I REALLY DON'T KNOW CLOUDS MANDALA

I Really Don't Know Clouds Mandala (Exploring the Mystery Series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image: thunderhead clouds

I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all
~Joni Mitchell

Breaking out of a comfort zone is a pretty good thing, even if it's hard at first dealing with resistance. Up until the past few days I have had some firmly entrenched creative rules which I stubbornly refused to break. Silly Sue. Thank goodness my sense of wonder is stronger than all my shalt nots.

There were some stunning thunderhead clouds in the sky over the weekend. I pulled over and took a few pictures. Yesterday when I was editing them, my creative voice said Do it!
How nice to know that voice is growing stronger than the voice of my ego.

The finished mandala reminds me of a cyanotype, an old fashioned printing process which you can read more about here if you are interested.

Do you have rules that beg to be broken?

(Mandala prices include shipping and handling)

Clouds Mandala

8.5"x11" $35.00 13"x19" $55.00

1.

CROW DRUMS WITH SHAMANS

Crow Drums With Shamans (Power Shield Series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image: tree branches

There was a lot of activity in those dead tree limbs. Crows cawed, flickers pecked on wood rat-a-tat-a-tat, hummingbirds flitted back and forth between them and the feeder at the house. Something about the way the morning sun shined on the naked branches caught my eye. For the longest time I just soaked it all in, wondering what would happen next. Those were precious moments, and the gifts I received when watering a friend's garden while she was on vacation.

When I created this image, the emotion that it called up in me was what I imagine finding petroglyphs or cave paintings would be like, that sense of awe and history and magic and wonder. It's not unlike how I felt observing those trees. I know everyone will have their own story when they look at this image.

Tell me what yours is.


1.

MORNING STAR MANDALA

Morning Star Mandala (Messenger Mandalas) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image: pigeon feather

I feel, I feel, I feel like a morning star ~American fok song

Pigeons have a reputation for being pests, but I love their shimmery beauty and soft, nurturing coos. Pigeons medicine is about finding your way home again, even if once you felt lost and off track.

Stars represent the Self, and the number of points in the star is significant. Alchemists believed that transformation occurred in seven stages, and Jung said the number 7 stood for the highest stage of illumination.

Stars are also a navigation aid guiding the sailor home. We all have our own internal GPS systems, if we take the time to listen and not second guess what we hear.

How do you know when you are home?

(Mandala prices include shipping and handling)

Morning Star Mandala

8.5"x11" $35.00 13"x19" $55.00

1.

FAIRY DANCE MANDALA

Fairy Dance Mandala (Awareness Mandala series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image: alyssum

People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.~Iris Murdoch

While recently photographing flowers at a friend's house, the alyssum on her porch seemed especially inviting after an early autumn sprinkling. I swear sometimes I hear flowers saying to me "Oh please take my picture." How could I resist something as sweet as that?


(Mandala prices include shipping and handling)

Fairy Dance Mandala

8.5"x11" $35.00 13"x19" $55.00

1.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MANDALA

OWNING PINK MANDALA -© Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image - coleus

To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly. ~ Henri Bergson

I created this mandala for my 58th birthday, which is August 31st. I am visioning this as a significant year as I move into creating a life for myself that I love.

Coleus is one of those plants I have loved since forever, and I am especially attracted to the bright pink throat contrasted against the dark burgundy leaf on this variety.

This is how the mandala speaks to me: Green center for growth, eight hearts in the middle for love, eight owls nestled in eight yonis representing goddess wisdom. Eight is a number of rebirth; on its side eight is the infinity symbol. As the eight spoked wheel, eight is seen as a symbol of endless change. Change is not one of those easy things, as neural pathways are rewired and the ego protests.

But change is good. I love what Pamir Kiciman tweeted on Twitter: Cooperate with what wants to emerge.

VISIONING MANDALA

Visioning Mandala (Messenger Mandala series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image-northern harrier hawk feather

When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid ~ Audre Lorde

The Northern Harrier, or Marsh Hawk, is one of my favorite raptors. I love watching it soar and glide over the marshlands and then quickly dive for some unsuspecting mouse or snake that got its attention. Hawks are an awesome example of the power of nature. When I see any of the hawks sitting on a telephone wire, highway sign, or billboard, I feel somehow like they are watching out for me too.

I was guided to use the four rayed configuration for this mandala, and I understand after completing the mandala how appropriate this choice was. Solid, bold, balanced, and complete, the four rays of the equidistant cross speak of the power of the Light and our relationship to it. According to Sayadha:

Hawk signifies union with Great Spirit. A bird of the heavens the hawk orchestrates the changes necessary for our spiritual growth. Having this totem can be bitter sweet. If we accept its presence in our life we will be asked to surrender anything that doesn't honor the integrity of all life. Be it an idea, a feeling or an action. Although hard work is involved the rewards the hawk offers us are great.

Hawk soars between heaven and earth and encourages us to live our lives with creative visionary purpose. During these remarkable times of awakening and change, having hawk's clear eyesight to assist us is a blessing.

Marsh hawk photos ©gloperflicker and greg gothard
Hawk medicine information also cited from Ted Andrews Animal Speaks pg 155

(Mandala prices include shipping and handling)

Visioning Mandala

8.5"x11" $35.00 13"x19" $55.00

1.

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW THE END OF THE STORY?

I really enjoyed reading everyone's responses to my previous blog post. A friend of mine who knows more about these things than I do told me that mushrooms were really not a true vegetable, so I'm sorry to have been misleading in my clue giving. I was playing 20 questions; I guess mushrooms are in the Fungus kingdom. (But that would have been a dead giveaway!)

Here are some of the results: a number of people said the mandala had a powerful tribal/native feel with references to both Africa ( Zimbabwe in particular) and voodoo. Others saw something bloody, meatlike, fiery, with strong snake energy. Tammy Vitale referenced Morrigan, the Celtic goddess of death and rebirth as well as Erzuli Freda, voodon goddess of love, beauty, and art. My friend Ellie saw Kachina dolls and the three phases of women. Oh yea, and a couple of people referenced chocolate (syrup, ripples and s'mores). Now Im hungry!

Mushrooms are mysterious. They are poisonous, halleucinogenic, powerful and worthy of respect. In dream symbolism, mushrooms represent unexpected growth and change. I'm pretty sure that this particular mushroom is a boletale, but Im not sure. I was attracted to the patterning of the gills on the underside of the cap when I took the photograph and was just curious how it would translate. I love it!

I have decided to call this mandala Inviting a Vision of Power Shield.

I love seeing how the collective works.

Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

(Mandala prices include shipping and handling)

Inviting a Vision of Power Shield

8.5"x11" $35.00 13"x19" $55.00

1.

I NEED YOUR HELP WITH A NAME

This image was a bit of an experiment and needs a title. Would you like to help me name it?
Oh, and what do you think the source image was? (I will reveal all in a future post)

What I liked best about creating this image was making the brush used in the patterning surrounding the mandala. Once you get the hang of it, making brushes in Photoshop is really a lot of fun. If you are interested in learning how, I found this tutorial by Veerle really helpful.

So what shall I name this?

CROW CAWS GOLD MANDALA

Crow Caws Gold Mandala - (Messenger Mandala series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image - crow feather

The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.~ Eden Phillpotts
I got really excited when I started reading about crow medicine, after I was gifted with this feather. Even at this moment while I'm writing, I can hear either a crow or raven cawing outside my window.

When I read Crow calls out that the secret magic of creation is calling in Ted Andrews' book Animal Speak, I got shivers. As I was creating this mandala, the name Crow Calls Gold came to me; but it wasn't until later, when I discovered that crows were associated with medieval alchemy, that the title made sense.

I was guided to use 10 rays for this image. When I did a little research, I discovered all sorts of things. Ten is a number associated with creation and the Universe, and also represents Divine Law. It is the end of a cycle and the beginning of another. It represents life and death. Black, the color of Crow, is the color of creation. It represents night and also the womb. Likewise, the cycle of night and day, death and rebirth are also part of crow's medicine.

Crows are intelligent, observant and aware. Though a color of the night, they are a daytime bird that remind us that the magic is everywhere, if we are open to seeing it.

When I asked what this mandala was offering, what I heard back was Honor What Is.

(You can read the story of How Sue Received Her Crow Feather and Found Her Joy at my latest blog, The Awareness Apprentice.)

ref.cit. Ted Andrews Animal Speak pgs 130-131; Riding the Beast

Heart's Shadow Mandala

Heart's Shadow (Circles of Awareness Series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image - Venus flytrap

One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious ~ C. G. Jung

Am I the only one who finds carniverous plants fascinating? Venus flytraps actually are efficient and well designed specimens. When an insect crawls on the plant and triggers hairs on the inside of the trap twice in succession, the trap closes and the bug is digested. This mechanism is an energy conserving device that keeps the plant from shutting when something like a raindrop hits its surface. (If you click on the image of the plant, you will see an itty-bitty slug crawling along the surface. I wonder if it was dinner later?)

Conserving the energy of the heart, though, is a coping mechanism that leaves us malnourished. How many of us go through life holding onto the events from our past that certainly influenced our development but really have nothing to do with who we are?

I am learning that by loving and forgiving those shadows of my past and let them go, the more I am able to love, stay open and become the person I was born to be. I will be bringing this darkness conscious for the rest of my earthbound life. It is so worth it.

How about you?

Peace Mandala

8.5"x11" $35.00 13"x19" $55.00

1.

SWAN SINGS SHINE MANDALA

Swan Sings Shine Mandala (Messenger Mandala Series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image - swan feather

And we all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun - John Lennon

I have been asking people to send me feathers, because I love using them for mandala making. My friend Doreen of Mandala's Message was gracious enough to send me some swan feathers from her buddies who swim on Silver Lake in upstate New York. Working with a white feather was challenging, and Im pleased with the results.

My intuition guided me to use nine rays for this mandala, though the apparent divisions are more subtle than usual in this piece. I used three mandalas of three layered one upon each other with varying degrees of opacity and rotated at different angles. Just now as I reached for one of my books about symbolism, I opened right to the page about the meaning of nine. Nine expresses mysterious realities of human existence. We are creatures of different levels. We are physical beings who think and have souls. Nine in our mandalas may suggest...that we live a more complete existence when we integrate all three. (Susanne Fincher, Creating Mandalas, p. 107)

Swans are a symbol of grace and they are also very powerful. They have the ability to break a man's arm with the beat of their wings. When I began reading about swan totem medicine, I realized they were not only a lovely symbol of transformation (the ugly duckling becomes the beautiful swan), but that they also taught us about recognizing our own inner beauty and power. In his book Animal Speak Ted Andrews speaks about the swan's graceful neck.

The neck is a bridge area between the head (higher realms) and the body (lower worlds)...as you begin to realize your own true beauty, you unfold the ability to bridge to new realms and new powers. This ability to awaken to the inner beauty and bridge it to the outer world is part of what swan medicine can teach. It can show how to see the inner beauty in ourselves and others, regardless of outer appearances. (p.195)

When I asked the mandala what its message was, it sang back to me "Shine"

Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

Swan Sings Shine

8.5"x11" $35.00 13"x19" $55.00

1.

HEART BREATH MANDALA

Heart Breath Mandala (Circles of Awareness Series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image: unidentified mint

Find patience in the breath of life - Ryunosuke Satoro

I imagine the seven beings who appeared in this mandala as breathing love into the heart center. That was the information I received as I asked for the message the mandala had to offer. I took some deep breaths and felt better immediately. After a somewhat gunky week, it was a deep blessing.

What a gentle reminder to remember that our ability to feel better and be uplifted is only a breath away.

Heart Breath Mandala

8.5"x11" $35.00 13"x19" $55.00

1.

LOVELY BLOG AWARD

I love receiving blog awards and I love giving them out as well. I think as creatives, it is important to give our peers recognition. It sure felt good when Charms of Light passed this award on to me. I do feel appreciated. It is so nice.

So.... for the rules:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.

2. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you love and/or have newly discovered.

3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

4. Use the One Lovely Blog award picture from my blog, on your blog to let everyone know that you have one lovely Blog!

Well now, here are the blogs I choose. I know there aren't 15 of them, but they are quality!

Stacy Wills
Art of Ann Christine
Art and Tea
Kate Jobe
Artful Eye
John Mora
Creative Every Day
The Havens
The Color Goddess
Mandala's Message

HOW TO ORDER MY SACRED MANDALA ART

Peace Mandala (Circles of Awareness Series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image: wild onions

Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. ~Unknown

-----------------------
I am so excited to finally be able to offer you my mandala art prints at an affordable price. It is my desire to have my uplifting, inspiring art be as accessible as possible for those who are drawn to it.

Mandala prints come in two sizes (7.5x7.5printed on 8.5x11" and 12x12 printed on 13x19" paper), and are printed on archival matte paper using archival ink. Each print comes with a story about the mandala and the source image used in its creation.

Prices for the prints are for U.S. only and include shipping and handling. Shipment is by US Postal Service. If you live outside the U.S. ,I will need for you to contact me here for ordering information

More of my art, also available for purchase, can be seen at flickr.

I am honored to offer my art to you, to offer you the beauty and wisdom contained within these circles of nature inspired art.

Many blessings to you all.

~Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

"Peace Mandala"

8.5"x11" $35.00 13"x19" $55.00

1.

AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

When life hands us lemons, make lemonade!

I was blessed and surprised by this blog award by the charming Charms of Light, who I've gotten to know on Twitter. I love her healing gemstone jewelry. Go check it out.

Here are the rules of the award: comment on your blog; post the award logo and use it on your own blog; nominate 5 to 10 blogs you feel show great attitude and gratitude; link to your nominees within your blog post; comment on their blogs to let them know they received the award; link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation.

Here are my nominees:

Diane Clancy
Victoria Ryan
Cheryl Finley of Mandala Oasis
Connie Rose
Nine Tomatoes

I am so grateful for all of you in my world.

~Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

MANY BLESSINGS MANDALA

MANY BLESSINGS MANDALA (Circles of Awareness Series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image - red clover

''Let the beauty we love be what we do.'' ~ Rumi

The day I was walking along the nature trail above the Pacific Ocean, I was especially grateful to be breathing in ocean air. It had been a week of much energy shifting with the full moon, and getting out into nature was the perfect stabilizer for some of the internal changes I was experiencing. This time of year the excitement of seeing new spring flowers blooming has pretty much passed, but I enjoy experiencing the changes in the cycles of life. This day the red clover was really catching my eye. It seemed to be sending out a special vibration that I wanted to capture in mandala form.

I looked up properties of the red clover and it has many benefits from adding more nitrogen to soil to being a blood purifier and having the ability to lower blood pressure. When I look at this mandala, it seems to say to me Be light. Be happy. Keep moving. Stay grounded. Enjoy life's many blessings. Rejoice.

Many Blessings Mandala

8.5"x11" $35.00 13"x19" $55.00

1.

LETTING GO OF EXPECTATIONS

We Come From the Stars (Circles of Awareness series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image: linaria purpurea

We come spinning out of nothingness, scattering stars like dust~Rumi

I have been participating in a monthly reiju blessing since early May. According to Pamir, reiju is an offering of spiritual consciousness and energy; it's a spiritual boost, a divine blessing and transfer of spiritual/healing energy. The first two months I experienced this healing was very positive and uplifting. The other night I just could not settle down with it. My mind was racing, I was agitated and then I became more agitated because I was agitated. My monkey mind was swinging from the trees and there is really no point trying to calm or quiet the mind. There is no trying, grasshopper. And then ... some moments of calm arose and I received information on how to finish the mandala that you see here. I got the picture "use the spiral brushes that you made" and then my monkey mind got all agitated and chattery because humpf that's not the kind of information you are supposed to be receiving now Sue you are supposed to be meditating and in a state of bliss.

What a funny girl I am.

So this morning I finished the mandala and used the spiral brushes and was pleased with the outcome. When I thought about what I wanted to write about in this blog post, again my monkey mind was looking for profundity; as if even though I believe in my heart that we come from the stars, I sure can't write anything authoritative about it. And then I heard this little voice say, well why not write about your experience of creating and how you got to where you are?

I mean, aren't I the only one who can write about my own expertise with any authority?

What a concept.

So here is what I'm learning. When I think an experience is supposed to look the same way all the time, I think I can control what I am experiencing. And trying to control stuff, which is really impossible anyway, leaves me no opportunity to experience the pleasure of the moment. And the moment is really all there is.

Oh, and if you feel inclined, check out the clown-like meditating figures sitting around the edge of the circle. I knew the Great Cosmic Jester was hanging out in those flowers!

We Come from the Stars Mandala

8.5"x11" $35.00 13"x19" $55.00

AND THE WINNER IS...

First of all I want to thank everyone who entered my mandala giveaway contest. It's something that I've wanted to do for a long time.

I ran the mandala give away on both of my blogs. Any other way seemed too complicated, and I wanted to include everybody who wanted to join in. If people commented but didn't expressly say they wanted to be entered I didn't count them as an entry. If you dont ask for what you want, then how will you ever get it?

I entered everyone on an excel spreadsheet by name time and date in order to get a ranking of who entered when. Between the two blogs I had forty entries and three people asked to be added to my mailing list. Not bad.

I used random.org to pick a random number between 1 and 40. The winner of the peacock mandala "Struttin Your Stuff" goes to complicatedlight, who reads me on Xanga and told me he never wins anything. Never say never, Phil. The mandala will be flying your way within the next couple of days by express mail.

It's all good.

IT'S MAGIC MANDALA GIVE-AWAY TIME

Summer Magic Mandala (Mandalas for Peace series) @Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image: daylily

There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart. ~Celia Thaxter


I have wanted to do an art giveaway on my blog for the longest time, and I decided the first day of summer, when the day is brightest and the night is shortest, was the perfect time to do it! (As you know by now, for me it's all about the Light) Of course, for those of you in the Southern Hemisphere, you are now entering into the darkness and mystery of winter. I love that too. So it would seem now is the perfect time, wherever we reside.

(click on image for better details)

The winner will receive his/her choice of one of these 7.5"x7.5" mandalas, which is suitable for framing and printed on archival matte paper using archival ink. Along with the mandala, the winner will also receive an inspirational story about the mandala and a photo of the source image I used to create it. To be eligible for the drawing, this is what you need to do:

1. Leave a comment in the post that you wish to be entered in the give-away
2. Email me here if you wish to be added to my newsletter mailing list. Periodically I will be offering discounts on my art that will only be available to my newsletter subscribers. (Of course, be assured that I will never sell or giveaway my mailing list. Your privacy is safe with me)
   
3. The give-away will be open until July 1st, at which time I will use random.org to select a winner.
4. Unfortunately, at this time, the contest is only open to people in the United States. I hope in the future to extend my give-aways to my international friends. That will be so cool!
5. You are under no obligation to be part of my mailing list to enter the give-away.

Update: I do want to disclose that this give-away is also occuring at my other blog on xanga. I will determine the order of who entered when by date time and date stamp on both blogs. Also, please subscribe to the replies on this blog posting if you don't have any other way for me to contact you, if you should happen to win the drawing!

If you have a blog and feel so inclined, please help me spread the love with a little mention on your site of what I am doing here.

I so love seeing the beginnings of living my dream as a self-sustaining artist starting to take shape, and I love that all of you are part of my dream as well.

Brightest blessings!

~Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

1.

STRUTTING YOUR STUFF

Strutting Your Stuff Mandala (Mandalas for Peace series) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image - peacock feather

I have been looking for peacock feathers for almost three years. I wanted feathers straight from the bird instead of ones that had been handled and processed and had who-knows-what-done to them. I love the story of how the feathers I used for this mandala flew into my life.

I was recently introduced to pediatric physical therapist Jackie Mast, who is joining with Icelandic physiotherapist Anna Katrin Ottesen to put on an international conference Called Healing the Healers in October '09 in Reykjavik, Iceland. I have decided to enter one of my mandalas in their silent art auction that helps raise funds for the healers to come to the conference. During our correspondence Jackie and I shared our mutual love for feathers; Jackie shared with me she had collected peacock feathers when she lived in central California. A few days later I got an email from Jackie asking if she could mail some feathers to me, and voila! here we are.

There is so much I loved about creating this piece. I have been learning how to make Photoshop brushes, a technique that takes a little bit of practice. Veerle has a great tutorial explaining the process. I created all of the brushes I used in this mandala piece for adding the extra texture around the image, and I must say I'm mighty proud of what I have accomplished. When I researched information about peacock medicine, this is what I found:

The peacock reminds us to see the beauty in all aspects of life. Its eerie call sounds similar to a laughing screech and reminds us to laugh with life and not take things so seriously. As it presents itself with confidence and awes us with its beauty it teaches us how to keep the ego under control and to set all vanity aside...By observing the peacock we can learn to strut our stuff with dignity and grace. ~Sayahda

Going further, I learned that the number 5, ruled by Mercury, is a dynamic number that signifies change. Lots of that change stuff going on here as well. In the next few days I will tell you more. It's all good.

~Sue O'Kieffe




1.

LIVING A PEACEFUL LIFE

Revitalizing Mandala (Mandalas for Peace Project) © Sue O'Kieffe 2009
source image: salal

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

I had the pleasure recently of exploring a part of the North Coast of California that I'd never really visited before. I'm not sure how far my friend and I walked to reach Elk's Head, but along the way we actually saw plants new to both of us. Times like that are really a delight. When we reached our destination, we got out our drums and played to the ocean for about 30 minutes. It raised my energy levels, and I have to believe the sea lions, pelicans, gulls, and oyster catchers that were all nearby enjoyed it too.

Salal, however, is well known to me. It grows in abundance up and down the west coast. This is another shrub that has a fairylike quality. The flowers remind me of little bells and I will tell you the bees just love them. It made me really happy to see those buzzers gathering up pollen and flying away happy drunk on nectar.

The mandala that I made using the top photograph as source image feels a little dreamy and romantic on the one hand, yet the vibrant lime green background has a revitalizing quality. The 6-rayed mandala is also one of my favorite formations. The number 6 has a vibration of equilibrium and completion, of creativity, beauty, the union of sexual opposites.The Pythagoreans referred to 6 as "the Mother," the Chinese endow the number 6 with the passive receptive qualities of yin (cit. Susanne Fincher Creating Mandalas). For myself, the 6 rayed mandala just makes me go ahhhhhh.

Those ahhh moments speak to me of a peaceful life, open and loving, vibrant, rich, juicy, sustaining, expanding, heartfelt and sharing. This is what I want for myself. This is what I envision for others.

When do you feel the most peaceful inside? What do you feel looking at this mandala? I would love to hear your answers to both questions.

Namaste.

~Sue O'Kieffe
Sacred Circle Mandalas

1.

NOBLESSE OBLIGE AWARD

I met Victoria Ryan 2 years ago when I was involved with the local SBDC's Artists in Flight program. At that time I discovered she was a wealth of information regarding art marketing. I also found out she was honest and forthcoming in her views. I just love people who don't mess around. And besides that, her pastel paintings are to die for. Wouldn't you love to have one of her paintings in your home? How hard would it be to look at this all day?
Garden Meditation ©Victoria Ryan 2009

Now she and I are meeting up again in the blogosphere. We have been trading skills as I forge ahead with my art business and I try to help her learn about social media 2.0. It was such a happy surprise when Victoria honored me with this Noblesse Oblige Award for blogging.


The Noblesse Oblige Award is given for the following accomplishments:

1.The blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances of different cultures and beliefs.
2. The blog inspires, strives to encourage and offer solutions.
3. There is a clear purpose at the blog and it is one that fosters a better understanding of social science, politics, economics, the arts, culture, science or belief.
4. The blog is refreshing and creative.
5. The blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.

The rules are as follows:

1. Create a post with a mention and a link to the blogger who presented the award to you.
2. Display the award conditions.
3. Write a short post about what your blog has thus far achieved.
4. The blogger must present the award to blogs in concurrence with the award conditions.
5. The blogger can display the award at any location on their blog.

It has been a pleasure for me to work with my blog and display my art here because I know that my art inspires and has meaning for so many people. This is satisfying to me as an artist to know that the heart has been touched, opened and has received the beauty I strive to portray in my mandalas; it is far beyond anything I might have once believed I could achieve.

It is with great pleasure that I pass this award on to Laura Bly, a transitions strategist I met on Twitter, who helps women (that would include me!) through the internal experience of the transition period to success and your authentic self!

1.