London Hummingbird Arts

Card No. 5 Made with Faded Flowers

2012-02-10T09:50:00.000-08:00

This card was also made with some flowers that were given to me by the son of a flower artist who had passed away. When I got them I didn't think I would ever use them and then I was encouraged by another flower artist to keep them. Now I am growing to like them and when I use them they give a nostalgic and sentimental look to what I put them on. I don't know what they all are because some of them were not labled.

Spring 2012 Luminous Mandala Advanced Workshop

2012-02-08T20:14:00.000-08:00

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, or for persons who have previous art experience. This workshop focuses on providing a safe and healing space in which to create luminous mandalas for healing, and provides choices for expressing healing of self, healing relationships, making a sacred connection with nature, or expressing the soul's divinity. There is time for participants to create a luminous mandala and to process it with group feedback(if desired).

When: May 5, 2012, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: 2972 Bailey Ave., Medford
Fee: $90 with a $10.00 fee required in advance to hold a space. Scholarships may be available to offset part of the cost. Contact one of the facilitators for more information.
Facilitators: Diane Tibbitts, M.Ed., L.P.C. and Janet London, M.Ed.

Bring a sack lunch and colored pencils including white. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

To Register Call: Janet 541-608-9238 or Diane 541-779-1840 or e-mail Janet at hummingbird710@msn.com

Diane and Janet are also available to do private workshops if you can gather a group of 8 to 10 interested people. For more information call Janet or Diane or e-mail Janet at hummingbird710@msn.com

The mandala images shown in this blog post were created by one of the Fall 2011 Luminous Mandala Class Participants after the class ended.

"The Luminous Mandala class was incredibly helpful in moving me forward with my future goals. It helped me to accept me and my health problems and to embrace and encompass all parts of me as not good or bad, just me. Pure acceptance. The Luminous Mandala class helped me break through a creative block and move with it instead of just frustration and depression until the block was over." Jennifer, Luminous Mandala Class Participant, Fall 2011

Card No. 4/ Valentine's Card

2012-02-08T11:06:00.000-08:00

Here is card No. 4. I had some left over hearts from a former card project and so made a design with thyme, verbena, coral bells and some little wildflowers. This process is quite a challenge, especially the part of coming up with a new design. It is easier to keep doing the same design if I like it. This is stretching my creative imagination to the max.

Luminous Mandala Work/ One on One

2012-02-07T10:49:00.000-08:00

We didn't have enough people to do a Luminous Mandala Class this time and one person really wanted to do the class so I decided to do the class with her one on one. We met this morning and began the process. We did the first two exercises from Chapter 1, Mandalas as Patterns of Light and Sound from the book,
Mandala, Luminous Symbols for Healing, by Judith Cornell, Ph.D. The first exercise was "Creating a Scale of Light". I began with a meditation to set the scene for drawing and then had her do the drawing. When she reflected on her drawing she said she discovered a seed of something new within her that she has had a protective "cyst" around that that has prevented it from coming out. We then did the next exercise in the chapter "Expanding the Light Within" which began with a meditation and then followed by drawing. In this drawing she felt like she freed the seed from her first drawing from the casing and energy flowed out with unlimited possibility. She said the class was different than she thought it would be and had more to do with healing than she thought it would. She said the meditations in the class really helped her free her mind. This is such a profound book and step by step method of using luminous symbols for healing.

Card No. 3- Zinnia

2012-02-06T15:20:00.000-08:00

This process I am going through is so interesting....making cards using only what I already have. It speaks to the notion of wanting what you have rather than having what you want. It also speaks to me about aging and how our culture encourages us to go after things that are shiny, new and bright. In the process of making these cards I realize I am using some old flowers and yet I am finding a way to make them look beautiful. The look is different than something brand new but equal. Today I found some zinnias I had pressed years ago and never know what to do with them. I found some cardstock that was a soft orange and art paper that had some leave and orange and rust flowers. I also found some cream paper for a backing. I put it together and used some botanical glue as a sealer and it brought out the beauty of the soft orange of the zinnias.

Card No. 2

2012-02-05T17:32:00.000-08:00

I decided that I didn't like the way the poinsettia mandala looked in the black frame so I made it into a card. I like it better with red backing the green. It also gave me an opportunity to make card No. 2. All comments and suggestions are appreciated.

My Creative Spirit Has Re-emerged

2012-02-05T11:24:00.000-08:00

During the holidays I went through a dormat period in terms of my creativity. Now with more Oregon sunshine my creative juices have begun to flow. The first thing I did was to create another coaster set using the Laurel Burch material and collaging it on a wooden coaster set. At my holiday sale I had only one coaster set and it was snatched up at the very beginning of the sale so thought I would make another one. I love the Laurel Burch jungle material as the animals have such pleasant looks on their faces and she uses such bold colors. Above is shown the top of the box with parrots and a few of the coasters. There are 12 coasters, each with a different picture of jungle creatures.

My next decision was inspired by one of the World Wide Pressed Flower Guild Members who made 35 cards and shared them. I decided that I have so many paper scraps that I would challenge myself to make 35 cards. I am not quite sure how long this will take but I have No. 1 and it is pictured above. I will post each card I make. Part of my self-imposed challenge is to make each one different from the others. We will see how I do on this challenge. I love the above card because of the neutral colors. I had received some pressed flowers from the son of a flower artist who had passed away. Some of them were brown and I was disappointed. I shared this with my friend from the World Wide Pressed Flower Guild and she said to keep them as there would be some used for them. Now when I use them on the cards with the beautiful art paper they look wonderful. I gave one of this type of card to my friend who is an accomplished water color artist and she loved it and still has it displayed in her living room.

The other peice I have recently done is a small, 5"x5" mandala picture using poinsettia leaves and petals. I cut the petals and leaves smalled for this tiny picture. I used a wide variety of the colors from the poinsettias that I had pressed. I even used the real centers from the poinsettia for the center of my mandala.

Well I guess it is time to work of card No.2.

Coloring Mandalas: A Familly Activity

2012-01-31T11:44:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-15T21:23:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-06T10:33:00.000-08:00

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.

Colored Luminous Healing Mandalas

2011-11-16T20:20:00.000-08:00

These are the colored mandalas from our Luminous Mandala Class. They are the personal healing symbols that class members drew. In an earlier post I posted the black and white versions of these pictures. They are exquisite and so meaningful to their creators. It was amazing to observe the process of each person in creating these. I want to thank the class members for giving their permission to publish these. Enjoy!

Artist Way Class

2011-10-26T20:14:00.000-07:00

I was contacted today by a small group of women who are interested in an "Artist Way" Class being taught in the Jackonville area. I am willing to offer a class but we need 3 more members to make the class a go. Here is some information about the class:

The Artist's Way Class
Where: Jacksonville Area(Location will be shared at registration)
When: Class will begin on Thursday, Nov. 3 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and meet for five more
Thursdays skipping Thanksgiving Thursday.
Required Text: The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron
Fee: $60
Facilitator: Janet London, M.Ed.
This six week class will help you expand your imagination, clarify your goals and uncover hidden creative energy. You can recover from inhibiting blocks that have limited your creativity and develop artistic confidence and productivity. The first five chapters of the book will be covered.
To Register: Call or e-mail Janet London, 541-608-9238, hummmingbird710@msn.com

Holiday Gift Bazaar, Dec. 3

2011-10-25T19:11:00.000-07:00

Holiday Gift Bazaar

When: Dec. 3, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Oak Valley Community(located off of I-5 at exit 21)
              291 Christopher Way
              Talent, Or.
               541-535-5753

Featured Artists: Jannie Ledard, Alx Fox, Sherry Kronman, Janet London and Diane Tibbitts

Sale Items include jewelry, fabric art, collage boxes, cards, acrylic paintings, stained glass mandalas and more.
                                                                                                                                                                             Refreshments and light appetizers will be served. Mark your calenders for this fun event. Many unique and creative items to choose from.

For more information: Call Janet London, 541-608-9238, or e-mail hummingbird710@msn.com .

Framed Wedding Bouquet and Holiday Collage Boxes

2011-10-18T19:46:00.000-07:00

I finished sealing my neices' wedding bouquet picture and took it to the framers and had a backing put on. It feels so good to have that project completed. Above is a picture of the framed bouquet.

Now I am on to the next project which is preparing for the holiday sale on Dec. 3. It will be held at a home in the Oak Valley Community in Talent, Or. The address is 291 Christopher Way and the sale will be from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Jannie Ledard will be selling her beautiful fused glass jewelry and stained glass art peices. Diane Tibbitts will be selling fabric art, mandala cards and other holiday items. Alex Fox will be selling her fine art paintings and I will be selling some original matted petal girls, petal girls cards and other pressed flower art. I will also be selling some fabric collage boxes. We will have a postcard soon about the sale that I will post.

In the collage boxes I use the utmost care in selecting designs from Laurel Burch fabric to create holiday scenes. The fabric is collaged on black boxes with mod podge and finished off with glitter and rhinestones. They are definitely and one-of -a-kind gift and will last for years to come. Above are some of the boxes I have already made. The next one I want to make will have cats and trees. I just love Laurel Burches' cats.
Back to the workshop!

Luminous Mandala Class/Discovering a Personal Healing Symbol

2011-10-09T20:37:00.000-07:00

Our next exercise in the class was to help participants discover a personal healing symbol. First they set a clear intention for healing. It could be physical, emotional or spiritual healing or they could just want to discover who they really are. The meditation guided participants to be receptive to a symbol and to be a channel for their spiritual center rather than using their ego to invent a symbol intellectually They were encouraged not to reject a symbol even if they didn't understand it. Then they drew the symbol with white pencil and then created a scale of light. In our next session they will begin to add color. These symbols are very powerful as they come from unconscious place rather than an intellectual place. Several of the students have given their permission for their black and white drawings to be posted. I am grateful for their sharing as you can see the power of this exercise.

Lumunious Mandala Class

2011-10-04T11:37:00.000-07:00

In the second chapter of the Mandala: Luminous Symbols for Healing, the participants were ask to draw an outline of their hands and then to illluminate their hands with a scale of light. This exercise helps to develop will power through inner visioning to move the healing life force through the body and hands. In the meditation before drawing participants are ask to visualize radiant energy from the center of their heart and feel love and send it flowing out the hands through the tips of the fingers. In the book, Judith Cornell says,
"After deep prayer, and in a state of unconditional love, the healers(from many spiritual traditions) use the power of will and mind to direct this light(prana of life force) through their hands to those in need of healing.

The laying on of hands, therapeutic touch, loving embraces, and most physical acts of creation involve the hands as powerful ministers and architects of our thoughts".

The hand outline drawing and illumination shown here was created by one of our class participants, Melissa York.

In Chapter 3, Judith Cornell will teach us how the create radiant symbols for healing.

Luminous Mandala Class and More

2011-09-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

Diane Tibbitts and I have 9 people enrolled in our Luminous Mandala Class. In the class we use the Judith Cornell book, "Mandala: Luminous symbols for Healing" in which class participants learn to draw healing mandalas on black paper using the scale of light technique for illuminating their drawings. In the first class we did Exercise 2, Expanding the Light Within, from Chapter 1 in the book. This exercise helps participants spiral inward, open thier hearts to unconditional love, and release fear. Judith Cornell says breaking through the inner barrier to reality will enable the participant to experience balance, wholeness, and spiritual light within themselves. They are instructed to start at the center of the paper and place a white dot and begin drawing a scale of light with a white pencil. Then they are ask to repeat the scale of light and change its size and shape in reponse to intuitive insights gained in the meditation before the exercise. One of the participants, Jennifer Efusia, gave us permission to share a drawing she did in reponse to this exercise.

Melissa York had contributed her latest mandala design which she generated on the computer. It will be up in my mandala store on the website as a free download in a couple of days so you can print it out. It's title is "Getting Closer".

Holdiday Idea

If you are looking for a unique holiday gift, go to my Pressed Flower Art Store and look at the Petal Girl Print Cards. I made the original designs using real flower petals and leaves. I have sold several boxes of them and have received very positive feedback from the buyers. I sell the cards in as assorted box of 6 or 6 of one kind. The assorted box of six has been the biggest seller. If you live in the area and want to avoid shipping, call or e-mail me with your order and we can arrange for you to pick them up at my house in Medford. hummingbird710@msn.com
541-608-9238

Framing While Waiting

2011-09-17T13:18:00.000-07:00

I need to leave the wedding bouquet at the graphic designers until next Wednesday. So yesterday, my husband Buzz and I sealed my "Fairy Garden" picture in a method I learned from the World Wide Pressed Flower Guild. Marie Ann Robinson and Pat Smith who are WWPFG members were especially helpful to me in learning this process. Since I injured my finger last week I needed some help from Buzz. We sandwiched UV glass, the pressed flower picture and myler and sealed it with aluminum tape and added to the back side of the picture silica gel packets and oxygen absorbers before the final sealing. It was quite a relief we did this as this has been such a missing peice for me and has prevented me from wanting to sell my original pressed flower work. Next I will put a matt in the frame with glass and the sanwich and put bracketts to hold the sandwich down and then back it with brown paper. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!! This will keep the picture much fresher and the flowers will keep their color longer. More later.....

Next Step/ Scan with Graphic Designer

2011-09-13T07:37:00.000-07:00

Today I am taking the wedding bouquet design to graphic designer Rene Childs at Harmonic Designs so she can scan it. That way I will be able to offer giclee prints for sale if any of Shelley's friends or family want to purchase them. The next step will be framing.

Finished Wedding Bouquet Design

2011-09-09T11:37:00.000-07:00

The design is now completed and I must move to the next step which is to put the picture in a box with some silica crystals for 8-12 hours so the plant material will fully dry. This will preserve the freshness as moisture is the enemy of pressed flower art. So I will do this and gather some of the extra flowers and send them to my neice, Shelley, in case she might want to make something with them. So when this dries an I glue down any petals that stick up after the drying.......... I will let you know the next step in my next blog.

Wedding Bouquet Progress

2011-09-08T12:27:00.000-07:00

Last night I made some progress on my bouquet design. I finished putting the flowers and leaves on the outside edges of the design and began to fill in the flowers in the middle of the right side. Hopefully today I will be able to finish the design. The hardest part for me is having the patience to glue down small individual parts of the flowers. As it comes together it gets to be more fun as the design comes more into focus. Thanks for sharing this process with me and there will be another picture tomorrow.

Fall: Time to Pull In and Create....Wedding Bouquet

2011-09-07T12:23:00.000-07:00

Summer has been a whirl of traveling and social events and I realize it is now time to pull in and create. One of the most memorable of the social events was my neice's wedding in Seattle. She is my only neice and a very special person so I was so happy to see her marry a wonderful man and create a time to celebrate and see relatives I hadn't been in touch with for several years. For her wedding present I am pressing her wedding bouquet and framing it. It has been quite a project as it was a beautiful big bouquet with lots of flowers. The gerbera diasies have taken the longest to dry out and yet they came out looking very colorful.
The bouquet was originally mostly pink but in the pressing the hydrangeas turned a nice lavender color and the gerbera daisies, a deep violet. I am beginning with gluing down the stems and outer small flowers and the largest flowers. Then I will add the flowers in the middle. There is a picture displayed of where I am right now. I will post more pictures later.

The Mandala: Luminous Symbols for Healing class that Diane and I will be starting Sept. 14 is full and we have one on the waiting list. We are both excited about teaching this as we have done the process ourselves and have seen some amazing results in our lives.

Well, must return to my studio........

Pressed Flower Art Sale, Sept. 3

2011-09-01T21:18:00.000-07:00

Pressed Flower Art Sale: Petal Girl Print Cards, Bookmarks and Laser Prints

Where: Jacksonville, Or., Corner of 5th and C St. (Directly across

from old courthouse.)

When: Sept. 3, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

To view the petal girl designs used for cards and laser prints go to my website:

http://www.tamlondonhummingbirdarts.com/

and click on the Pressed Flower Art Store. Scroll down and you will see the lovely petal girl designs.

The original designs were created with real pressed flower petals. I took an on-line class from the World Wide Pressed Flower Guild and learned the technique from a teacher in India.

For further information call or e-mail me, Janet London.

hummingbird710@msn.com

541-608-9238

Attention Facebook users! Free offer!

2011-08-31T14:30:00.000-07:00

I have recently created a new Facebook professional page for London Hummingbird Arts! Here you will find links to posts from both of my blogs, as well as updates and shared items of interest found on Facebook. You can find it at this address: http://www.facebook.com/pages/London-Hummingbird-Arts/261019903924051

Anyone who signs up as a fan of my new facebook page for London Hummingbird Arts and emails me with your snail-mail address, will receive a FREE laminated bookmark printed on heavy translucent vellum, with an original pressed flower “Petal Girls” design, “Mother and Daughter”.

Have you already “liked” my page? Thank you! You're already eligible for this offer, so email me for your free bookmark today (remember to include your mailing address!).

This bookmark is not yet available in the online pressed flower store at my website, so "like" my page today, send me an email, and I'll send your bookmark as soon as possible!

Visit to San Francisco to Museum of Modern Art and More

2011-08-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

Last Friday we went to see the "The Stein's Collect, Matisse, Picasso and the Parisan Avante-Garde" exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco. What an amazing show....Gertrude Stein was a pioneer in her writing and also the art she purchased. She played a pivotal role in art in the 20th century and the new styles that emerged, especially from Matisse and Picasso. I was particularly struck with the courage it took for Matisse to paint, "Woman with a Hat" in 1905. It was a portrait of his wife wearing an enormous hat and it was brilliantly colored, unlike anything being painted in that time. In the exhibit they said that when people first saw it, they didn't like it and even clawed it because the colors were so "unrealistic". His wife had actually been wearing black when she posed as that was what respectable married women wore and yet he saw the humaness of her and all the beautiful colors. I was quite touched by this. My art form of course is pressed flowers and one of my friends, Marie Ann Robinson, who is an excellent pressed flower artist, did a pressed flower rendition of this picture and it is very beautiful. Go to her website: Prairie Petal Art.com and click on services and scroll down to see her pressed flower "Woman with a Hat".

After we saw the show at the Museum of Modern art we walked a few blocks to the Contemporary Jewish Museum to see one of their exhibits, "Seeing Gertrude Stein: Five Stories." It gave a more personal look at Gertrude Stein and her complex relationshop to her identity, culture and history. It also gave us a view of her domestic life with her partner, Alice B. Toklas. After seeing her art collection, learning more about her personal life was like "icing on the cake".

Fall Class.... Mandala: Luminous Symbols for Healing

2011-08-14T14:42:00.000-07:00

We have two spots open in our fall "Mandala: Luminous Symbols for Healing Class". The class begins on Sept. 14th, Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Medford. The rest of the class dates are: 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 11/2, and 11/9.(All dates are Wednesday evenings.) We will be using exercises from Judith Cornell's book, "Mandala: Luminous Symbols for Healing". The class fee is $75 and the class facilitators will be myself and Diane Tibbitts, M.S. The above drawings are ones that Diane and I did while we worked our way through the class text last year.

If you are interested in registering call Diane at 541-779-1840 or me (Janet) at 541-608-9238 or e-mail hummingbird710@msn.com

Petal Girls Assorted Cards

2011-08-10T15:53:00.000-07:00

I am excited that I have had 7 orders for the "Petal Girls" cards since last Thursday when they went up for sale. The first day I posted the cards for sale in my new Pressed Flower Art Store on my website, I received my first order on Paypal from a customer in Eugene, Oregon. It felt like one of the "firsts" for me like getting my driver's license or graduating from college. I had so much fun creating the "girls" and they seemed to take on aspects of my personality. Who would've thought that. Now I cannot pass a flower without checking out the shape of the petals to see if they would make good skirts for my "girls". The next project I want to work on is matting some beautiful laser prints of the "girls".

New Pressed Flower Art Store

2011-08-05T11:04:00.000-07:00

I am happy to announce that I have opened a new Pressed Flower Art Store on my website and am featuring my new line of print "Petal Girl" art cards. I was inspired to create 6 designs when I took a class from the World Wide Pressed Flower Guild in May 2011. It was an on-line class and the instructor, Anagha Shinde is from India. She taught us a very engaging style of pressed flower art and for me the "petal girls" took on a life of their own. You can purchase an assorted pack of 6 designs or 6 cards of one design. The box of 6 cards is $12.00 plus shipping. Click on my Pressed Flower Art Store and check them out.

2011-07-18T15:01:00.000-07:00

Just finished my latest work of art entitled, "Fairy Garden".

Fall Mandala Class and Workshop, Bride Petal Girl

2011-06-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

I just finished this Bride Petal Girl for my neice who is getting married this summer. One of the WWPFG members created a bride petal girl for our class and thought my neice Shelley would enjoy one possibly as a desk picture. I will give it to her for her birthday in July. The bride petal girl was very fun to make.

I have firmed up my Fall Schedule for Mandala Classes and Workshops. Here is some brief information. If you want more information go to my class page on the website.
Mandala: Luminous Symbols for Healing
This seven week class wil help you learn to create luminous mandalas for healing yourself and others.
Where: 2972 Baily Ave, Medford
When: Seven Wednesday evenings, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sept. 14th, 21st, 28th, Oct. 5th, 12th, Nov. 2nd and 9th
Facilitators: Diane Tibbitts, LPC, and Janet London, M.Ed.
Fee: $75

To register call Diane at 541-779-1840 or Janet at 541-608-9238 or e-mail hummingbird710@msn.com

Circles of the Sacred Feminine
This workshop will provide a "moving" encounter with the divine as a sacred feminine presence using movement and mandala art.
Where: Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Felloship, 87 Fourth Ave., Ashland
When: Oct. 15, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $60-$80 Sliding Scale
Facilitators: Louise Pare, Ph.D. and Janet London, M.Ed.
To register call Janet at 541-608-9238 or e-mail hummingbird710@msn.com

Island Girl

2011-06-02T17:51:00.000-07:00

Here is my next petal girl. She was inspired when I listened to Joel West's new CD Lazar. He has a Reggae style to his music and a positive message. When I went to create a new Petal Girl, this Island Girl emerged.
What great fun! I can't wait to see who will show up next. I just love doing art when the art takes on a life of its own and that has happened with the Petal Girls.

I met today with Louise Pare, Ph.d. and we planned a Mandala a Movement Workshop for this fall around the topic of the "sacred feminine". Louise is great to work with and brings the movement element into the art work I do with people. When I have the firmed up information I will post it on my Class Schedule page.

Making a Sacred Connection with Nature

2011-05-23T16:04:00.000-07:00

Diane, Susan and I continue to work in the "Mandala, Luminous Symbols for Healing" book by Judith Cornell, Ph.D. Our last class session focused on Making a Connection with Nature. Judith Cornell talked about how most indigenous cutlures perceive all life forms as sacred--a part of divine manifestation. Interconnected, they form a symphony of nature that feeds and nurtures us on our spiritual journey. On a CD that comes with the book she guides in meditation to come up with images of birds or animals that will help us heal our connection with nature. The picture shown was created by Diane after this meditation. It is done with colored pencils.

Diane and I got together this week and came up with plans to offer a 7 week course using Judith Cornell's book as a guide for creating luminous mandalas for healing. There are a few more details we have to firm up and then I will post the details on my mandala class page on my website.

"....in accord with the Eastern conception, the mandala symbol is not only a means of expression, but works
an effect. It reacts upon its maker. Very ancient magical effects lie hidden in this symbol....the magic of which has been preserved in countless folk customs." - C.G. Jung

New Petal Girl and More

2011-05-19T13:02:00.000-07:00

A new "Petal Girl" has emerged. She is Daffodil Girl and she likes to collect flowers to press so she can make beautiful pictures. Her skirt is the nose of a daffodil and her top is from a geranium. She is happy because it is a sunny and bright day.

I worked with the high school group at the Darhma Center I attend and had them create their own mandala designs for healing. Again, I was so impressed their self expression and self awareness. I really enjoy working with others and facilitating both their growth and healing.

I have also been creating some cards using a new technique I learned from the World Wide Pressed Flower Guild Website. I have learned that I am happiest when I learn new techniques for creating my art.

Petal Girls

2011-05-09T15:31:00.000-07:00

I signed up for an on-line class with the Worldwide Pressed Flower Guild. The class is entitled "Petal Girls" and is taught by a woman from India named Anagha Shinde. It is a very fun class and we are learning how to make girls out of flower petals. I just love doing the class in a group and seeing what the other members of the group come up with. Everyone shares their ideas so freely. It is quite inspiring to me that this group of artists are so supportive of eachother. I just completed my first girl I call Petunia. She reminds me of myself when I married my husband Buzz 14 years ago. Since we got married my nickname has been "Petunia". Now that I am finished with her it is hard to move on to the next one. It's like when I have finished a novel that was engrossing.....I would want to savor it. However I am moving on to my second girl.

Yesterday I did a mandala drawing class with the middle school kids at our Buddhist Sangha. I ask them to come up with a symbol that wouldl help them on their spiritual path. I was amazed at what they came up with and will post their pictures when I get them scanned.

Creativity is such a scarey but exciting journey!

Pressed Flower Bookmarks, Healing Mandalas

2011-04-12T11:56:00.000-07:00

This is the season for pressing and I have been gathering many spring flowers. The middle bookmark here is composed of flowers I found in the works at my friends house in Jacksonville, Oregon. The other two bookmarks I made out of flowers I already had. I am preparing for a home sale that Jannie Ledard, Glass Artist, and I are planning in May or June. We had a home sale at my house last year and it went well. Our work is complementary and it is fun working together. She makes beautiful fused glass jewelry in addition to other things. I will post more as we get the plans finalized.

On April 2, Saturday, I taught a workshop at the UCC Church in Medford, Oregon on "Art: A Spiritual Practice". I provided mandala designs from different faith traditions and had people select one to color and interpret. An 8 year-old girl attended this adult workshop with her mother. Much to my surprise she created her own design entitled "Calmness". She drew it after a medition I did on "Inner Stillness". I posted it in my mandala store as a free download.

I am still working through the book, "Mandala: Luminous Symbols for Healing" with Susan and Diane. I completed my black and white healing symbol with color. Our next assignment is to create a healing symbol for someone else. See my colored picture above. I am entitling it "Growing Roots."

Spring Half Off Sale

2011-03-15T00:55:00.000-07:00

I am going through a transition in my art business. Recently I joined the Worldwide Pressed Flower Art Guild. One of the benefits of belonging to the guild is that I have access to on-line classes and project ideas. This has inspired me to start cleaning out my studio to make way for some new work. I am offering some of my giclee prints, laser prints, framed laser prints and one original at a 50% discount.

You can go to my website, www.tamlondonhummingbirdarts, and click on the Print Gallery to see most of the work. I have directions to where the other pictures are located on my website. If you live in the Ashland/Medford area I can deliver your order and if you live out-of town I can check on what shipping price would be in addition to the purchase price. Be sure and call or e-mail me if you have any questions or place an order 541-608-9238, hummingbird710@msn.com.

Sale Items

Framed Giclee Prints - Conservation Glass

"Love in Mid-Life" - 36 x 36

This picture was included in the "Women and Man-dala Show"at the Jackson County Library in Medford in April of 2009 and the "Art in Bloom Show" at the Rogue Gallery in also in 2009. (Located in Print Gallery on my website.)

Original Price - $700.00

Sale Price - $350.00

"Mandala for Meditation" - 12 x 12

This picture was included in the "Woman and Man-dala Show" at the Jackson County Library in 2009. (Located in the print gallery on my website.)

Original Price - $300.00

Sale Price - $150.00

Original Pressed Flower Art - Conservation Glass

"Inanna's Descent" - 12 x 12

This picture was included in "The Gifts of the Dark Night Show" at the Talent Art Gallery in 2009. (Located in the print gallery on my website.)

Original Price - $200.00

Sale Price - ~~$100.00~~ SOLD!

Giclee Prints on Foamcore Covered with Cellophane

"Fairyland" - 12 x 15

This whimsical print is in the print gallery on my website.

Original Price - $66.00

Sale Price - $33.00

"Authentic Joy" - 12 x 12

This picture was included in "The Gifts of the Dark Night Show" at the Talent Art Gallery in 2009. It is located in the print gallery on my website.

Original Price - $50.00

Sale Price - $25.00

Matted Laser Prints in Cellophane Jackets

"Grandma's Garden" - 11 x 14

Burgundy Matt

This picture is located on my website homepage in the left hand column.

Original Price - $30.00

Sale Price - $15.00

"Columbine Dance" - 12 x 12

One blue and one burgundy matt

This picture is located on the homepage of my website under the heading "Flower Pressing."

Original Price - $30.00

Sale Price - ~~$15.00~~ - BOTH OF THESE ARE NOW SOLD!

"When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." Lao Tzu

Drawings of Black and White Healing Images

2011-02-23T12:54:00.000-08:00

I am adding Diane's picture of a Healing Symbol in black and white in the top picture. I added some shading to my drawing from before on the bottom. Again these healing symbols came from a visualization that is on the CD that comes with the Mandala, Luminous Symbols for Healing book.

Last Monday evening, we worked with Chapter 4 which covers,"Rainbow Colors for Healing". We did the first three exercises where we learned color blending. Color blending is a new concept for me since I have been doing mainly Pressed Flower Art in which the colors come with the flower or leaf. I did the exercises in color blending again when I got home to class just to practice. Here is one of my samples. These exercises are preparing us to bring healing colors into our black and white drawings.
Quote from the book:
"The inherent Buddha-nature is said to be like a diamond, indestructible, pure and emty, but luminous in reflecting the manifestation of energies as rainbow light." Terry Clifford

Black and White Tree/ My Healing Symbol

2011-02-09T21:31:00.000-08:00

Mandala Drawing Group

2011-02-08T09:55:00.000-08:00

My friends Diane, Susan and I are working through Judith Cornell's book, "Mandala, Luminous Symbols for Healing". In this book through using white colored pencil on black paper she helps us learn to create a scale of light. Last night we created a healing symbol for ourselves in a meditation she did on the CD that comes with the book. She feels we can spontaeously discover within ourselves symbols for constructin a healing mandala. I had some fears and anxiety going into this exercise but was delighted with what I came up with. I created in black and white a tree symbol which I will post when I finish the black and white drawing. I wanted a symbol for receptivity as I tend to be more of a giver than a receiver and know for my own healing I need to receive graciously as well as give. After the black and white drawing is done we will add color to the white again creating scales of light with the color. Participating in this group has been an exciting journey. This book can be purchased through amazon.com as well as in alot of book stores. I highly recommend it if you want to use mandalas for your own healing. It is a very well thought out program and the CD with the meditations and instruction make it easy to do on your own or in a group.

In my pressed flower art I learned how to green the leaves in a way that looks natural with copic markers.
It is only since I joined the World Wide Pressed Flower Guild that I learned this. I had been using acrylic paint which is too thick. The markers have more of an opaque look to them and the leaves look more true to form.

Well, I must sign off now to meditate and then do some creating!

Anything is Possible

2011-01-31T13:41:00.000-08:00

I met with Linda Barnes this past Friday and we further refined our workshop plans for the "Anything is Possible, Using Archtypal Imagery to Expand Your Life." Here is the description we came up with:

Explore traditional and contemporary Tarot Imagery and color symbolism to envision and create a dynamic future. Summary of tarot history and uses followed by extensive time to enhance and decorate tarot image to take with you for inspiration. Workshop time includes group interaction, learning, creative expression and fun!

Workshop Details:

Time: April 16, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Hummingbird Arts (Directions will be given at registration.)
Fee: $50-$75 Sliding Scale
All art supplies and snacks will be provided. You can bring a sack lunch or go out.
To Register Call Janet London at 541-608-9238 or e-mail hummingbird710@msn.com

Bios
Linda Barnes, M.S. is an inspiring workshp facilitator and prize winning poet. She is a Certified Poetry Therapist, member of the National Association for Poetry Therapy, a Certified Journal Facillitator and counselor. She has used Tarot and Therapuetic writing herself for over 40 years.

Janet London, M.Ed., has an extensive background in the use of creative arts for personal growth and healing. Her popular Mandala Workshops have been offered throughout the Rogue Valley. She is a Pressed Flower Artist and is a memeber of the Worldwide Pressed Flower Guild.

Back in the Saddle

2011-01-26T21:52:00.000-08:00

For the past few months I have been focusing on helping my 93 year-old mother recover from a broken ankle. She is doing better now so once again I am writing. I am very excited about joining the World Wide Pressed Flower Guild. In fact I just joined this evening. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time and recently psychic space has opened up for me to do this. They offer wonderful classes and I will have the opportunity to get to know Pressed Flower Artists from around the world. In the U.S.A. I have heard that Pressed Flower Art is somewhat of a dying art form. I hope that is not true and plan to keep putting my art out there. Working with art supplies that I collect from nature is most satisfying to me and hopefully the viewers of my art will be reminded of their own connection with nature.

Currently, I am working with Linda Barnes, a poet, creative writer and counselor to develop a Workshop entitled, "Anything is Possible". We plan to use Tarot cards as a jumping off place for creating poetry and art, stressing there is always potential for anything to happen in our lives. I am meeting with Linda this Friday and we are going to refine our agenda. We have picked a date for the workshop which is April 16, Saturday. I will post more on my class page when the details are worked out.

I am working on a pressed flower candle holder that is an "English Garden" design. Marie Ann Robinson, a pressed flower artist from South Dakota sent me some beautiful flowers from her garden and I am using some of them on the candle holder. I will post a picture when I finish it.

"There is a vitality, a life force, an energy that is translated through you; and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique." Martha Graham

Mandala Design Christmas Card

2010-11-25T10:13:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I created a holiday card that I really like. The card is white and I have a black background to so you can see the edges of the card. I colored a large mandala design and then shrunk it down to half it's size. I added the design to the card with rub-on letters. I added glitter and ribbon and I love the look. My husband said it has an international look. The design is taken from a 12th century bronze plate located in Khurasan, Iran. This could be done with any mandala design. There is some magic in shrinking them as the colors change and somehow they look different. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Many Blessings!

2010-10-12T11:43:00.000-07:00

I am back to creating after a health crisis with my mother. Right now I am very drawn to earth colors.
I received several packets of faded flowers from a deceased flower artist and wasn't sure what to do with the muted colors as I am used to using bright colors. As I worked with these flowers I became very fond of their neutrality and subtle beauty. I realized that in the growth cycle often I have thought of the disintegration cycle as not that beautiful but in working with these flowers I can see that all of the cycles of growth have their own unique beauty including the death cycle.
Also as I was working on this I dicovered a small bug that was pressed in the process. The bug is glued to the bottom of the swithplate. I wonder is you can see her.

Bookmarks as Therapy

2010-10-06T20:13:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I have written in my blog. My mother is 93 and has had some serious health issues recently and is now in a Rehabilitation Center. I realize that I am dealing with the grief of loosing my mother and I know working with pressed flowers gives me a focus and calms my mind.
I think that flowers have such beautiful, healing energy and working with them in stressful times is one of my forms of therapy. I call it "Pressed Flower Therapy".....Finally attached is a copy of the bookmark I made in my last post and a couple of others that are laminated. The final touch will be to add a ribbon at the top. I like the soft look of these bookmarks......my "Soft Pink Series".

Pressed Flower Bookmark Recipe

2010-09-15T14:42:00.000-07:00

Bookmark Recipe

1. Cut velum paper in 7"x 2" rectangle shapes
2. Glue on asparagus fern in a garland design. See above example
Use small dots of white glue.
3. Create a design before gluing,using the flowers you have.
4. Glue design down
5. Sign your name at the bottom of the bookmark
6. Put touches of liquid glitter in places you choose.
*When the glitter dries you can put the bookmark in a
flower press to flatten it if you like.
7. Laminate bookmark and trim.
8. Punch hole at the top and put on a ribbon.

The bookmark shown in the picture here has not yet been laminated.
I will show a picture after I do that.

2010-09-14T19:22:00.000-07:00

Today I pressed asparagas fern in preparation to make holiday bookmarks. I have signed up for a holiday bazaar at the Children's Advocacy Center in Medord. This center does incredibly important works in giving abused, neglected and traumatized children another chance at childhood. My booth fee will go to this very worthwhile organization. In my next blog I will give instructions on how to make my unique pressed flower bookmark recipe. So stay tuned.

I am also continuing to prepare for the "Islamic Mandala" Workshop that Louise Pare and I are offering on November 13. I went to the website "Islam 101" and read about the 'Five Pillars' of Islam which are the foundation of Muslim life. I will share some of my notes with you:

1. The first pillar is Iman or Faith
      The only pupose of life is to serve and obey God and is achieved through the teachings and practices of
      Last Prophet, Muhammad.

2. The second pillar is Salah or Prayer
      Obligatory Prayers are performed five times a day and are a link between the worshipper and God.
      Prayers are said at dawn, mid-day, late afternoon, sunset and nightfall. Prayers contain verses from the
      Qur'ran and are said in Arabic. They can be said in a Mosque or most anywhere. Prayers are central in
      daily life.

3. The third pillar is Zakah or Financial Obligations
     An important principal of Islam is that everything belongs to God and wealth is held in human trust.
     Zakah means both "purification" and "growth". Possessions are purified by setting aside a portion for
     those in need and for society in general. Each Muslim calculates his or her Zakah individually. It
     involves an anual payment of a fortieth of one's capital, excluding primary residence, car and professional
     tools. A person may also give as much as he or she pleases as sadaqu-h, "voluntary charity".

4. The fourth pillar is Sawm or Fasting
     Every year during the month of Ramada-n, Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food
     drink, and sexual relations with spouses.Those who are sick, elderly, menstrating, pregnant or nursing,
     or on a journey may break a fast and make up equal number of days later in the year if they are healthy
     and able. Children usually begin fasting from puberty. Fasting for Muslims is mainly a method of
     self-purification and self-restraint so one can be constantly aware of the presence of God.

5. The fifth pillar is Hajj or Pilgrimage
      The Pilgrimage to Makkah(the Hajj) is an obligation only for those who are physically and financially
      able to do so. Makkah is located in Saudia Arabia. Over 2 million people go to Makkah each year.
      It begins in the 12th month of the Islamic year which is lunar and not solar so sometimes falls in Summer
      and sometimes Winter.The close of the pilgrimage is marked by the festival the 'Id al Adha' which is
      celebrated with prayers and exchange of gifts in Muslim communities everywhere. This and the 'Id al
      Fitr, a festive day celebrating the end of Ramada-n, are the two holidays of the Islamic calendar.

Again, I am struck by the devotion of the followers of the Religion of Islam and how the virtues of  love, charity, and humility are stressed. It requires a great deal of personal commitment. It has been very interesting educating myself on 5 Pillars of Islam and seeing how devoted and commited Muslims are to serving God. As I study the Islamic Designs I can see how the religion has influenced their look. More Later.

November 13 Islamic Mandala Workshop Information

2010-09-14T11:19:00.000-07:00

Please join us Saturday, November 13 from 10am - 4pm at the Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 87 Fourth St. in Ashland for an Islamic Mandala Workshop. Together we will gain a general understanding of the religion of Islam and find deeper meaning and understanding about ourselves using Islamic mandalas and free form movement expression. Coloring mandalas connects us to our center and can bring increased awareness, balance and harmony.

Janet London is facilitating this workshop in tandem with Louise Pare, PhD. A dynamic women's spirituality and movement healing arts educator and published writer, Louise has a doctorate in Women's Spirituality from the California Institute of Integral Studies. She is the director of the Center for Women's Spirituality Education and Empowerment, where she offers classes.

Janet has a Master's degree in counseling from Antioch University and currently operates London Hummingbird Arts, where she offers mandala classes and coaching.

Pre-registration is required for this workshop. Please call Janet London at 541.608.9238 or email hummingbird710@msn.com.

2010-09-08T20:01:00.000-07:00

I have been preparing for the "Islamic Mandala Workshop" that Louise Pare, Ph.D. and I are offering on Nov. 13 in Ashland, Or. I have done some reading about the Religion of Islam and am struck by the strong devotion to the workship of God and how this devotion seems to be a way of life as opposed to something a person does on one day a week or occasionally. I colored a mandala from a coloring book entitled, "Islamic Mandalas", by Klaus Holitzka. The design is taken from the Koran and as I was coloring, I experienced this devotion and saw love woven through every part of the design.(The design is pictured above.) The designs in the coloring book are so intricate and beautiful and coloring them is giving me a better understanding of the Religion of Islam.

I also purchased a poetry book entitled, " The Soul of Rumi" by Coleman Barks. Rumi was a 13th Century Persian poet, philosopher and mystic of Islam (Sufi mystic). His doctrine advocates unlimited tolerance, positive reasoning, goodness, charity and awareness through love. His peaceful and tolerant teaching has appealed to people of all sects and creeds. He believed passionately in the use of music, poetry, and dance as a path for reaching God. In listening to music and turning(Whirling Dervishes) or doing sacred dance, the seeker symbolically turns toward the truth, grows through love, abandons the ego, finds the truth and arrives at the Perfect. The seeker returns from this spiritual journey with more maturity, to love and be of service to the whole creation without discrimination with regards to races, beliefs, classes, etc. I am beginning to read the poetry that is so beautiful and soulful. I will share some of the poetry that speaks to me in my next blog.

Hummingbird Arts 2010 Fall Classes and Workshops

2010-08-30T16:22:00.000-07:00

My beautiful flier is a little too large to show it all at full size and a little hard to read at the next size down, so I'll write the details of my Fall 2010 class and workshop schedule for you here:

This fall London Hummingbird Arts LLC offers several mandala workshops and classes, starting with a Free World Mandala Workshop on Saturday, September 18, 2010!

Free World Mandala Workshop
In this workshop, you can choose a mandala to color from traditional Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Celtic, Native American and Islamic designs. Enjoy coloring your mandala, then reflect and write about what your colored mandala tells you about yourself, and share in a supportive environment.

Saturday, September 18 from 1-4pm.
Jacksonville Public Library, 340 C Street, Jacksonville, Oregon
Facilitator: Janet London, M.Ed.

This workshop is limited to 20 participants and pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, please call Janet at 541-608-9238 or email hummingbird710@msn.com

Fall 2010 Classes and Workshops

World Mandala Class
Four Mondays: Sept. 27 - Oct. 18, 6:30pm - 8:30pm. Medford location, Fee: $45.
Facilitator: Janet London, M.Ed.

Native American Mandala Workshop
Saturday, October 16, 10am - 3pm, Jacksonville location, Fee: $50.

Facilitators: Jill Cobb and Janet London, M.Ed.

Islamic Mandala Workshop
Saturday, November 13, 10am - 4pm, Unitarian Center, Ashland. Fee: $60-$75 (sliding scale).

Facilitators: Louise Pare, Ph.D. and Janet London, M.Ed.

Circles of the Sacred Feminine

Saturday, December 11, 1pm - 4pm. Medford location, Fee: $25.
Facilitator: Janet London, M.Ed.

Pre-registration is required.

For more information and to register, please call Janet at 541-608-9238

or email hummingbird710@msn.com

2010-08-25T12:47:00.000-07:00

Free World Mandala Workshop

Where: Jacksonville Library, 340 "C" St., Jacksonville, Or.

When: Sept. 18, 2010. 1-4 p.m.

Pick a madala to color from a traditional Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Celtic, Native American and Islamic designs and write about what the colored mandala tells you about yourself. Share in a supportive group environment. Facilitator: Janet London, M.Ed.

Limited to 20 participants. Registration Required. To register or for more information call Janet,
541-608-9238.

Rogue Community College Art Show

2010-06-13T16:57:00.000-07:00

My picture entitled, "Inanna's Descent" was selected for a show at RCC entitled,
"Who Does She Think She Is?" The openning of the show will be July 30, at 5:30 p.m. at the Higher Education Center at RCC. A movie by the same name will be shown, followed by a discussion. The movie addresses the creative lives of women and the challenges of juggling all the roles they have. There are many beautiful artworks by talented women artists so I encourage you to view the show. The show will be up at the Higher Education Center until October 1. For further information call Betsy Lewis at Art Events Production, 541-890-1453.

Mandala Card Designs

2010-06-10T15:02:00.000-07:00

The Mandala Card Designs continue to flow out of my brain. I just love it when the last petal is put on the design and it pulls together like magic. The mandala designs are so fun to create with flower petals. This form appeals to me more than landscape designs. Back to work.

Pressed Flower Mandala Cards

2010-06-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

I am continuing to create items for my June 19 Pressed Flower Art Sale. Today I am focusing on cards. I am using mostly petals and creatin designs with them. In the above example I used alstromeria petals with a larkspur in the middle Alstromeria leaves are great to use in mandala designs because of the variations in the pedals. Some of the leaves look like feathers. There is something so calming about creating mandala designs and they look so beautiful as well. If you would be interested in custom order cards, e-mail me at hummingbird710@msn.com
Have a great day and enjoy the beauty around you.

Dinner with World Mandala Class Members

2010-06-02T21:32:00.000-07:00

I had dinner with two World Mandala Class members, Carol Irwin and Jill Cobb. We dined at the McCully House in Jacksonville, Or. and had a delicious halibut dinner. We talked about how much we enjoy coloring mandalas and processing them in a group. Jill mentioned how she likes to see what comes out of a person when they color. Often what comes out of the inside of a person is different from what we may see on the outside. Jill and Carol are both inspired, creative mandala artists and will be the next two designers of the free downloads on my website. Above is the colored version of Carol's design entitled, "Pathway to the Sun". Carol designed and colored this beautiful design which will be the free July download in my mandala store. Jill will create the August free download design so stay tuned!!!!

Pressed Flower Light Switch Plates

2010-06-01T17:27:00.000-07:00

I spent the day gardening in my flower beds and pots. My cosmos are coming up nicely and look so fresh in the bright pink, dark pink and white colors. I have them bordered with white yarrow and they lead to the front door welcoming those who come to visit. When I finished gardening I completed two light switch plates for my arts and craft show which are little flower gardens in themselves.

Congregational Church

2010-05-31T09:38:00.000-07:00

I was invited to teach a Mandala Coloring Class to a Sunday School Class at the Congregational Church in Medford. Once again the children were so fun to work with and I enjoyed their colored designs. The positive feedback they gave following the exercise was so mindful and sweet. After the class was done I went to the coffee hour and a woman came up and ask if I would do a mandala class for the adults. I told her I would do a free workshop so will keep you posted when that happens.

The above mandala is my Mandala for Meditation design which is a free download in the Mandala Store and was colored by Barb Wallgren.

2010-05-27T12:45:00.000-07:00

A few days ago I received a colored mandala design. The design is a free download on my website in the Mandala Store and entitled, "We Are Here". The design was created by my friend Cheryl Walden and colored by Barbara Wallgren. Barb has taken mandala classes from me and really enjoys coloring the free downloads and I am very grateful that she shares her beautiful colored mandalas. The above mandala is the one colored by Barb.

Yesterday I talked about symmetrical mandalas. Not all mandalas are symmetrical. Some are pictures drawn inside a circle. I will share more about this later. I am having a pressed flower art sale on June 19 and must get to work on making some pressed flower light switch plates.

2010-05-26T12:50:00.000-07:00

Today, I am thinking about the restorative aspects of coloring a symmetrical mandala. The structure works to support the person coloring and conveys that harmony is possible, even in times of chaos and challenge. I read an interesting story in Mandala for Meditation, edited by Zoe Frances. There was a young female doctor who had to work a year's residency in a psychiatric ward. She was assigned to the geriatric ward where there was little therapuetic activity. She handed out some mandala coloring designs and colored pencils to see what would happen. Soon the entire ward was decorated with mandalas, and more and more people started to color them. The doctor began to notice amazing changes in her patients. They seemed calmer and more centered and the overall atmosphere became more harmonious and lighthearted.

This symmetrical June Moon design was colored by Susan Dunn.

Dharma School

2010-05-24T11:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I facilitated a Mandala Coloring Class at the Dharma School at the Buddhist Center I attend. (KSC in Ashland.) I was totally amazed at the spontaneity and joy that arose when the children colored. They lack the "inner critic" that so many adults, including myself, have when doing the same task. After they colored, the children and teachers shared what they like about each other's coloring. What mindful and detailed feedback the children gave. I left feeling joy, exhilaration, and gratitude that I had this opportunity. A sixteen year old girl named Emma, who helps teach the younger children also colored a mandala and added words to go with what she colored. The words she added were:
                                                      May no harm come to you
                                                      May you be at peace
                                                      May your eyes be deep like the sea
                                                      May your heart be solid like a mountain
                                                      And may your mind be free like the sky

Here is a picture of her mandala.
Thanks Emma for your generosity in sharing this!

London Hummingbird Arts News Update

2010-05-18T08:21:00.000-07:00

This weekend I put up mandala bookmarks created by Jan Ferris for sale on my website. I made the first sale yesterday. The customer purchased a set of 10 as a graduation gift for her minister's daughter. She thought they were the perfect graduation gift. I am quite happy about what a great gift the sets are if a person wants to send a small but meaningful gift.

Authentic Joy donation benefits Children's Advocacy Center of Jackson County

2010-05-17T16:31:00.000-07:00

My prints were recently moved from where they were on display for the month of April at the Goodbean Cafe in Jacksonville to their May location at Joyfull Yoga, also in Jacksonville. As it happened, Joyfull Yoga was hosting a benefit event for the Children's Advocacy Center the Saturday (May 15th) after I placed my prints there, and as this is a cause I truly believe in, I offered them a print of my latest original pressed flower mandala, "Authentic Joy." They gladly accepted, and rather than add it to the list of raffle items others had contributed, the owner, Louise LaVergne, decided to auction it separately. Though I only brought it to them a couple of days before, miraculously it wound up framed by the day of the benefit. The great news is that Linda Otto (a teacher of infant massage) won the auction with a bid a little higher than my regular price for this print!

I was unable to attend the event myself, so my webmistress Hannah West represented me there. She says she was deeply moved by the executive director's opening speech introducing the Center and its mission, and as she prepared to speak to the audience about my contribution, she realized how many connections, some going back several years, had resulted in my participation in this event, and in how many ways my print was appropriate for this occasion. I created "Authentic Joy" last year as the third of a series of three mandalas beginning with "Inanna's Descent" and progressing to "Ego Disintegration," with "Authentic Joy" as the conclusion, symbolizing the healing of a broken life. I did my best to put into it all the joy of the healing I myself experienced. Hannah said the audience responded very positively to the presentation. Pictured are Hannah with Linda Otto and Marlene Mish, Executive Director of the Children's Advocacy Center.

The benefit was a sucessful one, but the CAC needs ongoing support in their efforts to give abused, neglected and traumatized children another chance at childhood. If you would like to do something to help, here's the link to their website:Children's Advocacy Center of Jackson County. You can also call them at (541) 734-5437.

Put this date on your Calendar!!!!

2010-04-11T16:07:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, June 19, there will be a Pressed Flower Art Sale at London Hummingbird Arts with bookmarks, cards, vases, light switchplates and more. Microfleur Flower Presses, Mandala Coloring Books and Packets will also be available to purchase. Barb Wallgren of Cowboy Flowers will have a selection of live plants for sale, and glass artist Jannie Ledard will have her beautiful fused glass jewelry and stained glass mandalas for sale.

There will be free mandala postcards to color that you can take home with you. Refreshments will be served and free print bookmarks will be given to the first 10 people that walk through the door.

Don't miss the fun! Call or e-mail me if you have questions or need directions. Hope to see you there!

Janet London, M.Ed.
Artist, Mandala Coach

Healing in a Starry Starry Night

2009-08-05T16:27:00.000-07:00

I will be participating in a fine art show "The Gifts of the Dark Night" at the Talent Art Gallery at 108 S. Market St., Talent, Oregon, October 1 through October 31, 2009. Please join me for the opening reception of this show on October 3 from 5:50 - 8:30 pm! At 6:30 there will be a presentation by Marla Estes, MA Transpersonal Studies, entitled "Embracing the Dark Night of the Soul."

Using art, writing and supportive sharing to explore and heal, I will team up with Betsy Lewis to present a day-long workshop entitled: "Healing in a Starry Starry Night," Saturday, November 7, 2009, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Center, 87 4th St., Ashland Oregon. The registration fee will be 75.00. More information will come out on my blog, so to register and confirm the latest details, please check in at my Mandala Classes page (which contains a mirror of my blog) or go straight to the blog here: Hummingbird Arts Class Schedules

Art In Bloom Invitational Exhibit at Rogue Gallery & Art Center

2009-03-07T16:22:00.000-08:00

The Rogue Gallery & Art Center has invited me to be one of only 10 artists to participate in an invitation-only art exhibit, the Art In Bloom Invitational Exhibit, which will show May 2 through May 23, 2009 at the Rogue Gallery & Art Center during the ninth annual Art in Bloom Festival (May 9 and 10, 2009) in Medford, Oregon. The opening reception is scheduled for Friday, May 8th, from 5:30pm to 8pm.

Spring 2009 Class and Workshop Schedule

2009-03-06T16:21:00.000-08:00

I've just posted my Spring 2009 schedule. There's a workshop coming up later in March, a free workshop in April and a 3-day workshop in May- check out my Classes page for details! The March workshop registration is already full, but if you're interested in another one, please let me know...click here to email me!

Ashland Artisan's Gallery Exhibit

2009-02-06T16:20:00.000-08:00

Three of my prints will be in a gallery show sponsored by the Ashland Artisan's Gallery. They will be hung February 11 though April 30 at Royce Real Estate at 145 E. Main Street in Ashland. Prints are great for collectors of Pressed Flower and Nature Art as the beautiful color of the flowers are retained and the fresh look is captured. Their calming influence can also be a real benefit to patrons of holistic professionals, as well as a beautiful addition to their decor.

Postcards From The Edge benefit for Visual AIDS

2009-02-05T16:15:00.000-08:00

I just received a letter from the Visual AIDS Board of Directors telling me that my submission to the 11th annual Postcards From The Edge benefit for Visual AIDS, held at Metro Pictures in New York, NY, was purchased! The artwork they invited artists to donate was in the size and form of a postcard, which they sold at the event for 75.00. My piece was called "Courage (pictured at right)", and is now in the possession of a collector in New York. I'm so pleased to have been able to contribute to this worthy cause, and grateful that this collector valued my work, as well as the cause, so highly.

The benefit did very well overall. Within 48 hours, this year's event raised an extraordinary $75,000 with the exhibition of 1,656 works and the attendance of thousands of guests. My congratulations to Visual AIDS for their brilliant idea and its success in raising funds for their efforts.