To Inspire, Transform & Heal

Linda Wiggen Kraft
Creativity for the Soul

Mandala Coloring & Sharing

Mandalas and meditation were shared during my last mandala circle at my home studio. The circle of sharing also goes out into the world and comes back via the internet. Here are some shared mandalas created from near and far.

SHARING FROM NEAR

mandala-coloring-spiral-karen-blog-creativity-for-the-soul-blogAt the last mandala circle, I lead a guided meditation with the theme “the quiet and mystery of winter, turning within”. Karen Martinez created this mandala above inspired by the meditation.

 

 

mandala-coloring-stamp-karen-blog-creativity-for-the-soul-blogKaren also created a collage of winter with stamped and punched out images on black paper. She added her own inspirations and words of wisdom in white.

Coloring books are all the rage for adults and children. Mandalas are a favorite. At this same mandala circle recently we played with watercolors and oil pastels on images from my mandala coloring book and more.

mandala-coloring-diana-blog-creativity-for-the-soul-blogI showed everyone how to use oil pastels to outline certain areas to create an enclosure where watercolor can go crazy without the worry of it spilling over into other areas.  Diana Dickes created the mandala above with a beautiful colors flowing together.

 

mandala-coloring-stars-diana-blog-creativity-for-the-soul-blogDiana also created her own mandala design with oil pastels and watercolor.

 

 

mandala-coloring-ann-blog-creativity-for-the-soul-blogAnn Brune’s serene blues and greens with small white dots always create a sense of calm from her mandalas.

 

 

mandala-coloring-circles-ann-blog-creativity-for-the-soul-blogAnn’s green, yellow and blues float inside her mandala.

 

SHARING FROM AFAR
My joy is sharing the power and inspiration of mandalas. I never know how far this blog reaches. At times I receive beautiful deep expressions of soul from afar. Recently Karin Hanson shared this most powerful mandala which she created right after her mother passed on.

I don’t know what the images means to her, but I see a leaf in the center of a cocoon. It brings thoughts of growing life and transformation.

mandala-karin-hanson-blog-creativity-for-the-soul-blog

MY OWN SHARING
In my mandala circles and workshops, I am as much a participant and journeyer through the shared creative community as everyone else.  Here are the mandalas I created at the  mandala circle and an explanation of the process of watercolor and oil pastel coloring.

 

mandala-coloring-1-blog-creativity-for-the-soul-blog I always disliked having to stay “in the lines” of coloring books.  This is a way to easily honor the lines but get somewhat wilder with the watercolors. Also it is much faster than coloring in with colored pencils, which is the main way people “color”.   Oil pastels are just that – oil.  Watercolors are just that – water with pigment.  They don’t mix.

mandala-coloring-2-blog-creativity-for-the-soul-blogAreas outlined with oil pastels won’t let water in. By creating enclosed areas, watercolors can be mixed and contained without bleeding into other areas. All the colored lines above are made with oil pastels.

 

 

mandala-coloring-3-blog-creativity-for-the-soul-blogWatercolors can be easily brushed into the enclosed areas. Watercolor droplets sometimes float on the oil pastel surface.  There are small droplets of purple on the yellow. They will dry and stay there if not wiped off. I like the effect.

mandala-coloring-A-blog-creativity-for-the-soul-blogDifferent watercolors can be be blended depending on the wetness of the paper.  Red and yellow were blended in the larger areas.

 

 

mandala-coloring-4-blog-creativity-for-the-soul-blog The outside of the mandala circle is oil pastel, a background can be painted around the mandala without bleeding into it.
Because water wrinkles the paper when using watercolors, the edges will be wavy. If you want to flatten the paper it can be done. Once the paper is dry, the back of the paper can be lightly sprayed with water. The page can be put inside two white sheets of paper and covered with heavy books.  The paper will dry flat.

 

 

mandala-coloring-6-blog-creativity-for-the-soul-blogThis mandala is from my coloring book. It speaks to me of journey and birth.  The spiral is a symbol of journey, both within and without.  The almond shape  is the symbol of birth. I like to think that each time a person journeys to their creative soul, a birthing of  true creative self takes place.

 

 

mandala-coloring-5-blog-creativity-for-the-soul-blogPlease let your journey within to your creative soul bring the essence of your true self into the world.

ENJOY & CREATE

Linda

Note about Mandala Workshop – My 2016 spring one-day “Mandalas, Meditation & Journaling” workshop date has been changed from March to April 16th.

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