Sunday, November 16, 2014

Summer Mandalas

When the wind keeps stealing the joy of spring, and rain and hail dampen the spirits, it's time to look forward to summer, which surely is coming.

And so I've made a gift card set from my past 'Summer Mandala' images. I've done one of these each year now, and the card set will be tucked into book orders that arrive during November, as a free gift to delight my loyal readers.

It gives me so much pleasure to prepare a gift that comes from my own labour.

Now I've started creating the image for 2014, which I will make into a card to send to family and friends.
 Dear reader, I must confess it's not going well. The ingredients are beautiful, but how to put them together?
 I try adding jade plant leaves to add some life, but no, it's not quite right. That flax mat looks too yellow, and drains the energy.
How about doing it on a tile? Hmmm. I'm repeating myself from other years. A fresh approach is needed.
I read an article many years ago about the stages of the creative process. Frustration is a stage. It's not forever. In fact it is said to precede a breakthrough.

I'm reminded that the images in the cards above took many hours or days to produce. They all went through the process, with frustration speed humps jolting and jarring the flow and tempting me to give up.

When in the frustration stage, it's useful to take a break, and to remember past successes. So that's why I've photographed my card set and posted it at the top of this blog. It makes me smile to share it with you. Meanwhile, watch this space and see what emerges from the failures.

12 comments:

Anissa said...

Oh Juliet, I love the postcard idea! They are beautiful. x

Juliet said...

Thank you Anissa. They are actually cards that open up. Last year my granddaughter made one when I was doing mine. I photographed & printed it out and we made hers into a summer solstice card for her parents. I've promised to do that again this year. It's great fun.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Juliet - they are beautiful and what a lovely idea.

Frustration is only temporary ... time away to do other things and mull - then some creative thought will arrive ..

Enjoy and enjoy helping your granddaughter do hers .. cheers Hilary

Juliet said...

Thanks Hilary, I'm practising patience! Glad you enjoyed the cards.

Vicki Lane said...

Love your mandalas! And those purple shells are wonderful. I like the green with them.

Juliet said...

Vicki, I'm so glad you like them. Those purple shells appear on our west coast beach occasionally after a storm. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I am looking forward to seeing what emerges. And, hopefully, I can get myself organised to order a book before the end of November!

Juliet said...

Hi Gallivanta. Customers so far are delighted with the cards, so act soon!
Yesterday I arrived at something I like, with the new mandala, just as the light went. Now it's too windy to take it outside. Patience is needed as I wait for some sunshine.

Hotly Spiced said...

I've never heard of a mandala. I think they look really pretty and yes, a homemade gift is always the best kind of gift to receive. I do love the look of those purple shells xx

Juliet said...

Charlie, the purple shells are sometime cast up on the west coast beaches after a storm. I always feel they are a special gift. It's a long time since I've found any. Thank you for visiting.

Penny O'Neill said...

Ah, Juliet, I'm in a frustration phase right now. Perfect timing for your inspirational post. I love your past cards and know you will have a breakthrough, may have had one already. Your winds are robbing spring, and ours today bring an early winter.

Juliet said...

Penny, sounds like you know exactly what I'm talking about! I'm still in process with the image, just waiting for the wind to drop and the sun to come out so I can recreate it outside. I hope your frustration means a breakthrough is very close!