063008 And this is my Reality. Elemental Mandala Doodle

I've been getting a lot of questions lately about my mandalas. People asking what they signify, and if they are used for meditation purposes.

I once saw a hand-drawn mandala on Flickr, and it was described as a "Meditation Mandala." It was created in one sitting as a form of meditation. Since I generally have a hard time turning my mind off, I was quite intrigued with the concept, and started drawing mandalas from that point forward. Using markers, watercolor paints, fountain pens and ink, pens, pencils, pretty much anything I can get my hands on.

I usually create them in about an hour - such as this one. It's about 5x7 in size, and was done on Fabriano Hot Press Watercolor paper. I started to draw it with a Lamy Safari fountain pen filled with Private Reserve Burgundy Mist ink. I then grabbed a Niji Waterbrush, and painted the border a reddish brown. I accidentally got some of the ink lines wet, and I realized that I could use this to my advantage. All of the pink(ish) color you see was created by running the wet brush against the ink lines. I did a bit of outlining with a Pitt Artist pen, then went outside for a smoke.

As I was sitting there with the painting in my hand, a cool summer's night breeze blowing across the porch - it made me remember that the only thing in life I am absolutely sure of is the earth and it's elements.

"I may not know much and there might be many things I'm uncertain of, but the one thing I know for sure is that the elements exist. Fire, Air, Water and Earth. Nothing exists without them. I exist because of these things and to dent them is to deny your own existence. The sound of the wind, the warmth of a fire, cool ocean water lapping at your feet- these things I am certain exist. Not only in my mind but they are a part of me. I may never understand anything in my lifetime but this. And this is my reality." SMS 06/30/08