Why I chose the Mandala as an artistic support

I have fallen in love with the form of the circle as a structure for art.  Most paintings are done in either a rectangular or square format although there are some pretty impressive exceptions in Middle Ages art.  For example the painting by Sandro Boticelli, "Madonna of the Magnificat," was done on a circular support, 46'x46".  I remember seeing this work for the first time when studying art history in college.  Even then I was entranced by the fact that a work could be encircled rather than enclosed.

In 2009 I took the year off from painting and exhibiting, a sabbatical of sorts.  Like many artists, I felt as though there was a direction I was meant to follow but had not yet discovered.  I've been a colorist for years - nothing mild for me, my work is as bright as the paint will get [which is one of the attributes of acrylics that I like so much-they are very bright].  I also consider myself to be an abstract artist and an experimental artist.  I chose long ago to go on a differing path than my artist grandfather - he was primarily a realist.  He did explore impressionism but preferred realism.  Me? I'd rather explore the idea and the feel of an idea; I'd rather manipulate color to express an idea or feeling.

I have drawn mandalas previously, working in colored pencil.  The term mandala is from the Sanskrit meaning circle or center.  A beautiful example of a mandala in architecture is the rose window - a stained glass window in circular form as found in some cathedrals.  [Here's an example of the Southern Rose Window of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.]

Years ago I saw a movie in which some Native Americans were constructing a sandpainting.  It was being done as a huge circle.  [An example I discovered online of Navajo Sandpaintings.]  Another time I saw a documentary that included a Tibetan mandala, also painted in sand. [Here an example of sand painting as done by Tibetan Buddhists.] 

So in my year of artistic contemplation I considered three things: one) the basic structure or support for a work; two) a new abstract study and three) painting materials.  What evolved was a circular structure, a study of trees in abstract and tiny ceramic tiles as the painting medium.  I used a sketchbook and explored the idea of the tree, including a cactus tree and groves of trees.  I began to think about the idea of anchoring the roots of the tree within a circle - how would you do that? how would it look?

In my sketchbook I used crayons as an easy color medium to play with color manipulation.  Once I had over 50 sketches fully colored I began to explore painting media.  I did two designs in colored pencil.  They are like colored pencil paintings as I thoroughly saturated the color.  I did one design in acrylics.  I toyed with the thought of doing one design in watercolor...however none of these choices were expressing what was in my mind.

Then one day I thought: what if I painted these designs using tiny ceramic tiles?  I've written previously about my discovering of the tiles and the wooden circular supports.  I've completed three designs on 12" supports to date and the fourth is halfway there.  I am amazed at how awesome it is to paint with these tiles.  Their small size allows for such movement and they come in a satisfactory array of colors.

Although many cultures use the mandala to express spiritual ideas, I use the mandala to explore ideas and feelings through abstraction and color.

Comments

[Atmara]

I'm a mandala artist, too. Glad to connect with you. My FB page is http://www.facebook.com/mandalasbyatmara I also have a blog on my site called "Living the Heart's Desire". If you ever feel inspired to write something on that topic or on mandalas, I'm always looking for guest posters.
Blessings,
Atmara