Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Sacred Geometry Chakra Mandala...and a Blog Hop Too!

One of the first things I thought of when I unwrapped my package of Artistcellar Sacred Geometry 2 Stencils was—wow, these would make great mandalas! A few years ago I did “lunch time mandalas” where I took a CD, traced around it with a pencil, and filled in the circle with color and shapes. Some of the designs became fabric, which I used in art quilts, and some were used for other fiber art creations.

I experimented with all four Sacred Geometry stencils in my journal, trying soft inks, graphic black on white, assorted colored markers, and white inks on red paper. I tried them with acrylic paint beautiful scrapbooking paper, and on thin deli paper. The results were good, but not inspired.
Then I noticed a pretty piece of paper that had been hanging around my art bin for a while. I had painted some watercolor paper a soft pink, and then printed a circle texture over it using white printmaking paint and bubble wrap.
I liked it, but didn’t know what to do next. It sat in the box for about a year. Inspired by the Sacred Geometry 2 stencils, I decided to try using a round, flat stencil brush, and pounced my favorite shade of turquoise (I mixed white acrylic with turquoise Dina Wakley acrylic) through a sacred geometry stencil. It looked pretty good, but I put it to the side to dry and thought “what next?”

I used the same turquoise shade and printed several stencils on white cardstock. I was wishing that the stencils had a positive/negative image, but since they didn't, I flipped the wet stencils over and used them to get the opposite image, carefully pressing the wet stencil down on the paper with a paper towel.

I got a little creatively reckless and began overprinting stenciled images with different colors, and then I got even more reckless and began printing one stencil over another. I ended up with a whole bunch of multicolored pastel prints.

I also incorporated my Artistcellar mini chakra pocket stencils here and there. Again I thought “what next?”



The lightbulb went off in my head, and I realized two things: the mini chakras could go in a circle on top of the pink and aqua bubble wrap/stenciled paper, so I carefully used a blue mini ink pad to apply color through each small stencil. I did not measure, I just “eyeballed” the placement of the chakra stencils.

I decided that the multi-colored/multi-stenciled paper prints would make a good background. For many years I sewed and made art quilts, so cutting the paper into 3” squares seemed like a natural next step. I pulled out my green cutting mat, ancient long metal ruler (that I purchased in 1978!) and an exacto knife, then sliced the multicolored printed papers up carefully.
This paper print uses most of the set of 4 Sacred Geometry 2 stencils,
as well as the Chakra pocket stencils.

The sliced printed paper using multicolor prints of
Sacred Geometry 2 with Chakra pocket stencils.


I chose the squares I liked best, arranged them as a border, alternating lights and darks and varying the color, then carefully taped them together on the back.

Before adhering the center piece to the border, I “aged” the edges using a combination of sepia Adirondack ink and a brown chalk ink. The 12” x 12” piece is currently hanging on my living room wall, above my art table, and it is a constant reminder to me to remember to regularly slow down, breathe, meditate, and rest.

Here's the really cool thing: if you leave a comment on this page of my blog, you might just win a free set of stencils. All you have to do is leave your name and a comment. Easy peasy!

And please visit all the other artists who are part of the Artistcellar Blog Hop celebrating the release of their new stencil series: Sacred Geometry 2. You can leave a comment on their blogs for a chance to win the free stencils...plus, they are all awesome artists and worth a looksee.


February 29th - Lisa Cousineau/Artistcellar
artistcellar.com/blogs/news
 March 1st - Stephanie Gagos

http://www.stephaniegagos.com/blog/ 
March 2nd - Lisa Chin

 March 3rd - me!
March 4th - Sarah Trumpp
March 5th - Effy Wild
March 6th - Guadalupe Brizuela Cabal



41 comments:

Dee Spillane said...

Love these stencils. This hop is generating so many ideas. Thank you for sharing yours.

sonja said...

congrats on your art hop!!! got inkagold at last. any tuts to refer me to as i am mostly a material girl! good arts to you MZ Edz, sonja

Suztats said...

I'd love to play with these new stencils! My DSIL is really into Sacred Geometry, so I would use these to make something special for him. Loved your take on this.

Lissa said...

These stencils, with your creative mind........FANTASTIC. lissag123@verizon.net

Tarnished Rose said...

Love your project!
Marilyn

fairyrocks said...

Linda, I would say you lit up the entire Studio with this creative use of the stencils. I love the delicate lines and wide open spaces to create with. Often the stencil takes over the background. Keep smiling and creating. Pam C from paper traders, aka fairyrocks.blospot.com

Teresa Arsenault said...

Your mandalas are gorgeous. These stencils rock!

Aimeslee Winans said...

Linda, I love the colors you chose and the layering you did. That 12x12 is gorgeous and Lisa's stencils are always stellar! Good job! xoxo, Aimeslee

Unknown said...

I like the colors you used.

Angela said...

I enjoyed following your process!

sonja said...

i love the paper quilt you created with Chakra stencils used,this is so Linda!

Julia said...

Love this piece, great mandala inspiration! Thanks for sharing and the chance to win a set.

Christy said...

I love that you were reckless in your creating -- and to see how it turned out so lovely! Of course, I hope to win! Thank you!

Jean said...

Such beautiful works with this stencil!!

Unknown said...

I Want These Stencils!!!!!! These geometric stencils are so incredible. I love the way you layered them in different colors and created a sheet that you then cut up into smaller pieces. So many fabulous possibilities!!!!!!!

Laurey said...

So wonderful! Thank you for sharing your play!

suzieq23 said...

I love what you created with these new stencils. They are so cool, but I am going to pick a fave of Seed of Life. I can picture some great art pieces using this stencil.
suzschultz23(at)aoldot)com

artbeckons said...

These stencils are awesome and I love how you used them!

Jo Murray said...

Hi Linda...so good to have found your blog. Awesome work! LOVE your fabric printing. You certainly have used those stencils well.

Jody said...

I like the way you used these stencils. I am definitely going to have to order these.

Shay Stone said...

Lovely work! I'm really enjoying how differently you are each creating with these!

Nadya said...

It's so fun to see the different uses of these stencils, I love your quilting inspired combo, and use of the chakra set as well!
I'd love a set of my own to play with!
happy paint party Friday!
http://dia-creationstation.Blogspot.com

Debbie Corke said...

Love the process and the colours - good to see how others work through ideas to come up with a wonderful piece.

Kelly said...

Great use of these stencils! Thank you for the chance to win!

Corie said...

What fun to see them in all of those colors!

OracleGaia said...

What a bunch of awesome ideas you have given me. Love these stencils, thank you so much for the chance to win some. Just in case I am lucky enough to win, here is my email: blue.dragon.gaia@gmail.com

christine o said...

Inspired and refreshing

Margie said...

Hi Linda, popped over from Paper Traders to see your fab work with the stencils. Enjoyed the journey through your work. Margie

Unknown said...

These are all beautiful. I am loving this hop and everyone's techniques.

Unknown said...

So many ideas, very cool. love love them all.
I would love to win a set, chakra nothing more to say lol
Thank you for the opp to win
Good luck everyone.

JazzyJane said...

Loved reading how you arted your way to a beautiful project. Looks wonderful. Am so anxious to get a set of these and find my muse too. Thanks for all the great inspiration.

Lorraine said...

Love the stencils and I love what you did with them! I love your colors!! Thanks for the opportunity to win a set of these very cool stencils!

Betty Perry said...

Thanks for sharing your ideas. Love the Sacred Geometry 2 stencils. Would love to have a set.

Squiddy said...

Isn't it great when the mojo chakra opens up!!! Love the mix of stencils.

APG Jamie said...

really love what you did with the stencils - color me happy

thanks & ^5

Jean said...

Love how you used this stencil!

Deb Fortin said...

thanks for showing your process so well. It shows me that I often STOP way too soon when working on my journal pages. sometimes more IS more.
great stencils

Uli Day said...

Really love the array and the colors, so soft and evocative.
Thanks for showing this style, I think of mandalas too when I see these stencils, would be lovely to have a set.

artimess said...

The stencils are great, and I love how you used them - brilliant!

Anonymous said...

I love what you created with these stencils . Very inspiring! I am stencil obsessed and would love to create with these! Maureen rcradd@verizon.net

Jacklyn Young said...

Such creative use of these stencils! Thank you so much for a chance to win!