Happy July Day!

(c) 2012, Colleayn T. Klaibourne

I love the color red.  This started with a yellow and green background, but as the details came together, it wanted to become a beautiful red and burgundy color. It may be a reflection of the last couple of weeks being in the upper 90's - 100 degree temps. with high humidity.  It portrays July perfectly with the beautiful flowers, warmth, festivities, and more.  Happy July everyone!

Mandala to Energize the Mind

(c) 2012  Colleayn T. Klaibourne

This Mandala was created by painting Silks Acrylics and gel pens on Black Gessoed paper.  This one has a lot of shine and is energizing to the mind.  

Mandala for Summer Joy!

(c) 2012 Colleayn T. Klaibourne

This is a Mandala created with Twinkling H2O watercolors on watercolor paper.

I am taking an Online class called Wisdom Circles with Dion Dior.  She is great inspiration. 

I love to see what wants to emerge through meditation and the dance of color on paper.  I let the design and colors lead me, so each piece is a surprise ready to unfold.  I am always amazed how powerful Mandalas are. 

Mandala Magic

 (C) 2012, Colleayn T. Klaibourne

 (C) 2012, Colleayn T. Klaibourne

  (C) 2012, Colleayn T. Klaibourne

Here is it completed with designs added to the Mandala.

 (C) 2012, Colleayn T. Klaibourne

One stencil creating 2 completely different looks.  

I really enjoy using heavy gel medium in my art.  I have been making some stencils to use with gel medium to get more dimension in my art. Each was created using acrylic paint, Silks, and stencils. 

 (C) 2012, Colleayn T. Klaibourne

This Mandala was created using Twinkling H2O paint and a gold gel pen.  I love how the mica shines so bright on the black paper.  

The Dance of a Mandala

(c) 2012 Colleayn T. Klaibourne

This Mandala was created using Micron pens, Luminarte Silks and Twinkling H2O's on 140 Ib watercolor paper.  I wish the photograph could capture how much it glistens.
Mandalas are so magical.  As you gaze at them, they come to life.  The design dances, the colors move, and new colors emerge and bounce off the page.
Enjoy and see what this Mandala has to offer you!

Twinkling H2O Mandala

(c) 2012 Colleayn T. Klaibourne

This Mandala was created using Twinkling H2O watercolors and a Micron Pen.  I wish this photo could show the beautiful shimmer these watercolors create.  They are so fun!  (It looks a bit distorted due to the watercolor paper bending slightly at the top, but it really dances as you meditate with it.)   

New Mandalas

(c) 2012  Colleayn T. Klaibourne

Watercolors, Sakura & Uni-Ball Pens, Watercolor and rice paper. 

Hi,  I've been having fun creating new Mandalas this week.  I have found as I have been meditating on them, they have created nice change, growth, insights and opportunities.  The mandalas in the above photo are being enjoyed by some "Fun Buns" created by my Mom.  

The intention for this Mandala is for Financial Healing.  After 2 evenings of meditating on this mandala, I received great insights and unexpected, increased income. 

This was created Easter Sunday, 2012.

A mandala is a symbolic picture or pattern used in meditation. Mandalas come directly from the unconscious mind to heal body, mind and spirit.  The design, colors and its geometry are specifically designed to bring about inner focus and inner peace.  Mandalas most often are in the form of a circle- a shape that represents the self, the Earth, the Sun, and the state of wholeness we strive for. 

The modern usage of the mandala comes largely from Psychiatrist Carl Jung.  He started with his own experience with drawing circles, shapes and designs, and noticed they somehow corresponded to his inner situation, feelings, impressions, and thoughts.  He concluded after some study of the matter with his own drawings and also the drawings of his patients, that these circular drawings were therapeutic, first to draw, then to look at.  Carl Jung saw the circular images his clients experienced as "movement towards psychological growth, expressing the idea of a safe refuge, inner reconciliation and wholeness."

Simply rest your gaze at the center of the image, or slightly above the center, keeping your eyes softly focused.  Do this for 10 -20 minutes per day to experience the benefits of these healing art pieces.   

Try not to stare at it, nor to let your mind wander to random thoughts about the image.  Simply allow the image and its design to soak into your consciousness.  Healing happens at deep levels that may feel spontaneous and immediate, or it might evolve over time.  Mandala meditation allows you to encourage healing at a pace that is right for you.  By setting aside a little time every day to look at a mandala will help you relax and feel balanced.

Each time you meditate on a mandala, you will experience new insights and will help you discover more about who you are. 

Happy St. Patrick' Day Mandala

Joy & Happiness Mandala

(c) 2012 Colleayn Klaibourne

Watercolor, Micron pens, & Twinkling H20's on Watercolor paper

Happy St. Patrick's day.  Here is a joyful Mandala to celebrate this beautiful time of year and the great Spring weather we have been experiencing this week in Minnesota.  It is great to be Irish!

Enjoy!

Go With the Flow Zentangle

I discovered Zentangle on the website Pinterest and thought it would blend great with my Celtic Art.  I didn't realize there was a name to the doodling I have all over my notes.  Mix doodles with art & lettering and it becomes something mesmerizing to look at and fun to do. 

This was created on Charcoal paper with a Pitt & Micron Pen and pencil.

If you are a visual person who loves photos, check out Pinterest at: http://pinterest.com/colleayn/  It is addicting!

Trust Your Heart

This was a day to experiment with my new Koi watercolor pocket field sketch box along with the Derwent watercolor pencils.  I love the bright colors.  This was created in a 5.5" x 8" watercolor 140Ib. Strathmore Journal, Micron & Pitt pen, and a waterbrush for the watercolors.   I couldn't help but get a little Celtic twist in.  Art Journaling is good for the Soul. 

My First Art Journal Page

I have had fun painting again!  Normally my paintings take weeks to finish, and due to my busy schedule, I haven't had a chance to paint for a long time.  I discovered Art Journaling through the Pinterest website, and fortunately one of my favorite artists, Lori Vliegen, offered a class.  Now I can play again! 

This was created using a 5.5" x 8" watercolor 140Ib. Strathmore Journal, Derwent Inktense watercolor Pencils, micron pen, and a waterbrush.  These are new supplies for me, and I highly recommend them.  Now I don't have to wait for a full day to open up to paint.  I can get out my pencils and waterbrush and create something colorful in a short time.

Crispy Kale Chips

I am addicted to Kale Chips!  At a nutrition class we learned how great Kale is for us and to eat it regularly.  This is my favorite way to get this nutrient packed veggie into my life.  Kale chips are great as a snack or sprinkled on a salad.  Once you start eating this crisp treat, you can’t stop. 

Kale ready for the oven.

Ingredients

1, 10 oz. bag of Kale pieces or a large bunch

1 Tbsp. Olive oil

½ tsp. salt

Love

Directions

*     Preheat oven to 350 degrees and put out 2 large cookie sheets with the small sides.

*     If you are using a bunch of Kale, remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces.  The bag of Kale I found at Trader Joes was already cut into nice sized pieces.

*     Wash the Kale and dry thoroughly.   Dry using a salad spinner then put the kale on a large dishtowel patting down to make sure it is very dry.

*     Drizzle the kale with olive oil massaging oil into each piece until they are nice and shiny.

*     Arrange leaves in single layer on 2 large baking sheets.    

*     Sprinkle sea salt over the top of the kale.

*     Bake until the edges are brown but are not burnt, 15-24 minutes.  Rotate between shelves ½ way through cooking.  Some will be done sooner than others.  When they are crisp, place the finished ones on a plate and continue cooking the others until they are done. When you move the pans, they will sound crispy.

*     Store in a container if you have any left.

Love

Excellent!

Have these often!