AUTUMN FUN - (Seasons Series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2006I have looked at the work of many many mandala artists over the past couple of years. If you have a look-see to the right, you will see that I have put up links today to other mandala makers sites that I have found informative, inspiring and beautiful.
When I started to envision going into business with my art, of course issues of competition came up for me; as an artist this is dangerous territory to stay in for very long. About a year ago, after looking at the Gaia Star World site, I had a vision of a world wide community of mandala makers bringing light and healing to the planet. We all have our own vision and voice. There is enough for everyone because there is plenty of need for healing.
I am humbled and pleased that others have felt inspired to begin creating mandalas of their own; and while it is heady for me to be called inspiring, I would encourage this: Find your voice, find your truth, and have fun in what you are doing.
I would love to read your thoughts in commentary.
9 comments:
Hi Sue,
Very interesting mandala - different (to me) than many of yours ...
I think issues of competition can plague any of us artists ... and it is smart of you to know not to stay in that territory too long.
Hey, I feel competitive about why so some people have some many more comments than I do!
But this vision of mandala makers (and artists in general) bringing light and healing is great!!
You as a person are inspiring and it shows in your work.
~ Diane Clancy
www.dianeclancy.com/blog
I made this mandala last year for the calendar I did. The quote with it was "Earth laughs in flowers." I see the face of Homer Simpson in it.
~Sue
No Sue, your mandalas are all I need. They satisfy me completely with their ethereal beauty. I don't need to see those other mandalas (I did look). Don't send me to any other sites, I won't be happy. I am a one and only fan of your's.
To me, you inspiring attitude says that your are able to look afar and see the world and your part in it. I admire your sense of security and confidence.
Today I posted my "destructions" on making a mandala, be sure to read it as you are mentioned there.
I think one of the things I like about this mandala is that you have retained part of the image and that makes the images look like symbols within the magic circl. Less cosmic and more grounded. I have no idea if that makes any sense at all, but to my aged hippie mind it seems to! It is less ornate and gorgeous than some of the others, but it has another satisfying comforting quality and is very autumnal.
Re competition - I think, there is no competition if we are true to ourselves and express what is within us. Even when we are inspired by others, or use their work in our art, we still produce our own take on things, our spirit shines through. No-one can compete with you to be Sue O'Kieffe, if you get what I'm saying - so no point dwelling on insecurity that comes from seeing someone else being themselves. As Diane hints, there is nothing we can do about people looking elsewhere, so we just have to try as hard as possible to be true to ourselves.
Frances, I couldn't agree with you more. Often when I write here, it is from the POV of the journey I have made in my development as an artist.
~Sue
Know what you mean.
It is a very fine line between what we do creatively and our desire to please entertain and receive feedback - the private creativity and the exhibition. Very hard in every area, but particularly art.
So often I see competitiveness as a symptom of seeing the world as limited. As a massage therapist, I welcome other practitioners into my area. I have colleagues who ask me if I am not worried that the new therapists will cut into my business. I believe that there is plenty of work for everyone. I look at the world from a viewpoint and belief that there is abundance.
All I have to do to reinforce that is go out to my garden and see the abundant greens that are growing there, more than we can possibly eat before they go to seed, and I KNOW that all will be provided for if I simply have some calm faith. Well, and I have to plant the seeds and water them too.
I love your mandalas, and if I had photoshop or some other image treating software I would be making them too. I keep looking at my balloon flowers and thinking they would make most excellent mandala subjects.
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