Coloring Mandalas: A Familly Activity

Children love coloring mandalas and creating their own pictures.  My stepdaughter, Lia, who homeschools her children did a mandala creating and coloring session for their art lesson.  She and her two children created mandalas.  Each one is unique and beautiful. The theme of the pictures was a valentine for my husband and I.  You can create the mandalas around a topic or theme or just draw anything you like.

Kate, age 8, created "Sunshine Love".  Above is a picture of it.

Isaac, age 11, created "Abstract Weather".

Lia, the mom, created "Blooming Love" shown above.
If you try it with your family I would love to hear how it goes.

Psychology Today Article About Mandalas

I  was reading an article from "Psychology Today" about Mandalas. It is entitled, "Cool Art Therapy Intervention #6:  Mandala Drawing" by Cathy Maichiodi.  So many of the conclusions she reaches I have come to from my own experience of teaching mandala classes.  I would like to share some of her insights with you.  She says that the evocative and health-giving power of the mandala is much more than just symbol-finding.  "It is really the creative process of making mandalas that helps us revisit the univeral experience of the circle and, as Jung found, helps us to experience and reflect on the essence of who we are in the here and now."  She feels that drawing a mandala can be a very relaxed and meditative experience.  If you create a series of drawings over a period of weeks or months you may will find that the content changes along with your personality, emotions and experiences. 

According to Jung, mandalas symbolize "a safe refuge of inner reconciliation and wholeness."  They have the potential to call  forth the univeral within.  They give us the experience of wholeness in out chaotic and face paced lives.  It is a very wonderful art therapy intervention for soothing the soul and meeting oneself.

Winter Mandala Classes and Workshops

Luminous Mandala Class

This six session class is the entry level in learning to create luminous mandalas.  The techniques of creating and working with luminous mandalas will be taught and participants will have the opportunity to create their own. These mandalas done on black paper are strikingly beautiful, and can facilitate healing of self, relationships, and spirit when used in a thoughtful and meditative way.  No prior art or drawing experience is needed.
When:  Thursday evenings, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Feb. 2,9,16, and 23, March 1 and March 22.
Where:  2972 Bailey Ave., Medford
Fee:  $90

Facilitators:  Diane Tibbitts, M.Ed., LPC, and Janet London, M.Ed.

Required Text:  Mandala, Luminous Symbols for Healing, Judith Cornell, Ph.D.(Comes with a CD and

                            can be ordered through amazon.com)
A non-refunddable deposit of $10.00 in advance is requested to reserve your space.  A supply list will be sent to you upon receiving your deposit.  To register or for more information call 541-779-1740 (Diane) or 541-608-9238(Janet) or e-mail hummingbird710@msn.com

Scroll down on this blog to see student work from our Fall class.



Luminous Mandala Advanced Workshop

This workshop is for those persons who have completed the basic Luminous Mandala Class and have learned the techniques of drawing and coloring luminous mandalas.  It focuses on fostering a deeper connection with other aspects of healing, such as healing relationships, making a sacred connection with nature and expressing the soul's divinity.
When:  February 4, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where:2972 Baily Avenue
Fee: $60
Facilitators:  Janet London and Diane Tibbitts
A light lunch will be provided or you can bring your own lunch.  Bring art supplies you used in the beginning class.  To register call 541-608-9238(Janet) or 541-779-1840(Diane) or e-mail hummingbird710@msn.com

"We need to find ways to connect to our inner depths, to heal our wounds and nurture the growth of new potential within us.  Mandala art is one of the most creative and direct transformative ways to accomplish these important goals."
Michael S. Brown, Ed. S.