KEEPING THE FAITH

Grounded in the Light - (Mandalas for Peace ) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image: Northern California beach sand

To see a world in a grain of sand,
And heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.
~William Blake

I was asked by another artist over on Twitter how I got into mandala making. My reply was that it was more like mandala making got into me.

My first experience with the holy circle was in the late '90s when I had the opportunity to take a mandala workshop facilitated by a woman who was certified by Judith Cornell. If you have never seen examples of Judith Cornell's style, take a look at Caterina Martinico's work. I became fascinated working with in the confines of completeness in other art work I did, but it wasn't until I got my first computer and discovered the Earth Mandalas website that I knew I had to learn how to use Photoshop.

Fast forward a few years to 2005.

I went back to school for training in digital media and desktop publishing after a series of work layoffs had left me feeling ready for learning something new. After the end of my first semester in Photoshop, I remembered the Earth Mandala website and decided to spend some time learning how to make these mandalas. While developing this skill I began envisioning possibilities of getting my art out into the world. I took a second semester in Photoshop to further develop my skills and used blogging on Xanga as a way of developing confidence in my art.

It wasn't until I was diagnosed with a benign tumor on my carotid artery in 2006 that I began to feel like mandala making was a true calling. I turned my will and my care over to my faith in the Universe and did what I needed to do to have the surgery I needed. It was a demonstration in how we are taken care of if we allow it to happen. The allowing is the hardest and not without those dark moments of the soul. I am still learning to travel within the Unknown, and today I would say I do it with a bit more grace and strength than I did five years ago.

I am coming upon the 3rd anniversary of the diagnosis of my tumor and I am once again unemployed.My employer's decision was totally unexpected, and I find I am not fighting against the decision. There are moments of anger, but mostly I feel steady and optimistic that still more doors are waiting to open. My new printer will arrive any day now along with paper and packing supplies. I am looking towards selling more of my art. I am excited you get to share my developments with me here.

The message I have today is to keep the faith and follow those dreams.

Never ever give up! ~ Winston Churchill

~Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

I SENSE THERE IS THIS MYSTERY

Depth of Wonder - (Dream Mandala series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image - red alder flower staminate


I Sense There is This Mystery: All Life is Being Lived

And yet, though we strain
against the deadening grip
of daily necessity,
I sense there is this mystery:

All life is being lived.

Who is living it then?
Is it the things themselves,
or something waiting inside them,
like an unplayed melody in a flute?

Is it the winds blowing over the waters?
Is it the branches that signal to each other?

Is it flowers
interweaving their fragrances
or streets, as they wind through time?

~ Rainer Maria Rilke

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While I enjoy creating many different kinds of mandalas, it is the themes of mystery and wonder that intrigue me the most. While creating this image, I could not help but be drawn into its depth . It spoke to me of holiness. The mandala's 11 rays creates a bridge between the higher and lower realms and offers spiritual illumination. I thought this poem by Rilke, found on @gassho's (Pamir Kiciman) Twitwall posting a perfect accompaniment to this mandala.

This is my 250th post. I had other plans, originally, to mark this day, but spirit apparently has some other plans for me. Instead I will offer gratitude and thanks for all of those who have helped and inspired me along the way. I hope you know who you are...parents, teachers, lovers, friends, medical and spiritual advisors, different mentors...thanks for holding me up and helping me get to where I am. My open heart is full of appreciation for you all.

SACRED LIFE SUNDAY - MYSTERY

Mystery - (Meditation Cards) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2008

This is my body, this is my blood - Mark 16:22-24 (paraphrased)

...the beauty of the bird, the symbol of the snake, the courage of the pilot, and the wonder of human love will always be touched with mystery ~F. Forrester Church

Love enigmas more than certainties ~ Rob Brezsny
-----------------------

I am back from my trip and am still processing photographs (I took around 300!). Re-entry was a little bumpy and I'm still processing the emotional content of the journey as well. But ohhhh, it was so good to get away, with incredible beauty surrounding me for three days in Southern Oregon.

I am walking a line between wanting to go deep with my art and living on the surface in the material world. Mostly I think this dichotomy....one or the other.... is an illusion. Choose my time wisely.

Tick-tock.
The time is now.


Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

WONDER, MYSTERY AND MAGIC

Bouquet Mandala - (Circles of Wonder series) - © Sue O'Kieffe

I thank you god for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the
blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes
~e e cummings

-------------------
Even though I live on the North Coast of California where flowers are just beginning to bloom now in mid-January, finding something new to photograph is a challenge this time of year. My eyes are hungry for something different, and so on Sunday I wandered into the local high end grocery store with my camera. It has a pretty nice floral department besides deli counter, juice bar, bakery and delicious organic produce. Once I wander inside anywhere with my camera, I must admit I feel a bit self conscious or wonder when Im going to be thrown out on my ear; but no one really cared when the flash went off amidst the orchids and so I relaxed a bit. I've wondered for a while if I could use a bouquet for a source image. I loved the colors of the flowers in this collection. But even more, they contained the feel of moon and mystery I was looking for to begin with.

I have had different people comment to me about the magic of digital art. I agree so much. The math of it which creates these functions which mimics the processes of film development never ceases to amaze me. I don't want to know how it works. I'd much rather marvel at the magic.

Does knowing how something works make it more or less amazing for you?

MORE MANDALA MYSTERY

Personal Power Mandala - (Healing in Circles) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2006

Creating this mandala was my first encounter with finding hidden visual messages in the flowers and stones I use as source images for my artwork. People's reactions to it were varied, but I think creating artwork that elicits strong reactions is a good thing. This mandala continues to be one of my favorite pieces.

I see totem figures: warriors, dogs, ducks, rabbits, and lots of teeth. Mirriam-Webster defines a totem as " any entity which watches over or assists a group of people, such as a family, clan or tribe. " More recently totem figures have also been adopted by individuals as personal spirit helpers which have personal meaning to them. (Wikipedia) .The center of this mandala is the power medicine these totem figures offer those who are attracted to it. In effect it is an enhancement of our own personal power.

The photograph of the flower I used to create this image is no longer on my harddrive, nor have I ever identified it. Right now, it is just part of the mystery, too.

Please share your thoughts with me. Are you drawn to or do you feel disturbed by this mandala?