Click to see my Mandala (Fountain Pen/Ink Art)

I've been getting a lot of questions lately about my mandalas. People asking what they signify, and if they are used for meditation purposes.

I once saw a hand-drawn mandala on Flickr, and it was described as a "Meditation Mandala." It was created in one sitting as a form of meditation. Since I generally have a hard time turing my mind off, I was quite intrigued with the concept, and started drawing mandalas from that point forward. Using markers, watercolor paints, fountain pens and ink, pens, pencils, pretty much anything I can get my hands on.

I usually create them in about an hour - such as this one. It's about 5x7 in size, and was done on Fabriano Hot Press Watercolor paper. I started to draw it with a Lamy Safari fountain pen filled with Private Reserve Burgundy Mist ink. I then grabbed a Niji Waterbrush, and painted the border a reddish brown. I accidentally got some of the ink lines wet, and I realized that I could use this to my advantage. All of the pink(ish) color you see was created by running the wet brush against the ink lines. I did a bit of outlining with a Pitt Artist pen, then went outside for a smoke.

As I was sitting there with the painting in my hand, a cool summer's night breeze blowing across the porch - it made me remember that the only thing in life I am absolutely sure of is the earth and it's elements.

"I may not know much and there might be many things I'm uncertain of, but the one thing I know for sure is that the elements exist. Fire, Air, Water and Earth. Nothing exists without them. I exist because of these things and to dent them is to deny your own existence. The sound of the wind, the warmth of a fire, cool ocean water lapping at your feet- these things I am certain exist. Not only in my mind but they are a part of me. I may never understand anything in my lifetime but this. And this is my reality." SMS 06/30/08

Very nice , Stephanie.

Thank you Sid!

Very cool. Inspired. I need to order new inks ...

Very lovely!

(Now I am trying to remember the C. G. Jung quote about drawing mandalas being a sign of theraputic breakthough.)

-Kushana

Wow. That's beautiful, words and art both!

It's beautiful Stephanie

I doodle similar patterns endlessly, always have......its part of my process, my communion with the world.... and also grabbing anything that comes to hand art and craft wise, I even went through a stage of stiching them with textiles (well and with paper), its very rewarding and completely fascinating.

Thanks for sharing it here.

Thanks for the art and insight!

Stephanie, I can get into that - that is really neat. I think the creation itself of the mandala is one of the most important things and can bring peace of mind. Then it's for the rest of us to enjoy

Erick

You impressed this cynical curmudgeon!

Just wanted to add a "Thank you" for all your kind words.