Japanese Winter - (Sacred Circle series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2007I created this mandala sometime last fall when I was designing my holiday cards. The image didn't make the cut because it felt too much like some time in nature after winter solstice. On the North Coast of California ornamental cherry trees begin to bloom sometime in January, and the feelings that come up for me when I spot the first blooms are ones of wonder and awe. On Christmas Day I toured my neighborhood; the cherry trees have lots of buds. This image, I think, was created from a photograph of camelias. It's been so long I don't remember, and now I realize I need to create a better way of cataloging my work.
So what I am offering here are those feelings of hope as a gift for the New Year. I was going to write about my own intentions for 2008; but as we all know, life is what happens when you are busy making other plans. My hopes for the New Year's weekend had been to party with my tribe, create art, get out with my camera, say YES to life. What I did instead was sleep, sneeze, sniffle, cough, sleep, get up, nap, sleep. You get the idea.
I promised 12 mandalas for the holiday season and I will post the last one on Friday, which is 12th Night. Epiphany. The end of the season. Take down the tree and put away the decorations day. Epiphany. Im ready.
How about you?
Happy New Year. Im grateful to everyone I've met here in the past 11 months, for all you have offered of your lives, your art, your creativity. Have you chosen an adjective yet that embraces your intent for 2008?
Do tell.
6 comments:
Just a beautiful border...I have to teach my eyes to not focus on the center when here. Impressive series.
I love the repeat of the design in the border was that done as a photocopy? My art word for next year must be "learn" as I have much to learn about digital images. I hope your year is the best ever!
Hi Sue,
Very lovely mandala!
I will be eager to hear when you do write about 2008.
Adjective ... can I have 2?
Healthy and joyful!
~ Diane Clancy
www.dianeclancy.com/blog
john it's ok to focus on the center. the circle of the mandala is a universe, so the center, is, well, the center of the universe. i will write more about mandala philosophy in a future post.
bobbie-- you have given me an idea for a future ps tutorial...so when is CS3 due to arrive?
diane -- you can have as many adjectives as you want! sort of like eating dessert first :)
Lovely mandala and I am going for lots of balance this year. As a bipolar person I need lots of that.
Did I wish you a happy new year yet? Consider it done! 2008 is going to be great and I hope I don't tempt fate by saying that.
I am so glad I got to know you and your art this year, it has been a real pleasure.
Yes, I'd like to know more about mandala philosophy too!
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