The Evolution of My Mandalas

I've always been a doodler. For as long as I can remember, I filled the margins of notebooks with patterns and designs as a way to keep my hands busy and give my mind space to wander. That love of pattern naturally carried over into my henna work and, eventually, into the mandalas I create today. In 2023, I began exploring mandalas more intentionally, and what started as a simple creative exercise quickly grew into a major part of my artistic journey.

My earliest mandalas were fairly simple. To be honest, I don't even remember exactly what inspired the first one. Looking back, I can see the connection to the henna designs I create, where repeating patterns and flowing lines have always been a big part of my work. What started as a simple experiment quickly became something I wanted to explore further.

After completing my first few designs, I decided to purchase some black art paper. That small change opened up a whole new world of possibilities. The contrast between the dark background and bright gel pens allowed details to stand out in a way that felt exciting and different. While black paper remains one of my favorite surfaces to work on, I've also experimented with white and colored papers, and more recently, acrylic paint on canvas. Each surface brings its own challenges and opportunities, encouraging me to approach patterns and color in new ways. With each piece, I found myself adding more layers, experimenting with new patterns, and pushing the designs a little further.

Over time, the mandalas began to take on a character of their own. Many of my recent pieces remind me of lace, with intricate lines and delicate details woven together across the page. Some even bring back memories of the crocheted doilies my grandmother used to make when I was a child. I still have photographs of some of her work, and every now and then I find myself looking through them for inspiration.

One of the things I enjoy most about creating mandalas is discovering patterns in unexpected places. My phone is filled with reference photos I've collected over the years... details from hotel drapes, decorative pillows, carpets, tilework, and architectural elements. Once you begin looking for patterns, you start to notice them everywhere. A small detail that most people might walk past can spark an idea for an entirely new piece.

When I compare my early mandalas to my recent work, I can see how much has changed. The designs have become more detailed, more layered, and more reflective of my own artistic voice. At the same time, the core reason I create them remains the same: a love of pattern, repetition, and the quiet process of building something one line at a time.

The photos below show a great example of that growth. One is an early mandala from the beginning of my journey, and the other is a more recent piece. Looking at them side by side reminds me that artistic growth doesn't happen all at once. It comes from showing up consistently, exploring new ideas, and allowing your work to evolve over time.