Once I figured out my idea I began researching on what I was actually creating and that was a Mandala.....

There was so much connection when reading and researching into mandalas that it helped me solidify what I wanted to create and that is a wall piece with my own version of my own mandalas.

From there I began creating my own symbols that relate to something to me.

I have symbols relating to all 3 of my cultures

Welsh

• Daffodils are my favourite flowers and are the national flower of Wales

• The Triangle shapes represent the mountains where I live

• The Leaf shape are from my favourite place to go walking - I spent a lot doing that during lockdown.

Guyanese

• Amazonian Lily is the national flower of Guyana and one of my favourites to draw.

• Tropical Leaf reminds me of being in Guyana

Indian

• Flowers are from flower garlands which are prominent in Indian Culture

• Paisley is my favourite shape to draw as it has so much movement

Other symbols

Small Leaf shapes and circles represent pathways and journeys I have been through.

Broken pieces represent that no matter what iv'e been through I can piece myself back together and it will always be a part of me - Healing - I'm deconstructing to reconstruct myself

First sketches of ideas

Rangoli is an art form originating in the Indian subcontinent, in which patterns are created on the floor or a tabletop using materials such as powdered lime stone, dry rice flour, coloured sand, quartz powder, flower petals, and coloured rocks. It is an everyday practice in Hindu households, however the colours are preferred during festivals and other important celebrations as it is time consuming.

Rice Rangoli

Being inspired after researching, mum and I attempted to create a rice Rangoli. First I had to dye some rice with some food colouring. This was quite satisfying to do!

This turned into a total fail. I was trying to glue them down but It was so fiddly with all the little rice pieces that wasn't giving off the desired effect. Everything about it just looked bad so I have up on using rice.

After the fail of the rice Rangoli we attempted a flower petal one. I had bought dried flowers and real flowers to attempt this. Here's a timelapse of my mum and I making it. (Sorry about the footage being portrait.)

It came out a bit better but I still wasn't happy with all the symmetry of these. It wasn't the syle I was going after but I had a lot of fun experimenting with it and learning a new process