In June 2014 I was preparing for surgery and couldn’t sleep worrying about it. I chatted with my friend CarlyMarie about starting a new journal and drawing mandalas again.
I first started exploring mandalas in 2002 when I was hospitalized with pregnancy complications, my son and I would colour mandalas when he came to visit. I found it relaxing and I started colouring them too.
Then I started drawing my own mandalas. I drew them freehand and with a compass. I have drawn them on and off over the years. For me they are an exercise in relaxation creating a meditative like state.
After chatting with CarlyMarie I started drawing mandalas again, spending my recovery time after surgery drawing mandalas.
I shared with my online friend Kathryn about picking back up my mandala practice and she was keen to join me. From our chats 100 Mandalas was born. Encouraging people to draw 100 mandalas was born. Since October 2014 when 100 Mandalas was launched I have drawn hundreds of mandalas and met many people who share a love of all things mandala.
One of the things that I wanted to do when rediscovering my mandala practice, was to share mandalas with others through workshops. Since then I have had the opportunity to facilitate many workshops through our local bookshop community groups.
Now it is time for me to branch out and offer my own workshops, with the first being held at the end of the month.
What I love about mandalas are the infinite possibilities – there are so many different ways to create a mandala: drawn freehand or with a compass, ruler and pencil. Coloured pencil, pen, painted or mixed media mandalas, also digital mandalas
If you are interested in following my explorations with the mandala you can follow this blog, or 4Ravens on facebook or instagram.
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