Express Your Self; Mandala Painting
Posted: Wednesday, June 13, 2007
by Joanne Osband
Coloring Out Of The Line
“Artistic expression lies in all of us and requires only a sense of trust and the freedom to allow the flowing for magic to happen."
Joanne Osband
What is a Mandala?
Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning holy or magical circle. I first learned about mandalas in a dream work class I took for the art therapy curriculum. Psychologist Carl Jung began drawing circles and designs and noticed that they somehow corresponded to his inner situation, feelings, impression, and thoughts. He concluded after some study of the matter with his own drawings and also the drawings of his patients, that these circular drawings were therapeutic, first to draw, then to look at. Jung finally arrived at the conclusion that the Self, the wholeness of the personality, is reflected in the mandala. He felt that the mandala that a person spontaneously drew in any given moment was a gentle reminder, or urge to live out that person’s potential, something he called the person’s total personality which he called individuation. He felt that attention to the symbols the unconscious gave in response to queries for deeper meaning could enhance and speed personal growth and understanding.
When I have a dilemma or when feeling a need to get in touch with myself I create a mandala. I created my first mandala as a project for the dream work class in 1989 and have been making them ever since. Some days I choose to listen to music while creating mandalas and other times I prefer the silence and sounds of birds or wind outside my window. In the process of creating a mandala I find that a meditative state naturally occurs.
FIRST : I draw a large circle on a half sheet of watercolor paper.
SECOND : I sit quietly and breathe waiting for inspiration.
THIRD : I begin in the center which psychology speaking is the core, the very essence of Self. I chose a color and allowed my brush, the water, and the pigment to flow across the paper. The unfolding begins. The choices of colors just happen and so do the shapes, lines and forms. Sometimes I go with what appears symbolically and bring it out or just enjoy the spontaneity and total freedom.
From an early age, I learned that people seem to like your art when it resembles or represents life. I have been juggling this phenomenon for years. When I began creating mandalas it gave me the freedom to create whatever came forth and not have to please anyone. It seems so genuine. I noticed that these mandalas reflected me at a deeper level. At times I question whether to show my mandalas paintings along with my other paintings or not. An artist colleague told me if I do not display my mandalas with my other paintings it is like throwing the baby out with the bath water.
YOU Too Can Create a Mandala
Did I hear you say that you do not have a creative bone in your body?
It is time to see your self free. Tap into your creativity and artistic self-expression. Yes, it is there! Trust the process and allow your self the freedom to allow the flowing for the magic to happen. Watercolors are fun, but they are not the only medium. Choose whatever appeals to you when you are in the art store or use any art materials at your finger tips. Set aside at least an hour of uninterrupted time. Remember to give the “art critic in your head" a vacation somewhere else away from you. Now, create! And most importantly, ENJOY!
Joanne Osband is an accomplished artist and registered art therapist who is a kind and masterful guide for assisting others to discover the gifts that live within us.
http://www.ColoringOutOfTheLine.com
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