Renewal Mandala

Renewal Mandala

Signs of spring are regularly showing up now on my walks and field trips around the North Coast of California. I spotted this candytuft at a local nursery, and the vibrant magenta daisies were blooming proudly in a neighborhood garden. How can you not feel excited by that gorgeousness?

I love how well the two sources played together. Spring colors honoring Oester came through, pale and hot pinks, soft blue and electric aqua, hints of lavendar. The symmetry of 6 speaks of balance, harmony and compassion. Spring is a time of renewal, of course, after those winter months devoid of color. Inhale deeply and soak it in.

Mandala blessings,

Sue O'Kieffe

Sacred Circle Mandalas

Vernal Equinox Mandala

Vernal Equinox Mandala (Circles of Being) Sue O'Kieffe © 2013

source images: forsythia, white plum blossoms, tabular crystal

bloom,
as spring seeds emerge-
through earth,
poking through-
green reaching towards,
the suns warm rays against blue.
bloom,
that word that brings-
growing,
bringing life-
rebirthing.
bloom,
coming to me,
I see my fields turning-
I see my sky aching,
to push through in bloom.
waking in this moment to see,
my bloom and changes that-
bring me,
to my opening.

© Maureen Kwiat Meshenberg

https://www.facebook.com/Heartcalling

(I've turned off the comments on my blog. I'd love to read your responses on my Facebook page or profile)

BEING PRESENT

Presence Mandala - (Mandalas for Peace Project) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image: ornamental plum tree blossoms

I have been following a neighborhood ornamental plum tree since here and chronicling its progress in photographs and mandalas. After a week of rain followed by some yummy sun, the buds have fully opened. I can't remember when I have followed any growth quite so closely or been so intimately connected with a non- human living thing. I felt joy watching the honey bees already gathering pollen. Trees buzzing in February. Hurray for longer days of light.

I hope you aren't toooo tired of pink by now (but February is the LOVE MONTH after all, and nothing says love like pink)

The mandala speaks to me of being present, open, ready for life. It says, Yippee I'm here.

When we operate from our hearts, then life really feels like a gift. That's why they call it The Present, yanno.

I would love to hear how this mandala speaks to you.

Oh yea, and I am playing Neko Case today because she sings like spring.

SIGNS OF SPRING

Spring Burst Mandala - (Circles of Spring Series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image - ornamental plum tree leaf buds

Yesterday on a morning walk I noticed the ornamental plum trees are starting to bud. When I first moved to California more than twenty years ago, watching these delicate pale pink flowers blossom while the world east of this coastal paradise was blanketed in snow excited me no end. I would suspect that by this time next Saturday the trees will be totally in bloom.

I hope over the next couple of weeks to follow the progress of this plum tree's opening. It is such a pleasure for me to record the natural beauty of my surroundings that inspire me so.

This is my 241st blog post. When I reach post #250 in about two weeks, I will be announcing details for an opportunity to win a mandala intuitively created by me for the winner. Stay tuned for more details.

And don't forget to visit my analog blog, Sue Doodles. Change is in the air!

A DAY AT THE MARSH

For as far back as I can remember I have lived near water and loved watching birds. One of the places I most love to visit is the Arcata Marsh. This marsh is an innovative use of wetlands that not only promotes bird watching but also water treatment that has been showcased on PBS and many other ecologically oriented magazines. Last week the weather was sunny and still warm after work, so I headed over to the wetlands to smell that delicious aroma of water and decaying vegetation. I was mostly looking for texture to offer John Mora for more of our ongoing collaborations.

What I have been learning in this process that John and I are sharing is that the vision in my art is shifting again. It is a time for me both of excitement and frustration, as I reach for the right combinations of photoshop techniques to match my internal vision. What I suspect is that there are techniques I haven't learned yet. I am stretching toward the spring sun.

Don't you love the cattails and catkins?


I love John Mora's interpretation, a New Yorker still influenced by overlays of winter frost and blue grey slush. What I love about John's work is his geometry which translates so well into my circular meanderings.


See what I mean?

Marsh Mandala - (Circles of Fun) - Mora/O'Kieffe collaborative effort 2008


I wanted to add some color and mystery to this image. I have been really attracted to colors in the purple/burgundy/rose family of late, something that I associate with this time of year and Aquarian/Piscean energies
Plum Luscious Mandala - (Circles of Fun) - O'Kieffe/Mora collaboration


Today I discovered on Marianne's Mandalas and More blog a link for plug-in filters that are compatable with both Photoshop and PSP. (Irene, are you paying attention?) I created a kaleidoscope from a dahlia image and merged it with the marsh mandala first
Marsh Wreath - (Circles of Fun) - O'Kieffe/Mora collaboration 2008



and then introduced it to the second mandala image above.
Spring Fling Mandala - (Circle of Fun) - O'Kieffe/Mora collaboration 2008


Here's to things melting soon in the North and anywhere else where snow persists. Im so ready for the rejuvenation of spring, aren't you?

CREATION

Lilac Glow Light Mandala - (Spring Seasonal Circles series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2007

One of the deep pleasures in my creative process is taking the photographs that I use for my mandalas. More than that, it is in the witnessing of creation blooming right before my eyes. My intent is to capture the life force I witness and translate it into my mandalas.

Recently, I received this comment from one of my customers:

"You seem to create images which resonate with those places in myself outside of the symbols of language... seeing the mandalas often creates a sensate experience for me, redefining the idea of a 'touching image', often a deep encouragement, a strengthening of heart and mind." ~Suzanne J.

People have requested that my mandalas be presented in formats for use in meditation. Traditionally mandalas are used in this way, as symbols for healing, prayer and meditation. I have envisioned a DVD with accompanying music. This is a project I would like to see to fruition within the next year.

Please share your thoughts with me and post a comment. I would love to hear what is on your mind.

CELEBRATING SPRING

SPRING PASSION ( Circles of Spring series) - © Sue O'Kieffe


Leptospermum (tea tree plant) is commonly used as shrubbery where I live. Sunday, on my photoshoot, I found a house with four or five different varieties in the front yard. The bright pink blossomed ones are my favorite.

I have enjoyed creating these mandalas to mark this season of rebirth and renewal. If it is true that teachers teach what they need to learn, maybe artists create what they need to experience. It is as if my soul is crying out, "C'mon, c'mon, let's go. Let's live!"

My desire as an artist is to express what is inside in ways that others relate to.

What are your thoughts? Share them with me, if you feel inspired. I'd love to hear what's on your mind.

SPRING GREEN

Spring green has been catching my eye and showing up in my creations. This particular mandala was created from the image seen below photographed by my friend dosmangoes of a rare type of green fluorite.

I like the coolness of this green and how I was able to capture the cubic shaped crystals. Green is the color of spring, new growth. In metaphysical traditions it is the color of the heart chakra. It is my hope to bring calm and healing to those who view my art.
© Sue O'Kieffe 2007

SPRING JOY MANDALA

Forget me nots are an early bloomer here on the North Coast of California. I have found photographing them to be a challenge, so I honored my success with this mandala. Im thinking May Day festivals, Rites of Spring, celebration, joy. My thoughts have been broadcasting into the future, towards my first art opening next February. It will be the cusp of spring here on the coast. An image like this would be a cheerful greeting after a rainy winter.