PLAYTIME

Surely You Jest Mandala - (Healing in Circles series) - © 2006 Sue O'Kieffe

I don't know about you, but I have been thinking wayyyyy too much about too many serious things to the point where I think my head might just explode and all I really want to do is swing on the swings and eat cotton candy and watch the clouds go by and roll down the hills and who cares if I get grass stains on my white bermuda shorts? It's playtime!

So my friend SusieSoo and I want to pull you up out of your computer chairs and push you out the door and invite you to feel the sun on your face and let's go fly kites. Last one in the pool is a rotten egg!

OUT AND ABOUT

Summertime Mandala - (Summer Series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2006

I am going to be in two local shows for digital artists during the months of July and August, so if any of you get to the North Coast of California be sure to check us out. The Eureka Photoshop Users Group is showing at Simply Macintosh, on the Arcata Plaza, in July. Another group of digital artists will be showing at the Humboldt County Library's Hagopian Gallery during July and August. What fun!

Radiant Light Mandala - (Circles of Light series) - © 2007 Sue O'Kieffe

Tuesday afternoon I received email from my business counselor that he was trying to arrange a meeting with a professional printer to talk with me about my printing concerns. So I decided to postpone taking in anymore information until after I talked with him.

The one thing I am definitely questioning, though, is the need to use archival ink for printing these cards. Hellooooo answer, I'm still looking for you! Am I getting warmer?

With this image, I started a new series of mandalas. My art, at its core, is about the Light piercing the darkness. My intent is to find new ways to let the Light shine through !

EXPLORING PRODUCTION COSTS, PART II

Heaven's Embrace Mandala Greeting Card - © 2007 Sue O'Kieffe - $4.00 + shipping and tax

Yesterday I contacted local artist Andrew Daniel, who is one of my heroes and role models, as well as a favortite of mine in the local art scene, to ask him to print one of my cards on his printer. After a bunch of exploration looking for less expensive sources for Epson ink without going the generic route, I began to question the need for printing my cards using archival ink. Andrew has gone this route and prints beautifully colorful cards, but doesn't use much black in his work. It is the depth and richness of the black ink that I think makes my cards look elegant. Of course, black is the most expensive of the inks and I am guessing I use two cartridges for every 100 cards I print. I am still tracking that information. I'm really grateful that he was willing to help me out. I'm going to see him this evening.

Happy Birthday to You

Summer Delights Mandala - (Summer Series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2007

This mandala and blog post honors my artist/blogging compadre, Diane Clancy, who has been a source of inspiration and information ever since she found me a few months back. I am grateful for her presence, her generous spirit, her dedication to her values, her diligence and her honesty.

Many blessings to you this day, dear friend.

CONSIDERING PRODUCTION COSTS

Summer Solstice - (Summer Series) - © 2007 Sue O'Kieffe

I have been exploring the subject of production costs a little bit this week. My overall preference would be not to print my greeting cards myself. I have an Epson printer that actually prints beautiful work, but the cost of the ink is really prohibitive for production work. I did a bit of cursory googling yesterday searching for wholesale ink, and what I found was either knock off ink (which I won't use) or ink that doesn't work with my printer model.

I have a friend who has approached me with a business proposition. He is offering to loan me enough money to print 2 0f my cards using a professional printer. He would sell some of the cards where he lives in Kentucky and ship the rest back to me to sell where I am. I am still mulling this idea over. I would rather have three cards printed, so perhaps there would be a way for me to come up with the balance. He and I are still talking about this idea. I do feel pretty confident that I could set up five wholesale accounts locally who would purchase these cards. Would this be enough to get me started though? I'm not sure. And I want to make sure that using an out of the area printer is my best option. In some ways Id rather use local printers because of my "shop local" value I try to follow as much as possible.

Is there anyone out there who knows of a less expensive resource for Epson ink? I know it is possible to buy in quantity from suppliers and that would bring my costs down as well.

Today's mandala was created from a day lily that was on the downside of its life cycle. I was attracted to the transparency of the lily's petals, almost as if you could see into it to the cellular level.

THE BUSINESS OF ART

Garden Party Mandala - (Summer Series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2007

As some of you who have been following my blog may know, I was recently accepted into a 10 month Artists in Business focus group. One of the features of this group is access to a business counselor to help guide and assist us through this process. My counselor and I met for the first time today. On my way to the meeting, I noticed a little patch of tri-colored alyssum planted around a light post and I made a mental note to take a picture of them after my meeting. I was really attracted to the three colors and thought they would make a pretty pattern in a mandala.
This mandala marks the beginning of the next leg of my journey, hunkering down to the nuts and bolts of creating a business. It's a good thing I have a well developed left side of my brain.

So my next step is to begin investigating ways of bringing down my production costs, because right now I am losing money the way I am printing for what I am charging. When I forged ahead back in February designing and producing my cards I pretty much thought it would require some procedural adjustments somewhere down the line. Looks like that time is now!

I did a tiny bit of maintenance on my blog this weekend too and added an icon in my profile. I use that mandala on my business cards. If you go to the beginning of my blog, it was also the first image I posted here last year.

I also added a few more artists' blogs I like to read. If you aren't familiar with these really fine artists, I hope you will take the time to go meet them and appreciate their many talents.

RECLAIMING THE LIGHT

Reclaiming the Light Mandala Greeting Card - © Sue O'Kieffe 2006 ($4.00 + shipping and tax)

This card is one in the series of 12 greeting cards that I currently offer for sale. Of the twelve, the image and quote on this card are probably closest to my heart.

I want to thank those of you who offered such generous feedback and commentary on my last post. I know that I have a story to share about my journey; I don't know if I will do it I on my blog and/or website or not. I think I am a mirror for many journeys, just as much as you are for me. We all carry a bit of the "Divine Spark;" we are all related. We are all one. May we all be restored to wholeness.

If you are interested in seeing any of my other cards, there is a link to my card gallery on the right. If you are interested in purchasing any of my work, please email me for more information.

I want to thank all of you who read my blog, whether you comment or not. I would love to hear from all of you.

WHAT IS TOO MUCH INFORMATION?

Points of Light Mandala - (Healing in Circles series) - © 2006 Sue O'Kieffe

This particular mandala, created from a photograph of a dandelion gone to seed, is an image of mine that seems to draw people in. I, too, like the way where the seeds connect in the circle that they seem to create little points of light.

The other evening I received this comment at my other blog from someone who stumbled upon my work: " I was have [sic] so much problems in my head, but your pictures comfort me. I would like to thank you for posting such great pictures here..."

This is what I believe is the higher calling about my art, that it does bring comfort and sustenance to people who view it. I try not to let my ego get in the way about this. This is the feedback I receive over and over from people who have viewed and purchased my work.

I am in the process of designing my website. I was reading some information at Chris O'Byrne's website about telling stories about our artwork on our website. This got me to thinking about the journey of my art, which is deeply personal. I have wondered if the story of surgery I had last fall to remove a growth on my carotid artery would be a good idea to include in an "About the Artist" page on my website. While I do believe that this tumor, located in an area of my body directly related to expression and communication, has a bearing to my growth as an artist, is it something I really need to include about myself? Even by posting about it here, I am letting my readers know about this very personal issue.

This is a topic I would like to kick around for a bit, and it is something I would appreciate receiving feedback about. I would encourage you to leave me comments, or contact me via email. I do have an email link above.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post and for leaving me your thoughts.

I've Been Tagged!

Summer Explosion Mandala -(Summer Series) - © Sue O'Kieffe

First of all I wanted to show you my most recent mandala which was created from a picture of a lily that is growing outside the office where I work. I love how it radiates the passion and heat of summer. I have already had someone express an interest in it for a birthday present for herself and for her new home she and her husband are purchasing soon. I think it is a perfect image for a Leo. They are all about shining.

The lovely Diane Clancy has tagged me to write 7 random things about myself. She also tagged every other person I know with an art business blog, so I guess this will end with me but this will still be fun. If someone out there is reading my blog and wants to play, please do, but let me know so I can come read what you wrote!

One of my favorite childhood memories is finding a turtle on the way to school when I was maybe 6. I kept this turtle in my backyard in a box and fed it raw hamburger and named it Pancakes, because that it what its underbelly reminded me of.

I just won (yesterday)the new Adobe Creative Suite. Ask me if Im excited.

My favorite crayon color was when I was 5 was periwinkle. My overall favorite color now is yellow, followed by purple and pink and red and green and gold and blue and teal .....oh who can pick? I like 'em all! I even like lime green.

I have an alter ego who is a clown. Her name is SusieSue. She really likes color. You should see her rainbow striped sox.

I can touch my tongue to my nose and wiggle my ears.

I didn't begin to embrace my artist self until I was in my mid 50's. My mother always said I was a late bloomer.

I have traveled to Italy and Greece, lived in three different states (Minnesota, Iowa and California), traveled through much of the midwest and south and part of the Pacific Northwest. I dream of the desert and traveling to the UK.

I hope you enjoyed reading my 7 random things. I will be around to see what other's might have posted soon.

PRAYER MANDALA

Prayer Mandala - (Healing in Circles series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2006

Three weeks ago I returned to working full time outside the home after an extended period working on my art at home. It has been a bit of an adjustment, and for a while I felt very discouraged about working on my art. I have also been feeling a sense of no direction, with so many different things on my plate I want to accomplish and no real idea how to get there.

Recently, both on my blog and on Diane Clancy's blog, I have come across more internet marketing material via the suggestions posted by Chris O'Byrne. His postings took me to his blog. I have decided my next step will be to listen to some of what he has posted via podcast to see if this will help me more closely solidify some of my ideas for my website. The website has proven to be a much more daunting task than I ever imagined, because I know that putting it up is so much more than it looking purty.

I created this particular mandala last fall, and it's the first mandala I created where I filled in the background space. For me it has a sense of both containement and outward direction.

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. I would love for you to share yours with me.

CREATING BEAUTY FROM THE EVERYDAY

Inner Knowing Mandala - (Healing in Circles series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2007

I have recently begun a new day job in an office located in an industrial park area that actually has nice and well kept landscaping. I keep my camera tucked away in my car, and go on mini photoshoots on my lunch breaks (since it is overcast here much of the time) or after work.

This shrub is part of the local landscaping. After a bit of investigation, I was able to identify it as a variety of dogwood -- Bailey's Red Dogwood, to be exact! This added to my knowledge, because I never knew dogwood blossoms grew in clusters like this. But aside from that, what I liked even more was taking the time to look, really look. How often do we see these shrubs and take them for granted, without ever noticing the subtleties of color or the faint red outline on the leaves?

When I finished this mandala image, I had a deep sense of knowing that part of what I do is create beauty from the everyday and present these everyday occurrences in a more direct and accessible way for the viewer and potential collector. I felt satisfied.

TEA, ANYONE?

Into the Green Mandala - (Healing in Circles series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2007

Recently a flower box filled with some of the largest succulent specimens I have ever seen caught my eye. My posting on May 1st was created from the flowers of one of those succulents. This mandala was created from another of those succulents.

When I look at the mandala, I am reminded of some Wedgewood plates that were in my mother's china collection. I see sliced summer tomatoes with cottage cheese and chives and a tall glass of iced tea, a touch of elegance after a day in the garden.

These past couple of weeks I have needed to take some time out to regroup. Unforseen issues needed to be and are still being considered. I acknowledge that art, business, and all of life is a process and things take time. During these times it is good for me to remember the larger picture and also the messages of gratitude I have received from my collectors. It is part of what keeps me motivated.

What do you do to keep the negative energy of discouragement from taking over?

MAY DAY

May Day Revelry - (Spring Circles series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2007

I took a few days off from blogging to regroup and renew my own spirit. Finding this stalk of yellow flowers yesterday springing from one of the largest succulents I have ever seen did much to elevate my mood. They seemed to be having a party, and they called me over to celebrate with them.Of course, I had to create a mandala to mark that time of revelry!

Today is May Day. I think of the festive days of old, when celebrants danced around the maypole and honored the day as a time of fertility after the crops were planted. The seeds have been sown; let 's party and honor our efforts.

May Day has significance for me as well, in that it is a day I have chosen to mark the end of the "beta testing" for my business. I have been blessed with great feedback about my greeting cards. My next step is to be able to provide large orders for wholesale accounts. I have to remind myself over and over that all development comes in baby steps.

I love my art and knowing the positive effects it has on people's spirits. It is that knowledge that keeps me moving forwards.

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.

GOOD NEWS FOR SACRED CIRCLE MANDALAS

Ocean of Love Mandala - (Healing in Circle series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2007

I received notification yesterday that I was accepted into the 10 month focus group for Artists in Business that I applied for earlier this month. This is a program sponsored by our local Small Business Development Center. I have been waiting for a while for this program to open up again, but really, I wasn't ready for it until now anyway. This is exciting news for me, and I am looking forward to participating with a group of creative people, not all of whom are visual artists. It should make for an interesting synthesis.

Today's mandala was created from a photograph of seashells in water. I did not take this particular photograph used for the source image, but have permission to use it from the person who did. Normally I do not like to use other people's images, but it makes me aware under the right circumstances it could be a possibility. I loved the colors and textures in the photograph and was really intrigued by the bubbles in the water as a possible design element. I like the way it turned out.

DEDICATION TO BEAUTY

Joy Mandala -(Healing in Circles series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2007

What I like best about the art that I make is the privilege of creating such beauty from every day occurrences. Growing up in Minnesota I never saw wild onion growing in the proliferation with which it does here in Northern California, and the flower still delights me as a bringer of spring joy. I took this photograph of wild onion on Easter Day this year; the flower does have a sort of feel of miniature Easter lily, doesn't it? I see it even more in its translation into the mandala.

I do think that part of my calling to my art is in my dedication to beauty. I feel good about what I am doing, proud of my product and honored to use my talents in such a positive way. They are all a reflection of my own journey, but I know from the responses people have shared with me that I touch something deeply profound in them as well. My job is to create the art without expectation and let others find their own meanings. This process is often humbling in ways I would never expect.

Thank you for reading my blog and sharing in my art and my processes. If you would like to share your thoughts with me, I would love to read what's on your mind.

IN MEMORIUM

Enigma - (Earth Mysteries series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2007

MORE ON THE CREATIVE PROCESS

Key to the Cosmos Mandala - (Earth Mysteries series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2007

I have been thinking about the mandalas in my Earth Mysteries series the past few days. I am fascinated by the possibilities I think these mandalas present, but I have not as yet been satisfied with the way they have translated into print. Part of what makes them energetic on screen is diminished somewhat on paper. My desire is to showcase and accentuate the energy of the crystals which are the source images for these mandalas.

I have been looking at different printing processes which would allow me to transfer digital prints to glass. I have begun to visualize these mandalas as plaques on a stand with light shining through them. There are many ways that I solve problems, and visualizing what I want even though I don't exactly know how I am going to manage to bring it all through, is just one of many techniques that I use.

This is just the beginning of another creative journey that I want to manifest to reality.

Please share your thoughts with me. I would love to read about your processes too.

THE CREATIVE PROCESS

REACH FOR THE SUN MANDALA v2 - (Healing in Circle Series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2007

This is a short post about my creative process. I posted a mandala a couple of days ago , but I didnt quite feel right about it; and so I asked another artist friend of mine, Diane Clancy, to critique my work. From the feedback I got from her I changed the background back to black (which I had tried but hadn't cared for when I initially created the mandala) and retained the yellow stroke around the frame (which I hadn't tried when I first was playing with the black background.) I like the way it holds the contrast of interior/exterior that I was looking for, but gives the mandala itself center stage.

I do love working digitally in layers and the easy way it gives me to experiment with different approaches to my art.

Please share your opinions with me. I would love to read them.

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?

I CREATE WHAT I NEED

REACH FOR THE SUN MANDALA - (Healing in Circles series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2007

I think of this as a study in contrasts. Interior/exterior. Shadow and light. What is on the inside wanting to be expressed? What is on the outside wanting to be illuminated? This is a common theme in my Healing in Circles series. This particular series tends to be more emotional in content; healing our pain brings us closer to wholeness. As I go through my own journey, I hope to bring forth what others might find helpful in theirs. Almost all of my mandalas have a recurring theme of light in them.

This image was created from a photograph of a flowering shrub common to the North Coast of California. It has tentatively been identified as Oregon Grape Holly. I love its cheerful yellow blooms.

Please share your thoughts with me. I would love to know what you see or feel from looking at this mandala.

THE ARTIST'S JOURNEY

Rite of Spring Mandala - (Circles of Spring Series) - © Sue O'Kieffe

I am applying to be part of a ten month focus group for artists in business. I have been waiting a long time for this group to open up again. Sponsored by the local Small Business Development Center and funded with grant money, this organization offers assistance for artists at all levels of being in business for themselves. One thing that I like is that one of the requirements must be income levels being less than 80% of the county median. It tells me they want to assist those of us who strive to be successful but aren't there yet. They encourage those who are wanting to take their art from hobby level to business level.

The introductory meeting was earlier this week. I felt at ease and comfortable within the group, which was a diverse collection of visual artists, musicians, videographers, and designers.

My hope is that I will receive assistance and insight and practical information for some of the ways I want to take my business, join a community of like minded people, and get out of the solitude of the studio (affectionately known as my computer desk).

Thank you all for sharing my journey and your comments with me.

DANCING IN THE LIGHT

I am a member of the Eureka Photoshop User's Group. This is the our website. We are having our second group show this Saturday during Eureka's monthly Arts Alive, an artistic event of monthly openings in local shops and galleries. We have a rather eclectic group -- lots of nature photographers;others have a more artistic bent.

Dancing in the Light Mandala -(Circles of Healing series) - © Sue O'Kieffe 2006

This is the piece that I am hanging in the show. Created originally as a birthday gift for an online friend in my social blogging network on Xanga, (where I am known as Dancing Sun), this particular image has proven to be a favorite. I use it on my greeting cards, and I have licensed it to a local energy worker for her logo. I love the feeling of play, community, and light, a circle of friends gathering together to dance and hold hands with one another, a vision of peace and mutual cooperation that I hold as a possibility for all of us.

Please leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.

MORE FROM MOTHER EARTH

Earth's Splendor - (Earth Mysteries series) - © Sue O'Kieffe

Creating mandalas from images of gems and minerals has not only been challenging, it has also been educational. I have always loved stones, but I have never really liked science. A by-product of collaborating with my friend dosmangoes has been to learn just a bit more about the earth.

You might be surprised to know that the source image for this mandala is amethyst. I have always associated amethyst with the translucent purple Brazilian amethyst commonly seen in rock shops and jewelry stores. This specimen is from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. I understand that this is not entirely comprised of amethyst; if you look towards the bottom of the photograph, you can see the dense purple colored bands of this mystical stone.

The challenge that I feel in creating imagery from these minerals is translating the energy I feel in these stones into the mandalas. I want to honor the stones. The journey so far has been fun for me.

I am curious to know what you see and feel when you look at Earth's Splendor. Please share your thoughts with me.

COLOR HUNGER

SUN SALUTATION -(Summer Circle Series) - © Sue O'Kieffe

Some days I hunger for certain colors, and it definitely influences my creation choices. Maybe it's because I spend many of my best hours creating before sunrise and I need that vibrancy to flood my eyes and my consciousness. Yellow is actually my favorite color. It enlivens me and fills me with optimism. Summer days, goldfinches flitting in the trees, the sounds of meadowlarks filling the air. This is how yellow speaks to me.

What I love about creating from nature is how the most ordinary and almost noxious plants carry beauty in them just waiting for someone to find it. Around here, scotch broom is an invasive weed, but I love its sunny side up, butter yellow blooms.

For those of you who are new readers, I want to point your attention to my mandala portfolio and greeting card portfolio on the right. If you are interested in purchasing any of my art or have questions about it, please feel free to contact me. I would love to hear from you.

Please leave a comment. It helps me feel like I'm not alone.

Sue O'Kieffe

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.

Exploring the Mystery

I have been a rock hound since I was a young girl. One of my treasured possessions from childhood is a small apothecary jar of polished rocks I have carried with me whenever I moved. It was a natural progression for me during the development of my mandala making to begin using gems and minerals in my creations. My friend dosmangoes has been generous to let me use his photographs of crystals. And I have stones of my own which I have scanned into my computer to use with my mandalas. I am often surprised what appears when I create, which is really part of the appeal for me.


GALAXY FLOWER MANDALA © Sue O'Kieffe 2007

This particular mandala is part of my Earth Mystery series. While I am grateful to the stone I used to create it, I am uncertain what it is. I think perhaps it is a type of jasper that I brought home from one of the local beaches.

I received this testimonial yesterday:

“Looking at Galaxy Flowers mandala, I feel transcending energy within the calm. I ordered the print from Sue's collection and couldn't wait to get it! The day it came, I tore open the wrapper -- I was so happy to see how it turned out. Sue does first-rate art!” ~ Laurie B.

What are your thoughts or feelings when you look at this mandala? I would love to read your comments.

The Bluest Blue Mandala I Ever Have Seen

It started with a stop at the health food store. I noticed little containers of grape hyacinths in the outdoor plant stand and grabbed my camera. The image I captured was sweet but nothing extraordinary, at least to my eye. I don't consider myself the world's best photographer, but I do try to improve my eye and understanding of my camera each time I use it.















Something magically unexpected happened, though, when I created the mandala from this humble little photograph. With very little Photoshop tweaking -- simple levels and curves adjustments and a minor experiment with the diffuse filter -- the indigo in these grape hyacinths turned into the bluest darned blue I ever have seen.




I don't often notice physical sensations in my body when I look at my work, but I feel my sixth chakra being activated when I look at this mandala.

Can you understand why I named it "Blue Light Special?"

Leave me your thoughts. I'd enjoy reading your comments!
© Sue O'Kieffe 2007

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.

Sacred Circle Mandala Greeting Cards!

I am excited to announce the launch of my line of greeting cards based on my mandala designs. Each card is 5"x7". An inspirational quote is printed on the front, a definition of what a mandala is is printed on the back along with an indication of the source image for each mandala. Right now, I have seven cards in the line. More will be coming shortly. You can see my other designs by clicking here

Inquiries for purchase of these cards can be directed here
© Sue O'Kieffe 2007

Creative playing

CRYSTAL PORTAL MANDALA
© Sue O'Kieffe 2007

Creating this mandala was all about playtime. What inspired me was thinking about messages and language and the history that crystals hold within them about the earth. If crystals have stories to share with us, how would they look visually/graphically? Could we step through this portal to find the answer? I see the markings along the rim as encrypted messages, perhaps an invitation. What does it say to you?

I used an Arkansas crytal point as the source image for this mandala.

EARTH'S MAGIC MANDALA

In 2007 I shifted my attention to working with gems and minerals for the source images in my work. The results have gone beyond anything I could have imagined. I love how the light of the stones shines through and how the depth and mystery of earth speaks in the mandalas. If you click on this image, you can see the detail more clearly.

The source image for this mandala is amethyst from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. I am fortunate to have my friend dosmangoes donating photographs of his crystal collection for use in my artwork. There is nothing so wonderful as the energy that arises from collaboration!
© Sue O'Kieffe 2007