12″, or 30.48cm x 30.48cm for all you metric system readers out there 🙂
I immediately thought I would create artwork to give away.
Why?
I love giving things away. I feel like I’m making my own contribution to the world and making it a better place in my own way.
Also, I am practicing much gratitude this month and I’m grateful to everyone who has hit the “subscribe” button.
Why Mandalas?
The word “mandala” means circle. Circles have no beginning and have no end.
If you’re sitting in a circle, there’s no one who is “higher” or “more prominent” than another.
But mandalas go a little further than that. They also represent balance and harmony, even though they might have lots of shapes within their concentric circles.
The process of creating them is also extraordinarily meditative.
This is a shot of the mandala hanging on the wall – for a little perspective
The Process
When I sat down to create this mandala, I wasn’t sure just what I would do.
I went to find my acrylic paints, and had the idea that I’d paint a blue background and perhaps do a black or silver mandala on the blue.
But then the color red called to me.
I went with that. In retrospect, I recognize the symbolism of the color red.
First, I think it called to me because of the time of year that we’re in at the moment.
As of this writing, it’s mid-November and in the US, many holidays are about to occur in the next month or so: Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Yule, and Saturnalia, among others.
Second, the color red has different meanings: enthusiasm, energy, confidence, beauty, and fire, joy and even life. These meanings vary depending on which part of the world in which you find yourself.
Interestingly, if I wasn’t feeling all of these things at the time I chose the color red, then I wanted to feel them.
I chose to work with the white paint markers that would set off the mandala in a festive manner. I also used a silver metallic Sharpie marker to accent the mandala.
After painting the background, I drew in concentric circles with a compass. Later, I lightly freehanded a basic design so that I could make sure my mandala was balanced.
As a side note, how neat would it be to get so good at making mandalas, that I don’t have to use a compass or guiding lines?
Perhaps I’ll try that next time: just go on instinct and see what happens. There’s an element of trust that would have to happen, no?
As I began painting with the marker, I will admit I wasn’t feeling entirely confident, nor was I feeling very enthusiastic.
It was just one of those days, you know? I’m generally a “keep on the sunny side of life” kind of person, but sometimes life events – even mundane ones – leave me feeling like I want to just crawl under a blanket and poke my eyes out only as a matter of being aware of what’s going on around me. Know what I mean?
But, remember, I was also wanting to feel those other things.
As I worked, a whole transformation happened. I began to get into a meditative state. I felt the energy of the mandala infuse my emotions with joy and confidence. By the time I was finished, I was in an elated mood.
Such is the effect of working on mandalas.
At some point, I will try the same with a four directions wheel of some sort.
When I finished, it wasn’t until I watched the video of me drawing the mandala that the title came to me: “Spreading Joy.”
I hope that whomever gains possession of this mandala experiences the joy that I felt in creating it.
Take a look at the video of me drawing the mandala. It was one of the first ones I’ve done where I’ve recorded myself and then used time-lapse software to speed it up. To that end, there are moments where I’m drawing and you can’t see my hands. I’ll get better for next time! 🙂
The Giveaway – How it works
Unlike the last giveaway that happened pretty quickly, this one will last for a month. I’ll do the drawing sometime before Monday, December 18 and announce the winner in that post, as well as a new mandala painting to give away for January.
All subscribers to the blog will be entered this time. This includes WordPress subscribers, as well. I’ve figured out a way to just enter first names of everyone who subscribes (both via email and through WordPress).
If you are a winner, I will contact you shortly after December 18.
I will pick three winners – in case someone’s located outside of the US.
Yes, for this drawing, you need to live in the continental US. Shipping and customs charges are exorbitant and take a long while to get to their destinations overseas.
But here’s a thought: if I ever put a “Patreon” button on the blog in which I receive donations for my work, that could offset shipping charges overseas.
If you’d be amenable to that, let me know in the comments and I’ll consider that for the next art giveaway.
If you know someone who would like to follow along, and/or be entered into the giveaway, please share this post or have them sign up at the bottom of this post.
“Spreading Joy” Stats:
12″x12″ (30.48cm x 30.48cm)
Mixed media (water-based paint marker, metallic Sharpie marker) on canvas
Date created: November 2017
Very nice of you, Lil Sis! I have to do a quick fly-by today. Short work week and much to do for customers with one day of writing missing. Have a fantastic week and Happy Thanksgiving!
Big Bro, thank you. I hope you’ve had a good start to your week. I know what you mean about the short week. I’m doing the same thing, but sort of balancing it with the marketing at school and trying to submit stuff to publications and…yup. I hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving! Sending you hugs from Cackalack. 🙂
I love your mandala Cynthia. It is so bright and cheery! And I love that you create so much art and enjoy giving it away. Yes a patreon or donation button might be a good way to receive back. I’ve considered the same for my blog.
Happy Creating and enjoy the season of giving thanks.
Brad – aww, thank you! That means a lot to me. 🙂 Me? Create art? Pfft…Nuh uh. 😉 Hehe…Yeah, I’ll look into a Patreon button or something like that. I could say the same for you – glad you’ve thought of it. You put out some beautiful and amazing things! Happy writing to you and enjoy the season as well. 🙂
Beautiful mandala. Love the color combination of red and gold. I love giving things away too and am working always to do just that in different ways. I do borrowed art. always working from a pattern or copying ideas. But I love what you have done with this piece.
Sweet Marlene! Thank you. I really like the bold red, too. 🙂 I feel like giving stuff away is part of my little contribution to the world. Little pieces of my heart floating off…and hopefully making others happy. And borrowed art is awesome – this is how ideas build. Thank you for your sweet words. I hope you’ve been well and I wish you a beautiful Thanksgiving! Sending you big hugs!
This is just so full of energy and life, and oh so well named as it most certainly spread joy in my direction. I have done a few mandalas and getting the balance correct is important, So I am way ever so impressed with your free hand, and love those paint markers are new to me, I need to get into Art shops more often.. 🙂 And look what is on offer 🙂
I love the fact you embrace Giving .. Such an important portal to keep open if we are to embrace also the gifts given us in return. And the more we give, the more we receive..
Your colour choice perfect, So energising and seasonal, as well as revitalising on our drab winter days when we see so little Sun. Autumn is a blaze in her reds this year, only now here in the UK have leaves turned, they were late this year, but now after a few frosts, they are falling fast in their reds and golds.
Your idea about donations is a good one, I see it on several sites I visit these days, and While it is fine to keep giving from ones own heart and pocket. Life still has to be lived in our materialistic world.
Now I need to go and visit your video and I wonder why I did not see it pop up in its usual spot when you uploaded..
Sending Huge Hugs and again well done on this creative piece of pure JOY..
Love and Hugs.. Sue xxx <3
Sue – I think I really like making mandalas in this way. It’s fun and doesn’t take long and then you have something beautiful to look at. I did it free hand, yes, BUT, I had drawn guiding lines to help me. Hehe. As for the paint markers, I admit: I am rather addicted. I just love markers, period. I buy them when they’re on sale, so I always have a nice collection and when older ones get “tired” I have newer ones to replace them.
As for giving these paintings away, I do completely agree: in order to receive, we must give. When I was growing up, I know I received so much: from parents, from teachers, from friends. In my own way, I want to really give back. I had thought I wanted to do it through teaching, but I’ll admit that right now I’m enjoying just doing marketing for the school where I am. 🙂
As for the colors I chose, yes, they seemed fitting with the season. 🙂 Were the autumn colors gorgeous where you were this year? I bet it was gorgeous against the backdrop of all the beautiful lanes and buildings where you are.
Thank you for your feedback on the donations. There’s a well-known site, “Brain Pickings” in which the author runs it by donations. I like the idea of folks giving because they want to, not because they were psychologically maneuvered to do so (affiliate links and ads – things like that). And well, the Buddhist monks survive by donations. They don’t just survive, they thrive, “knowing” that they’ll be all right. 🙂 It’s a good philosophy, I think.
Hopefully you got a chance to see the video – I actually had a lot of fun doing the time-lapse stuff. I may have to do that for each one of these drawings/paintings. Hehe.
Sending you love and hugs! And gratefulness for our friendship. <3 xoxo
I did get to see your video I left a like and meant to get back to you to say how much I enjoyed watching you create your mandala. But I then got caught up in all sorts of creative art vids and got lost at least for an hour LOL.. See, what I mean about a sponge, as I was tapping into ideas. And have now decided just by watching your video I want to stock up on more art paints etc.. Its ages since I last did a big buy of new art materials, So that is going to be my treat for Christmas to myself.. :-D..
See the Chain reaction you started LOL..
And it was just beautiful
Sending LOVE and enjoy your weekend.. Hugs Sue xx
Sue – my crazy videos. 🙂 Hehe. Thank you! I know alll about getting lost in those creative art videos. That’s what gave me the idea for the mandala video in the first place. You can get lost in a whole other world. Hehe. And more art paints…oh I just can’t get enough of shiny, pretty art materials. This is why I alternate between writing and art…there’s just so much creative bliss to be had. 🙂 I can’t wait – just can’t wait – to see what beautiful creations you come up with. You’re incredibly talented in the things you create. The world’s better for it! Sending you big hugs! xox
Beautiful post, Cynthia 🙂
Sorry for not visiting you more often, but I have challenges to read long posts still.
Sweet Irene – it’s so good to see you. I’m grateful that you’re here! I hope you’ve healed up just fine! 🙂 And no worries: when you can come by is fine by me. I’m afraid I got out of the rhythm of visiting your blog regularly, too. I must remedy that! 🙂
“Spreading Joy” is the perfect title for a piece of art from you, dear Cynthia. Both you and your work
are exquisite.
I love the idea of you putting a (what I call) a tip jar on your website – especially considering the generosity
you share with your readers.
Love and hugs, Maria
Sweet Maria – Hehe, just spreading the love. 🙂 And thank you for your feedback regarding a “tip jar.” Hehe. I’ve been toying with this idea and I think I’ll implement it soon. 🙂
Thank you always for your love and support. Sending you big hugs and wishes for a wonderful weekend! xo