Creating Mandala Art with Found Objects: A Journey of Creativity and Mindfulness

Creating Mandala Art with Found Objects: A Journey of Creativity and Mindfulness

Mandalas are very complex, circle-rimmed pictures that tell of unity and harmony. Used for centuries in various cultures to meditate and speak from one's heart, they have a strength to marry loneliness with creativity. Usually done traditionally on paper or on canvas with any paints, mandalas can also be made from various found objects. In this rather creative approach not only brings new freshness to mandala art but also makes the artist touch his environment in a unique and thoughtful way.  A Journey of Creativity and Mindfulness

The Essence of Mandala Art
In essence, mandala art is about balance and symmetry: an outward expansion of a pattern from a central point in repeating patterns toward order and serenity. As such, it makes for a great tool of mindfulness, as the process of creating a mandala is something that encourages concentration and thought.

You are always aware of your process when working with found objects, as that spreads from the drawing board to the world around you. Each item you bring in for your mandala: a pebble, a leaf, or a seashell, becomes part of a greater whole as you tell the story that your mandala will tell.

How to Make Mandala Art Using Found Objects Step by Step
Step 1: Gather Your Stuff
Begin by spending some time wandering around your environment. Pay attention to your immediate surroundings, take a stroll in the garden or on a hike into the woods - or just around your house - and gather what calls to you from nature or everyday life. This may be leaves, flowers, stones, twigs, bottle caps, buttons, or driftwood pieces. The beauty of working with found materials is how wild, simple, or subtle it can be.

2. Choose a Location
Found-material mandalas can be transient or lasting. If making outside, find a flat space such as the ground, sand, or huge rock. Indoors, a table or floor will work. Remember found-object mandalas are typically temporary. That becomes part of the mindfulness in appreciating beauty in its temporary life.

3. Begin in the Center
Begin by putting one object in the middle of your workspace. This will be the centerpiece of your mandala. From there, work in layers outwards. Organize your objects into a symmetrical pattern so that each layer mirrors the last. As you create each layer, use your breathing and repetition to ground you.

4. Let Go of Perfection
This is not a competition in accuracy; it is through the organic variations in size, shape, and color that your mandala becomes unique. Imperfections are part of the creative journey, so let your mandala organically evolve from what you are doing.

5. Reflection and Surrender
Once you have completed your mandala, step back and look at it. Think about how each element fits into the greater design, how you've used your mind to compose each of them, and what the balance has done to your mental energy. When you are ready, let go of your mandala. Perhaps it's washed away by the tide, blown away by the wind, or dismantled by your hands, but letting go is a potent reminder of the impermanence of all things.

Benefits of making mandalas with recycled material
Making mandalas with collected objects is a mindful activity that encourages you to connect with nature and the world surrounding you. It's one way of rediscovering beauty in mundane things. The process itself can be very meditative so that your stress can be mitigated and emphasis learned.
Not only that, making a mandala with recycled material is an eco-friendly activity that doesn't require specific materials for a project.

Mandalas made from found objects can be an interesting and accessible way of channeling creativity and mindfulness while being conscious of the environment. Whether you're seeking a fresh source of creative expression, a means to attain relaxation or just a connection to nature, creating mandala art from found objects is a fulfilling and meaningful practice. The beauty of this form of art lies not in the final product but in the journey to create it.

Creating Mandala Art with Found Objects: A Journey of Creativity and Mindfulness