I have always had a love of color and symmetry, and I have found that creating and coloring mandala shapes and designs is a calming experience that creates a beautiful and interesting image. The original mandala symbol represents the universe in Hinduism and Buddhism, and the radial balance found in mandalas has been used across the world in other religions and designs. The word ‘mandala’ literally means ‘circle’ in Sanskrit and the image of balance, continuity, and perfection has captivated my artistic imagination since 2015. I would spend hours putting color schemes together with normal markers and pens and arranging them into a paper mandala or pattern to make it entirely unique. I realized later on how much I loved doing this, and how much I would love creating my own from start to finish. While circular mandala designs are my favorite, patterns have become a source of inspiration for me as well, as I have found just as much comfort in a never-ending compellation of geometric forms as I have in a closed, finite circular shape.
I chose to use acrylic and oil paint to create these forms and patterns due to the endless possibilities of color and the ‘loose control’ I have found in painting, by which I mean that paint is both malleable and static. I am not in charge of its fluidity or texture, but I can dictate when and where it appears on a canvas. I am also inspired by color theory, the emotions different colors can cause, and the infinite combinations of color schemes. Paint allows me to create any color that I can think of: whether it’s a collection of calming blues and greens, or an exciting red and yellow scheme with every orange possible in between, paint makes all of this a reality for me. Creating art is most enjoyable for me when the designs are stable, but the colors are unlimited.
My ambition for my art is to captivate the emotions and imaginations of my audience. I want people to be able to look at my paintings and be mesmerized by what they see, to perceive more than what is already there and to feel as the colors imply. There is a surreal escapism to these designs and I found the ability to melt into this type of image both physically relaxing and mentally stimulating. I want people to find solace in a design that appears simple, and discover all the complexities hidden within it.