24" diameter
The "Mandala"
Mandala - “a circular design containing concentric geometric forms, images, deities, etc, and symbolizing the universe, totality, or wholeness in Hinduism and Buddhism.” Webster’s Dictionary.
The Mandala is a sacred circle, symbolizing healing and wholeness. It’s been used since ancient times in spiritual traditions. There are innumerable variations on The Mandala.
I found my Mandala in December 2000 when I visited the Eye of the Needle in Sarasota with my friend Shirlianne. We were in the midst of our annual needlepoint shopping and luncheon outing.
As we were leaving the shop I saw my Mandala lying on top of a pile of canvases. My heart skipped a beat as I had found my Mandala!
Walking to lunch, Shirlianne said, "You're going back for it aren't you." I did go back after thinking about the canvas for only three days!
I began stitching The Mandala on February 12/01 and completed the piece on October 20/06. These dates are for those of you who like to know how long, off and on, this piece took . . .
I loved stitching this piece although it was very difficult to create and to stitch. It was an ongoing spiritual experience.
Perhaps if this had been an easy piece, I wouldn’t have been challenged to discover and learn in the process.
Although the design is symmetrical, stitching it had four directions to consider. The piece has a top and a bottom in terms of stitching. First I worked one half, and then I reversed the frame to reach the other half.
As you know, basic needlepoint stitching such as basketweave slants to the right. All images are stitched in mirror image. That means that the stitch direction changes on both sides of an image. The stitches on the right slant left, those on the left, slant right. That creates a smooth line rather than a jagged look.
The problems arose when I reached another quadrant and had to rethink the slant. The rules often didn't apply. You don't want to know how many times I had to 'reverse stitch' (rip) to get this right!!
I wrote in my Journal:
- Complete a full round (meaning a band) and don't rush ahead to see how the next section will evolve . .
- Be patient because in this piece, each preceding section will affect the following one as to choice of stitch and fiber . . .
- Rushing won't allow the piece to build sequentially . .
- I often had to stand the piece vertically and observe the progress before continuing . . .
- I’ve used Splendor silks, Very Velvet petite, Kreinik #4 and #8 metallic.
- The inner braided section is Diagonal Weave or Woven Plait stitch, stitched with Splendor.
- The outer blue section is stitched with Every Other Tent Stitch. This keeps the stitching ‘light’ and the background can recede. The painted canvas shows through with the identical blue, making a very wonderful effect.
Discoveries!
- Basketweave is simple, serene and calm.
- The Lowry Stand makes my work a pleasure.
- Open stitch background allows the detail foreground stitching to stand out.
- One strand of Splendor with one strand of Kreinik #8 braid, or two strands of Splendor with one strand of Kreinik #4 braid are a 'favorite' combination that I will use often. Splendor can be replaced with other silks or fibers in combination with Kreinik braid.
"The sacred art of the Mandala reflects the soul or luminous consciousness of the essence of who we really are", from the cover of the book, Mandala, by Judith Cornell, Ph.D.
>Click within the stitchings to see the detail images: