I have been creating and making my own mandala mosaics as a personal hobby and interest for nearly fifteen years, mostly as a relaxation outlet away from my regular hectic work schedule. I find the process of creating mandalas to be extremely reflective and meditating. For me, they are an expression of the inner self. Each mandala has a heart centre that reflects where the inner consciousness and soul resides. I started making mandalas initially to express my belief in universality and to show that we are all part of the one consciousness. During the process of creating the mandalas I am able to enter a meditative state of deep relaxation and I am grateful for the spiritual awareness that the art form has given me.
I don't really consider my art to be wholly a business and my website was primarily designed to share my ideas and designs. People have shown interest and enthusiasm in my work with most of my pieces being sold privately here in New Zealand as well as Western Australia where I lived for twenty years. I often receive requests for mosaic works that are specifically designed to blend into individual landscapes and personal living areas. I am only too happy to create a wide range of mosaic works but am often restricted for time. I see my art as becoming more of a passion and commitment when enjoying my retirement years.
Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning "circle and centre" which together represent wholeness. Examples in nature are depicted by the sun, snowflakes and flowers.
My designs are inspired from many sources and are original and unique. I mostly concentrate on circular geometry and follow the basic principles of circular symmetry by starting with the centre and than using cardinal points and lines to work my way to the outer circle. Each mandala is made by hand and is a time consuming labour of love, sometimes taking over two days to fully complete. The mandalas are created from coloured pieces of ceramic tiles which are cut into various shapes and sizes and than carefully glued on to a solid circular backing base. I apply a light grey grout and seal each mosaic with a Estapol outdoor clear tile/slate sealer which protects the product in both outdoor and indoor areas. The base is also protected with a marine base varnish.
Click on the images on the left to see larger versions, and visit the Mandala Mosaics website
Interests and family
I live with my partner, cat and two very cute small dogs in Wellington, New Zealand. I enjoy golf, skiing, my ipad, women's music festivals and the company of friends. In my spare time, I collect tiles and create circular mandala mosaic plaques which are quickly snapped up and displayed in various backyards around NZ as garden art. I love the cuisines of central Europe and the Mediterranean and enjoy dining out to savour different tastes. My favourite pastime is to take Tommy & Toto for a walk whilst listening to podcasts and satellite radio. I dabble a little with Siddha yoga meditation and believe essentially in universality where we are all one and are ultimately responsible for our own destiny. I also believe that each individual creates their own experience by what they are thinking. I am trying to learn currently how to make more spare time and am preparing for a possible early retirement. I have taken on very difficult challenges in this life by choice; have worked very closely with people that have suffered though loss, grief and disappointment and I live by employing positiveness and accepting that every challenge has its just reward. I have a healthy self-confidence that is not cocky or arrogant. These traits have been steeped out of me over the years and left me with a smooth kind of mellow forward direction. I am currently working as a service manager in the mental health field in a non government health organisation
Click on the images to see larger versions.