Sunday, January 27, 2008

January Mandala



I'm so pleased to have completed my January piece on time even though I have cut it kinda close. The mandala theme was perfect for me this month; it gave me a chance to settle into myself and settle back into art. I started my piece late yestereday evening and found myself still up working on it as midnight approached, I was totally "in the flow". I finished it this morning and have my February board gessoed and ready for Red.


The base is a thin piece of particle board, a recycled game board. After several coats of gesso, I drew out a mandala design, cut and pasted papers to fill in all the little sections, did multiple coats of gel medium, than begin the painting process. The last stop was painting the piece with encaustic. The colorways are subtle with splashes of brightness, not the pallet I usually choose, but it feels right.


All of the artwork in the project posted to date is so beautiful and diverse, I can't wait to see more, more, more!!!


katie

9 comments:

Laurie Mika said...

Yeah, Katie! Your Mandala is beautiful, the colors are sumptuous and rich. When I first looked at it, I thought of Circus...but then I see gears and it reminds me of the insides of a clock. So glad you are in a creative frenzy...perfect for tackling Red! xoxoxo

HappyDayArt! said...

This is very cool Katie. To me it looks like an impact explosion with some liquid pouring out of it. It's great how dark it is and also has some gold and red colors in it to lead your eyes around. And I LOVE the initial "C" at the top!

Catherine

lklight said...

Beautiful Katie!
Seeing this made me smile, I've been so sick all week, think I have pneumonia & it's the first time I've smiled all week.
This is so fun, it's like opening up a new present every few days.

Laurie Mika said...

Dear Leighanna,
Hope you are feeling better soon....make sure you take care of yourself, esp. if it is pneumonia. You are so right, I love coming here and peeking to see if there are any new "presents" posted! Too fun....
Do take care,
Laurie

Kel said...

Oh my goodness, I didn't realise how many people from my 'artists I admire' list where in this group. Having looked at the gorgeous art, I have to add the others too!

juliaD said...

Hello Katie,

I just love your work!!!

Cant see how you got the water splash to look so glass like??/
Wonderful!!!
I have you listed on my Blog now for some time, as I enjoy looking at your words and Art regularly...

Would love to get in on some of the challenges maybe you could suggest some for me?

Julia Rose

Anonymous said...

Katie katie katie....again, your work is astounding. Just gorgeous....must have something to do with originating in that gorgeous aura of yours. :)

Judy Wise said...

I love the depth and mystery surrounding this piece. It reminds me of the cosmos; all lights and color and wonder. I can look and look at it.

katie said...

thanks for all your comments about this piece.

leighanna, i hope you're feeling better now. my youngest daughter has this horrible respiratory flu right now too. take good care of yourself.

juliarose, thanks for your kind words. the watery look of the piece is created through multiple layers of clear mediums and the encaustic top coat. As far as challenges go, why don't you join us each month as we work on a theme for our eight by eights. we'd love to inspire others to join in on these challenges; leave us a comment here on this blog so we can go to your blog and see your finished work. February's theme is Red...