Saturday, September 29, 2012

drawing challenge / mandala






Before I knew what mandalas were I was drawing them.  In high school during class lectures drawing kept me awake and surprisingly focused.  I remember fellow students admiring the details of my designs and commissioning a drawing for their notebook or forearm.

It is a free flowing practice that without great thought or intent produces a blossom of sorts, sometimes quite beautiful. To this day I find it a good way to warm up my hand and relax my mind.

Meditative Nadine chose our theme this week.

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Lacey, lovely mandalas, Rachel. I, too, did an inordinate amount of mandala-doodling in school. best, sus

Peggy Ray said...

Rachel, you blow Cecily and me away! Gorgeous, creative, inventive... My fave is the architectural one but I love them all! Exquisite, just like you!

nadine paduart said...

hey, rachel!
dare i say drawing a mandala feels like something right up your street? it all starts with pen drawing, don't it? i hadn't realised what with your techniques...
you could fill in a book of blank mandalas and sell your designs for people to colour them in! céline will be your first taker!
sweet and lovely, these are!
cheers for playing, rachel. so lovely to hear from you.
n♥

Carole Reid said...

Rachel, your delicate mandala reminds me of beautiful lace work. Such patience you have.

Patrice A. said...

Rachel!
these are beautiful!!
and Woolfies idea is great
yes, make a book!!

love
Patrice A.

Victoria said...

Totally magnificent..a powerful piece..stunning and beautiful!
victoria

lamediterrània said...

I used to draw in classes too as a concentration method and I loved it. My best friends always demanded some drawing for them and I enjoyed very much doing it. Some teachers got upset because they thought I wasn't listening, but I was, and very focused indeed!
And then... I ended up studying fine arts at university and I draw everyday without teachers getting angry :)
Beautiful mandalas Rachel.

Unknown said...

I admire how you got them so evenly and I love the last one with the houses - so cool!
xo Barbara

Unknown said...

Rachel your mandalas are balanced and even and with a fabulous quality of a relaxed and uneven and flowing 'line.' It's perfect. I have a feeling that you could produce millions of these and always come up with something different. Awesome work you create!!! Love this. Norma, xo

Ariane Reichardt said...

Wonderful,
dear Rachel!
These Mandals are really exquisite.
And, of course, as here already wished, a book of your mandalas would be wonderful! Maybe one could feel the same joy, lightness and inner peace when colour it as you've felt during drawing...

Love
Ariane.

Miss Herzfrisch said...

I really like your drawings, especially the last one with the houses!
Sabine

renilde said...

I see lace, flower gardens and palaces, they are awesome Rachel, worlds of the(your) imagination to slide into, xx

Rosemary said...

What lovely delicate mandalas you have created and as others have mentioned like lace.

Lil Muse Lily said...

so detailed and beautiful. all of them

mano said...

wonderful - I love your beautiful mandalas! :-) mano

Stefanie Seltner said...

beautiful mandalas!
May I invite you to the next drawing challenge? Would be nice if you´re in!
x Stefanie