What I've been up to.....

My 6 week Mandala class recently ended and I feel like the students really enjoyed it.  But I'm not sure it's  suited to be an ongoing class.  It seems to me that, once they learn the basics, they just need to get out there and experiment and play and find their own style. 

The 3rd photo is a work in progress.  A large one I'm working on that, when finished, if I am happy with it, I plan to hang over my bed.  I have all these mandalas sitting around and hardly anything hanging on my walls!  Mostly because my "favorites" keep changing and I hate to commit.  I think the answer is going to be to get some of those "picture rails" or whatever you call them, that you can just rest art on on and not have to hang anything permanently.  I can change them out according to what appeals to me at the moment or according to the season!  Perfect for a commitment-phobe like myself!

The last one, with the Easter eggs was almost, but not quite finished when I photographed it.  Hence the guidelines are still on it.

I have so many ideas in my head for more......I wonder when.....or if.......I will ever tire of making these!  In the past I've had a habit of buying art supplies and then not using them.  Several years ago my husband bought me a set of 120 Prismacolor colored pencils.  I amazes me that some of them (my favorite colors of course!) are getting worn down to stubs!  It's a GREAT feeling.....knowing that I am putting them to good use!

Went A Bit Crazy....

I seem to be doing a lot of artwork lately that involves "have-to's" and self imposed deadlines......class samples and things like that.   So I was really feeling the need to sit down and do something just for fun.....no plan....no purpose......just do it and don't think about it too much.  This mandalas is the result.  I feel like I went a bit crazy!  I wasn't sure that it really worked at all.  In fact, I look at it and I sort of think to myself, "Who DID that?".  Because, honestly, sometimes I just don't know where they come from.  How they turn out is a BIG surprise to me.   I usually feel "in love" with the last one I did.......not so in this case.  But I DO seem to be falling in love with it a little more everyday!

A Mandala in Stages

I had taken these photos to help me go thru the making a mandala step by step for my class.  Thought I would post them here for anyone who is interested.  Sorry they ended up in reverse order!

Finding the Flow

I took about 4 or 5 weeks off from making any art.  Not really on purpose......just got busy with the holidays and I was enjoying my son's company while he was home from school.  BEFORE the holidays I seemed to have really gotten into a feeling of "flow" in regards to art making.  It almost seemed as if I could do no wrong while creating.  It was incredible to feel that way!!  Taking all that time off...........BIG mistake!  I have discovered how hard it is to get back into it after taking so much time off!!  I made several mandalas recently......none of them seemed to flow......they were like work, forced, awkward feeling.  It was very upsetting and frustrating!  Then I decided to try something a little bit different and make a larger mandala than I ever have before.  I had received an email from The Center where I take classes and where I am also doing a little teaching.  They are having a fundraiser later this month and were requesting artwork to be donated for a silent auction.  I thought that a nice BIG framed mandala would be a good thing to donate so I got to work.  I worked on the this for 7+ hours straight yesterday!!  I have never done that before!  I even forgot to eat!  And I believe I found my FLOW!!  I was afraid that it got a bit busy.......not being used to working this large I wish I had used more larger elements rather than so much small detailed stuff but......all in all, I am quite pleased!!  And ready to try another!!

The Centers fundraiser is called "A Night to Linger".  It is Thursday, February 21, 2013 at Hackney's in Palos Park, IL.  The are at 9550 W. 123rd St.  and it takes place from 7-10 pm.  Maybe I will see you there!  By the way, this fundraiser benefits the Farm and Ranch Camp scholarship fund.  It enables many kids to attend camp next summer that wouldn't otherwise be able to have this wonderful experience!

Featuring Magazine!

Latest backcover

The inchies on the backcover of Issue 3. click to enlarge

- Adrienne Knight – Carla  Persoon – Cindy Peterson – Hwee Ching – Isabella Bojda – Tanya Batrak – Lena Schreijenberg -  Lisa Morice – Madeleine de Kemp – Margaret Gammell – Nigel Roberts – Nigel Roberts – Tracey Fletcher King – Peg Englishman – Robin A. Neumann – robin cox walsh – Sigga Dís – Pam Parker – Angela Niman – Karen Isaacson – Terri Kinjo – Quinn McDonald – Quinn McDonald – Marit Barentsen -

Issue 3

About 6 months ago I received an email telling me that I had won an "inchie" on the back cover of "Featuring" magazine.  I forgot to submit a photo until the very last minute before the deadline so, I'm not sure I made the best choice.  I wish it showed up better.  But still........I'm just excited to be included!!  Mine is in the 4th row, 3rd from the left.  If you've never seen a copy, this is a really nice magazine with a lot of great artwork and inspiration!

It was a Holly Jolly Christmas!

Like father like son!

Family photo op.

A nice pile of presents but the best one is the one sitting on the couch!  Home from Las Vegas!!

Just a few holiday photos to share.  I'm hoping to get into more regular blogging soon!  Hope your holidays are VERY MERRY!!!!!

Just a couple more!

These are just a couple more mandalas that I created while teaching some of my neighbors how to do them.  I thought I may have gotten carried away with too many colors on the first one but, after it was all done......I kinda like it!  I have trouble taking pics of these.  I can never get the glittery effect show up properly!!