Saturday, June 30, 2012

CREATING A MANDALA, Part 5

The mandala is progressing as colors are added and the design is enhanced.

      


Below is the Part 4 stage to compare with it.

Look at the obvious changes then tune into the details and subtle changes.

More to come.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Dare To Be Creative

After talking to people who are drawn to these mandalas here or find them interesting, I have discovered that often they feel intimidated, hesitant to take the workshop and actually make their own mandalas.  They just don't think they can do it.  They don't think they are capable.

"The notion that some people
are artists and creative
and some aren't
is a Big Fat Lie!"

It's important, in order to grow as a human being, we need to work at clearing inhibitions and moved outside of your comfort zone.  It always pays off when you feel the fear and do it any way, especially if you feel it in your heart, that nudge, that inexplicable pull toward something you may not understand yet.

DO WHAT SCARES YOU!

To help those of you who are on the edge of deciding to take the workshop, I am offering  Dare To Be Creative Workshop -- which can be used as a prequel to the Mandala Workshop.  This class will help you feel more confident in your ability to create.

Even if you have no interest in making your own mandalas, this workshop is worth considering.  Here is a description of it and where it is scheduled to be held next . . .




DARE TO BE CREATIVE Workshop

A workshop for those who are curious about
the creative process and how to use it.

Do you have a desire to work with your creative abilities?
You don’t have to be an “artist” to be creative.
Even if you think you haven’t a creative bone in your body,
after attending this workshop, you will think differently.
In fact, this workshop’s intent is to put you at ease
and build confidence around the idea of creating.

We will look at how to find your own process to tap into
and incorporate it in your daily life.
As we explore the concept of creativity,
information is balanced with exercises
to help put what is presented into action
and see how it works for you.

Whether you’re looking to reconnect,
enhance or discover your creative abilities,
there is something for each in this workshop.
Coax your inner spark to come out and shine.


Join us  ...

DATE:  Saturday, May 26, 2012
TIME:  Noon - 3pm
COST:  $50.00 (materials included)
LOCATION & REGISTRATION: 
The Hummingbird and the Honey Bee
1414 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.  Suite 103
Thousand Oaks, CA  91362
(805)  495 5824


Friday, March 23, 2012

CREATING A MANDALA, Part 4

The coloring process has begun. 

When I first starting making these mandalas, I was able to complete the coloring in just a couple of sessions. 
I now find that I enjoy taking my time and moving more slowly and intuitively which gives more detailed results. 

It is my observation that when I first start making mandalas, I was so exciting with the results that I went through the process more quickly.  But as I gained understanding and experience in making them, I was able to slow down and get more into the process of creating it and concentrate less on the final outcome.   

Take a look at how this mandala
is beginning to tranform through color.

Monday, March 19, 2012

TWO PART WORKSHOP in APRIL / MAY 2012

We are happy to let you know,
another workshop has been scheduled
at the wonderful Hummingbird and the Honey Bee Bookshop
in Thousand Oaks, California. 

When you walk into their shop,
you are greeting with a energy that is both lively and calming.  There is much to look at as their displays of books, products,
 cards, jewelry and so much more 
are beautifully displayed and inviting to purchase.

And I am fortunate enough to be able to offer my workshop
in one of their private meeting rooms.  
It will be two days of learning, playing, sharing, and expanding
your world in a safe, fun and productive environment.



Here are the specifics:

Our workshop is set up in two sessions
with homework to complete and use in the second session. 
These sessions are four hours each with a short break in the middle.  
At that time a little snack is offered to tide you over to the end of class. 
Eating a good breakfast is recommended before coming to class
to help your energy and focus levels. 
We will be covering a lot of information 
so exercises are given at the end of each section
to help you apply what was just talked about and ask questions. 
This will help build your understanding and confidence 
for when you make the larger mandala (12" X 12")
and your homework assignment. 

When you register for the workshop,
you will be forwarded a short and simple exercise to do
prior to the first session in preparation of the workshop.

 If you have any questions regarding any aspect of the workshop,
please do not hesitate to contact me --

DATES:  Saturday April 28th and May 5th, 2012

TIME:  10:30am - 2:30pm

LOCATION and REGISTRATION: 
The Hummingbird & The Honey Bee
ADDRESS:  1414 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite 103
Thousand Oaks, CA  91362
805 495 5824


MATERIALS FEE:  
covers all supplies needed for both sessions and homework
as well as future use

Looking forward to sharing lots of great
and interesting information about mandalas
that could possibly change your life!

Friday, January 27, 2012

7 VALUABLE REASONS TO ATTEND OUR WORKSHOP

1)       STRUCTURE OF THE WORKSHOP – you are given a large amount of information in a step by step progression, each piece of information builds upon the next to ensure the information will be retained in an optimum way
 2)      CREATE MORE THAN ONE THROUGHOUT the WORKSHOP – you will be designing several mandalas using different techniques and materials so that you can get a more rounded experience in making them before moving on to making the size displayed here (12” X 12”)
 3)      INTIMATE ENVIRONMENT – the workshop is intentionally small to provide a safe, intimate environment to learn and share with other participants and get personalized attention
 4)      INTERACTIVE EXERCISES – with each section of the workshop, you will apply the principles in exercises to make sure you have an understanding of the material presented
 5)      MORE THAN ONE PERSPECTIVE – this workshop draws on a variety of resources so you will be given different points of view about mandalas to consider

6)      IN-PERSON, COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT –  unlike webinars and teleseminars, this is an in-person workshop where you will be interacting with the facilitator and the other participants throughout and given lots of visuals and tangible materials to utilize throughout the workshop and to take home for future use.  All your senses will be used during the course of the workshop

7)      YOUR REWARD – a comprehensive introduction to the various types of mandalas, the cultures they come from, how they can be used, personal experience in making them and sharing your experience with others as well as hearing other views on their results to offer a wider understanding on how mandalas effect people in their own personal way.  
            And last but not least by any means, the actual experience you will have in
            creating your own personal healing mandala that holds meaning for you alone. 
            It is an amazing transformation in watching yourself start with a blank paper and
            develop a design of where you are in your life, then learn how to read into this
            design and understand yourself in ways you may not have realized.  To see the
            finished product, you will find it truly inspiring that it was of your own creation. 
            Then to know how to use your creation in your daily life to enhance and provide
            a focal point to guide you in the future.

Even if you choose not to make another mandala again after this class, what you’ve learned will stay with you and can be of service when you are in need of answers, often when you least expect it.

I have spent five years researching a variety of other mandala workshops offered and chose to go into a different direction than the others.  In studying their class schedules, I found some to be an overwhelming amount of information in a concentrated amount of time (2 day weekend workshop), making it difficult to retain what information has been given.  Or, spread out over several weeks in a shorter time frame, often at the end of the day when you are tired.  Comprehension is limited due to the shorter class time, diluting information in bite size pieces and spread out makes a bit of a disconnection from the materials previously covered and does not allow for time to be able to apply what is covered in that session.

This workshop is broken down into what I believe to be a more effective and valuable setting taking in consideration the time of day, ability to retain information without overloading you all at once and giving you an active part in the process.  It begins with four intense hours of building the information in a step by step process with exercises to apply what was just learned.  Then given a homework assignment, allowing what was uncovered in the first session to marinate and provide insight for the completion of the homework.  Then to return the following week with a solid foundation of knowledge, experience and insight to again spend four more intense hours sharing your viewpoint, listen to and see others results, and discover how this information personally benefits you in numerous ways both now and in the future.
  

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

CREATING A MANDALA, Part 3

So far you have seen the blank template
and the initial design of the mandala. 
Worked on it again today.
Did some finishing touches and
can visualize where certain colors may go.

In the meantime it will be displayed as is
in a place where I will see it
when I wake up each morning and go to bed each night.
When it's time, I will begin the coloring process.

Here are the 4 directions to view the current design. 
Which one resonates with you?
 
 
Won't know how it will end up until the mandala is completed.

Stay tuned.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

MANDALA of the DAY series begins

Mandalas are everywhere in the every day objects we take for granted. 
From time to time I will feature a Mandala of the Day.

Today's MANDALA OF THE DAY  ~~
THE DINNER PLATE
Initially, the plate is like the mandala template here ---circular, with the center point marked.

How you decorate your plate with food creates the design,
just as the mandala design shown here --
The difference between the mandala shown above
and your dinner plate mandala
is that the design and colors are applied at the same time
to the plate while the design and color are applied
separately to the mandala.

When color is added to the design,
a type of healing energy will resonate as you observe it.

With the colors of the foods added to the plate,
you are creating a type of healing mandala in 2 ways . . .
1)  the plating of the food with each type of food's color and
 as an overall design
2)  the actual nutritional value the food itself offers
and how it will benefit your health in a more literal sense.

Some mandalas are made to serve a purpose for a time period.
As carefully as the design is constructed,
it is then deconstructed.

Again, with the dinner plate, you go through similar steps.
1)  the plate itself as a template
2) adding food to the plate creating a design with color
3)  significance of design and color figuratively
4)  significance of color/nutritional value of food, literally
5)  the deconstruction of the design changes the design
until once again the plate is empty/blank.
6)  The outer appearance of the food and the inner benefits from consuming it.

I bet you will look at a plate of food differently from now on.

Addendum to the Dinner Plate . . .
I have always seen chefs as artists.
The way they plate the food, the colors of the food
and how they complement / contrast in the design.
Then of course, the taste is important as well.
But if you ever listen to chefs,
they know that we eat with our eyes first
and that is why to them,
how they present their dishes is just as important
as how they taste.

There is nothing like a beautiful plate of food
to increase the pleasure of the meal.

 

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

New Workshop Dates

New Workshop dates have been scheduled. 

You can create your own mandala like this one here,
but your own personal mandala unique to you.


This intensive workshop takes you step by step,
learning then applying the information given, one step building on the next.  
By the end of the second session you will not only know how to create mandalas,
you will have a broad understanding on the many uses,
how to interpret and color them as well as how to incorporate yours into your daily life. 
You will be amazed at how the process evolves into your own beautiful mandala.

LOCATION & REGISTRATION:  The Hummingbird and the Honey Bee
1414 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Suite 103
Thousand Oaks, CA  91362
805 495 5824

DATES & TIMES: 
SESSION ONE:  Saturday, February 4, 2012 - 10:30am - 2:30pm
Homework Assignment
SESSION TWO:  Saturday, February 11, 2012  -  1 - 5pm

Registration is directly through The Hummingbird and the Honey Bee

General information on the workshop can be found at our website:
If you have questions, email us at:  contactus@paperarchitect.com

This workshop is full of information, examples, excercises to apply what was covered
and hands on experiences that will broaden not only your awareness about mandalas
and surrounding subjects but a better understanding about yourself.