Succulent Mandala

Carla van Laar (01.04.2020) “Succulent Mandala”. Pastels, ink and acrylic paint on timber board. Inverloch, Australia.

I am participating in art therapist Michelle Morgan’s Day Challenge for the whole month of April.

Here’s my first mandala. I love painting from life, and I also have a stash of these small boards. So I decided to find mandalas in my local environment to paint from life each day.

I find this a very levelling, mindful and contemplative activity.

I am reminded how still life paintings are a celebration of daily living and domestic life, as well as a traditionally female subject.

I appreciate the incredible beauty to be found when I stop and tune in to my full bodied seeing.