Nature Mandala

Artist Statement

For our last assignment, we were asked to create a nature mandala out of natural materials we found around us. Following the guidelines that make up a mandala, I decided to arrange a number of leaves and grasses, as I thoroughly enjoyed the green color scheme and the different shapes and textures of each individual component. It was extremely windy on the weekend of the assignment, so I took a flat piece of wood I found lying around and sat outside collecting leave and grasses around me. As we didn't have many interesting pieces of wood or stone, the leaves seemed like the best option. I had absolutely no plan so I simply gathered all the materials and began to play around with the layout. It isn't very detailed so it did not take me but ten minutes. I started off with the maple shaped leaves, I liked the symmetry and virtually similar size. Also, the points and tips add more dynamic to the end result. I wanted to play with texture so I took these little ends of some weeds which added a new splash of green and a really cool texture. From there out I just played with symmetry of the remaining leaves and that was really all there is to it.

Although I kept to one color scheme, the green provides unity and texture, as each leaf and plant had a unique surface to it. Additionally I used space and the shape of the elements in correspondence to one another as the negative space looks cool to. I tried out some different things with varying elements like some leaves I ripped in half and they created this cool and different form with a whole leaf. As it has to be symmetrical, my mandala is pretty balanced however I think I also did an okay job with playing around with the thickness of my elements, as some leaves were very thin and flimsy and others big masses in comparison.

I think my mandala looks a lot like a green snowflake or something along the lines of that, which was not intended. I really like the way I incorporated texture and color into my piece without making it distraction by choosing different colors or materials. I also really like it considering the fact that I did it quickly without thinking about it much and then just left it behind. Another thing I like though I could have improved upon is layering elements. I did use it a bit with the bigger leaves and the little flower right in the middle however I think it would have really added dynamiq and depth to my piece.