Make a Mandala! Creativity Tip #13

I’ve been enjoying all the great ideas on Shelley Klammer’s blog. One of those ideas is to draw mandalas, here’s what she writes about the value of doing mandalas:

https://www.expressiveartworkshops.com/expressive-art-e-courses/30-day-expressive-drawing-challenges/mandalas

I don’t draw much, so I’m mostly collaging my mandalas. So Creativity Tip #13 could be both, “try mandalas,” and “if the assignment doesn’t work for you, bend it until it does!”

Shelley says to trace something circular, such as a plate, into your sketchbook. I’ve traced a yogurt lid onto already painted sketchbook pages, so I have an element of chance before I even begin!

Here are some more mandalas from my sketchbook:

Now, what makes it quick, easy and fun for me to do these is that I have a stash of creative bits and pieces ready to go:

And here’s how I keep a lot of it organized, in this super-snazzy desk organizer, shelf-thingy from IKEA:

You might think, but wait, Elaine, you’re a “serious artist,” why are you doing these little sketchbooky things?

Doing these mandalas, and having a creative sketchbook practice are important parts of my creative process. They support the “serious” art work.

Sometimes, I’m incredibly productive in the studio, and other days, not so much. I might be getting over a cold, like today, or feeling in between projects. Having a creative sketchbook process, which can include making mandalas, is a way of refilling the creative well for me.

I made a sketchbook page about that:

Some days in the studio, I’m not making anything amazing or wonderful that’s going to end up in a gallery, but I have rules about studio time, and I have to make something.

Making mandalas is a wonderful way to refill the creative well.

I encourage you to give it a try!

All artwork and photographs are copyright Elaine Luther 2015-2016 All Rights Reserved.