I recently downloaded and colored a mandala that was one Mia offered for her blogiversary. I thought I had more time, and didn't realize I had missed the cutoff until after it was too late to join the party. That was OK, because that meant I could now take my time with the remainder of the coloring.
This was not an easy thing for me. I don't really enjoy coloring within the lines. 
There are lots of reasons, including the fact I don't have proper tools for the job, my hand cramps and I have to stop and massage the dominant hand, and the fact I really don't enjoy coloring. Add to that the fact my arm smudged the blue outline I was so careful to color first. It went downhill from there, I fear.
For this I used mostly Crayola crayons and water soluble crayons. 
This is a very dimensional page. 
There are a couple of dimensional elements on this page. 
For this page, I began with several colors of Staz-on reinkers I combined with 91% isopropyl alcohol. I used a chip brush to create the swirls on the page. I was hoping to show movement.After spending DAYS and DAYS on the mandala, it was finally ready to be attached to the prepared background using a glue stick. Next came the large and small butterflies. The small ones had been gifted to me. They were created using a punch on scrapbook paper. Because I thought it looked a bit plain, I added the lovely dimensional floral piece I had picked up at either JoAnn's or The Dollar Tree. For some reason, I thought it matched Mia's mandala.
Thanks for dropping by today. I am really grateful for your visit and also hope to see you at Art Journal Journey with your own take on Butterflies.
Dollar Exchange Rate
15 thoughtful remarks:
Your beautiful butterfly just adds to the beauty.
I am awed at sand mandalas in particular - all that work, and then they are just swept away...
Sorry about your hands. I have the same with my toes. Numb.
Love the butterfly! And the whole page, but especially the butterfly.
P.S. ... Sehusafest... A post is to come on what we are in each weekend, TV-wise.
Jutta... Germans in that time did not think of KKK.
100% there is no relation, but I understand you freaked out.
Boy how dumb are we in the world today! Time to change her outfit, especially as all this comes sadly up again!
I will tell my Brother. He has no real influence, but maybe... (The ordinary German does not think of KKK seeing her. She´s but a good soul)
My T still has my book of Whats-App fails (German) - one guy wanted to say to his new girl friend he goes to KFC and the darn thing made KKK of it, she quit. That´s how "Corinna" came to the world, we call it "Corona" and Whats App... "Corinna"...).
I need a mandala to calm me down ;-)
Hi Elizabeth, well done on colouring that mandala. This is something I absolutely refuse to do, I hate colouring in between the lines! You did yours weel! Love the butterflies, too. Have a great week! Hugs, Valerie
This is a great idea. And very very nice for Mia's challenge. Use her mandala and some also some butterflies too. The 2 overlapping butterflies are very cool. I like the top one with some sparkles on the edges. Happy new week and happy Monday! Hugs-Erika
Beautifully done and perfect for the first full day of Summer. Happy Solstice
Lovely! My husband uses pens/etc. that have larger diameters. He has trouble with the regular-sized tools, too.
Coloring mandalas and other repeated designs is fun for me. I have finished a few coloring books though I don't do it every day or even every week. I have a couple sets of markers, some with medium points, some narrow. I don't get compulsive about staying in the lines, though I usually manage. Also, sometimes I don't do exact repeats of the colors. Yours looks like fun.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
That top butterfly with the gold wings just draws me into this page. It’s a beauty! I’m with you about coloring. I don’t find the fascination that so many others find in it. But I think your butterfly goes well with your mandala and brings it to life. I would imagine that coloring in your own style and ignoring lines might produce an interesting artistic effect that no one else has discovered yet.
This is very pretty, Elizabeth. It looks wonderful on your background.
I color to relieve stress. This is very nice indeed. Who cares about the lines.
Now I have read about the problems you have had to overcome i realise why you do not like colouring. Yet you have done a beautiful job with this Mandala. It is so delicate in its colouring which to my mind, requires a skill in itself.
Love how you have introduced the butterflies to link in with Mia's challenge.
Thanks for sharing.
Hugs, Neet xxx
So beautifully done ...
Very well done :)
All the best Jan
It's a beautifully coloured mandala Elizabeth! If it's too perfect no-one will realise it is hand coloured. I love the butterflies and the little bit of bling too.
Our hands are so important to us artists aren't they?! Take care.
Alison xx
Well I think you have coloured this page beautifully, don't be hard on yourself, I'm sure many of us have things that we don't feel happy doing. I know I have many issues myself. The butterflies look lovely with the mandala, its fabulous inspiration for Mia's AJJ theme.
Yvonne xx
Wow Elizabeth! What a gorgeous idea to combine the mandala with the butterfly! Oh thank you SOOOO MUCH for coloring my mandala and A HUGE thank you for creating this adorable page for my theme at AJJ. You make me VERY happy, my dear friend. I send you big big big hugs and many many kisses!!!
PS: Please take care of your hands.
Post a Comment