I'm In!!

I know I've shown this before but, it was just accepted in the Dupage County Forest Preserve's Centennial celebration art exhibit and I am so pleased!  I haven't been in much of a mandala making mood recently.   At least not larger ones like this.  I have done a few small ones. But this is one of my all-time favorites and, as I've looked at it quite a few times today, I'm starting to feel the urge to get back to work on some larger ones.  All of my mandalas are generally made with thoughts of life and growth and nature.  This one is absolutely filled with nature symbolism.  From the center, where there is water, without which life can't exist, we move to the dark blue band with stars suggesting the night sky and the universe.  Then the small plants that sprout on the forest floor and on to the petals of flowers and symbolic rays of sunshine.  The white swirls suggest the winds and clouds and, finally, the wild flowers and unfurling leaves that I love so much!  They always make me think of the way that life unfurls and we continue to grow (hopefully!). So, now you know!  It's not just a pretty mandala!  At least, not to me!