MINDFULLY FOLDING GOOD INTENTIONS

Here you go....a post that has little to do with mandalas except for Mindfulness, Moving Meditation,  and Art. Well that's a lot actually. And where it goes... :) spirit stole my fingers again.

Origami: The Japanese art of paper folding.

Recycling old magazine pages for peace cranes.

For many years when it gets to be around the "holiday" I fold paper cranes. I give many away with the intent of spreading peace and good wishes. I don't usually have traditional Christmas trees. Often I simply decorate with garlands of cranes or put the cranes on a ficus tree along with little colorful globe ornaments and cocktail umbrellas. It's not so much about the religious holiday for me. It is about thankfulness, reflection and new year intentions to go forward brighter and better.

Peace and goodwill for all. The CRANE means that for me.

This year I am in my own BoHoMoHo Boo *Bohemian Mobile Home Base of Operations* in Central Florida. I have no family here and few friends outside of my work at the art center. There will be no gifts to put under the tree again. That's just stuff anyway. My MoHo is uncluttered in the no chaos zen way that I like it. I don't need nor want gifts. The sentiment is the important thing to me. If someone wants to gift me something make it their friendship (that is an honor) and an excellent experience. I opted for experiences over material stuff decades ago pre-nomad time.




I have been cutting 5- 6" paper squares from old magazines and aged colored copy paper on my paper cutter and making the first waterbomb fold. I have many "starts" stacked in a container to easily take along with me. I can fold the rest of the creases myself and teach others. Spread and share the love. There are a few stories about the crane and its meaning. 1000 is a personal quest. I am expanding that to be a community quest of good intentions this year. More on that in another post.....

For now I just want to introduce you to this amazing young woman and what folding cranes did for her, her heart, her creative expression and more. The cranes can do this for all of us. Pay attention. Our next generation of creatives are the ones to bring change to our world. Take a moment to watch, listen and be inspired.

I am going back to mindfully folding good intentions. >>>>>

NO GUILT

I DID IT AND I LOVED IT.

AND I DIDN'T FEEL GUILTY AT ALL

I STOLE TIME.

FOR ME!

Last week's post's title resonated with me and I took it to heart. Friday was one of those 12 hour marathon days at the LCFA with back to back events from 10 am to 10 pm. I was so glad that I committed to going to a picnic Saturday at Venetian Gardens with a flute circle to switch gears. I don't play the flute. I did bring my drum and more to my abilities, I brought a watercolor mandala to "play on".

The weather was beautiful, the music lovely, the art inspiring, the people a good vibe and the wildlife friendly AND I had NO INTERNET. Darn that felt good.

,
It was no surprise that the following day a friend 1200 miles away posted a video on Facebook that spoke to being BUSY. I have to share the youtube link. Take the time to watch it fully. It is well done and with humor. You will be glad that you STOLE THE TIME FOR YOURSELF

PS: As I was waiting for my little art video to upload an email came in from Walmart. My double hammock and stand has been shipped. :) Yes - I plan on stealing more time in the future.

My trance art is developing quite nicely. I am still working the same amount of hours as usual but I am much less stressed. I even beat my drum today.

Have a Marvelous Mandala Monday!

Namaste y Saluti!
Chau 4 Now.

MANDALAS IN WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP

Thursday's Mandala in Watercolor class was amazing! What a great mix of students opening to creativity through the practice of mindful creation. The day simply flew by.

Here are some of the comments:

"Patricia Gilmore you truly are a gifted instructor. You inspired us with your knowledge, compassion, passion, and artistry. So blessed to for the experience with you, Joanna, and Mary!"

"Had so much fun! The people I showed my work to could not believe I had made that without a template. I can't wait to make more!"

We took a photo of Stage 2- after we lined out our designs in pencil (with protractor and compass) and then decided on which lines to curve (feminine) or keep straight (masculine). We used ink then erased the original pencil markings.

The choices of curves and connections really do change the energy of the mandala. There is no right or wrong. It is the yin and yang and what feels best at the time to you while you create. It is an inner and outer process. Mindfullness. 

We then compared the before and afters. Such fun. There was not enough time to complete all of the mandalas which was fine. It only extended quiet creation time to the home space which is always good. And needed. :) 

And guess what... the class happens again on April 5th. That's right. Make sure to pre-register with the hosting Leesburg Center For the Arts.

Best to register directly to the email in case the eventbrite link is not working properly. 

director@leesburgcenterforthearts.com

Space is limited and I will need to send you a materials list too.

buy tickets

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mandala-and-watercolor-tickets-41046452043

. 

Have a brilliant week!

MANDALAS IN THE WOODS - JOYFULLY INTENSE

What a whirlwind of activity. I apologize for not posting my usual Mandala Monday cheer for a few weeks. Many of you know I took on the position of Program Coordinator at the Leesburg Center For the Arts last January. Last weekend was our annual Art Fest with artists showing from all around the country, two stages of music, an indie film festival and so much more. The preparation and days of the event were insanely busy. On top of that, I was referred to do an emergency wordpress web build for a startup company. Breathe Patt Breathe.

So - ya - busy. And it continues with friends coming, garden and home renovations, blah blah blah. No excuses this week - as promised here are some images of the Create Your Own Personal Mandala event in the woods. It wasn't short of joyfully intense, internally and externally expressive and profound.

Many thanks to Maria Stefanovic and the LCFA for trusting to take on this event and to Christina Carroll of "Off the Beaten Path" Blog for documenting in images both still and moving. Yes Central Florida YOU ARE READY for these types of programs!

If you want to know more about what happens in this event look to this previous post for a full rundown of the schedule.
http://mandalaearthart.blogspot.com/2018/02/its-happening-experience-it.html

I can gear these workshops to older teens, college students and adults.  Limits of participants is best kept to 20 people or less and prep time is essential for scouting out an appropriate park/property that suits our needs. Meaning BOOK EARLY IN THE SEASON. ;)

IT'S HAPPENING - EXPERIENCE IT

Good Mandala Monday to you. IT'S HAPPENING THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 @ 10AM.

Have you registered yet? The link is at the bottom of this post. Check out what we will be doing...

The the day goes like this... We meet at the location at 10:00. There is a short orientation then we go on a very slow paced trail walk to gather "nature paint". Nature paints are items found on the ground along our path. They may be fronds, pods, sticks, leaves, moss, feathers, etc. It all depends on what Mother Nature has provided. I will be point out some "good stuff" for making mandalas as we go along. We end the trail walk at a meeting space where we each pick out a spot of our own to CREATE A PERSONAL EARTH MANDALA from our foraged treasures.

At this time you will be required to shut those cell phones off and leave them in a pile on the picnic table. You'll get to use them later to document your art but they should not be in your pocket while we go on to the next part of the experience. I will be doing a very special energy demonstration. It may surprise you. You will see why you need to separate yourself from your electronics at this time.

Next I will guide everyone through some focus and centering exercises including a mediation/guided imagery session. Yes we are getting into the ZEN CREATION ZONE. Now we will be in silence as each person lets nature create through them. Leave behind any plan. Just let it happen. Listen to your intuitive whispers. This is not simply a mental experience. Your movements make you part of the art. Your peaceful spirit infuses it.

When our creations are complete we will have a short TALKING STICK CEREMONY to verbally share our experience(s). Then you can have your cell phones back. You need photos! You need to document your art!

Earth Mandalas are temporary. Made in this way, with silence, in peacefulness and with reverence for the earth, they become prayers of gratitude and appreciation for our precious natural environment. The wind and rain will take away the designs but the energy will move out into the planet with each breeze and drop of rain..

Here is the EVENTBRITE registration page - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mandalas-in-the-wild-tickets-41434891877

And the facebook event link. Listen - I can only take a limited amount of people so if you say you are going honor your RSVP - prepayment is required. Be responsible.  

   https://www.facebook.com/events/1059633510840074/

I am looking forward to seeing you and exposing you to a new experience. 

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And next week I will be speaking at the Leesburg Public Library, at 2pm on Tuesday February 27th. I am facilitating an interactive acupressure workshop to help people stay off more medications and exercise their own personal power. The 1.5 hours workshops is... 

Drug-Free Relief at Your Finger Tips for Seniors

Module 1 - Memory, Mental Clarity and Countering Negative Emotions.

Free and Open to the Public. You do not have to be a senior to benefit from this workshop. Everyone needs help focusing these days.

Chau 4 Now

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

MANDALAS AS RORSCHACH TESTS - A LOT OF FUN!

I love positive energy! I love it when others participate. I have a personal facebook account plus the MANDALA EARTH ART FACEBOOK PAGE. Starting this month I began posting a photo of a mandala and asking others what they saw. I began doing it on a whim. I needed to title the painting and after I finished the piece each time I looked at it I saw something different. I invited my friends to tell me what they saw. And now I invite you. WHAT DO YOU SEE?  Please let me know in the comments. If you click on the image it will open in another page to help you focus.

Don't venture below the mandala just yet. Look first and make some mental notes before reading the replies of others. I don't want you to be influenced. Come on...WHAT DO YOU SEE?

 CLICK THE IMAGE

THEN COME BACK

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Did you find some interesting things? These are some of the comments others made.

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PATT: No one sees a CUPCAKE? Cosmic tribal village with YURTS?

* patriii... !!!! son preciosos! !

* Strawberry Ice cream for four? But also I see yellow fish heads with a blue eye, mouth open. And it gives me a feeling of Fertility and G-d knows it's been a long time since I felt that! LOL

* Bikini bottoms from the back..cyclops, the Eiffel Tower, a sad dog with pink ears...I can keep going.

PATT: Carl G Jung would love this.

* Still looking for the sad dog.....

*Well, it is sort of bowwowtik!

*I see something from another world.

PATT: Well that would describe my unconscious mind. When I first started I saw bunny ears for Easter but as usual it turned into something else fun.

* I see fish jumping and flowers twirling. I love the way it moves!!! And the fibonacci swirls. Beautiful!!!

* Bird heads.

* I am seeing a funky beetle. His mouth is at the mandala'center and he has yellow scales and a pink bum.

This was so much fun that I decided to do it again for MANDA-LOGICAL MONDAY on the FACEBOOK PAGE.

Carl G. Jung drew mandalas and also had his patients do the same. He believed that the images gave insight to the unconscious mind. It is not that I want you to analyze me (insert snicker), I want to engage you to SEE. Consider this a fun Rorschach (inkblot) test. You never heard of inkblot tests? This is a short explanation and you can google more.

Hermann Rorschach's INKBLOT TEST (from biography.com)

"In 1917, Rorschach became aware of Swiss psychiatrist Szyman Hens' studies using inkblot cards to analyze patients' fantasies. Rorschach was also influenced by his acquaintance and contemporary, Carl Jung, who was using word association tests to tap into the unconscious mind. Rorschach combined his interests in psychoanalysis and art to create his own controversial "Rorschach inkblot test." He was the first researcher to use inkblots to analyze how patients projected their own associations onto seemingly random stimuli."

So have a look. WHAT DO YOU SEE? Again resist the urge to read what others saw before making your own observations. Click the image of the mandala to open it in a separate window, note what you see and then come back.

CLICK THE IMAGE

THEN COME BACK

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So what did you see? Several things in little pockets or a bigger overall view? Below are the FACEBOOK comments of others.

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* Sand dollar.

* They are all looking 3D lately. Almost like a diamond in a setting.

* Why does it look like a pizza to me?

PATT: I see propellers, records (jukebox), fish heads, bird beaks, geese in flight....

* I'm sorry...I see a spaceship...from the beginning.

PATT: Like it is hovering above you.

* It's a purple sand dollar.

* From when you first showed it it makes me feel like it is a spaceship from a really cool place.

* It is like a combination of a sand dollar and a fat star fish. Both calling from the beach.

* It looks like a concert tent (a very very big one).

PATT: Oh that's cool. I think I am seeing it - from overhead like a stadium and the records are being tossed out to the audience seating.

* Actually they are not records, they are special theme lighting which we only see the top of ...

* Gorgeous. The colours and design really pop!!

PATT: Awesome view from the rafters.

* And I can hear the sound coming out -"....!!! ... and let me introduce to you, ..the ONE AND ONLY BILLY SHEARS... Sergeant Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Bandandahahand.....

*Tent over a large pool with the top middle rolled back so you can see the synchronized kayakers. 

* Butterfly umbrella! What do I win?

YOU ALL WIN!

YOU JUST HAD FUN AND EXERCISED YOUR CREATIVE MIND!

Please post your observations in the comments, LIKE the FACEBOOK PAGE and SUBSCRIBE to this BLOG >>>>> upper right portion of this page.

Until next time..... ENJOY THE VIEW!

IF A TREE FALLS IN THE FOREST...

"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"
The other day I was in an area of Buenos Aires known as Lago de Regatas. I was on my way to an ART SHARE meeting and took extra time to walk around the lake and look for items to forage. I settled on a spot and let the energy express itself.

The following day I posted the below photo on my personal facebook page and it began a lovely thread. I am taking the liberty to put some of the comments here.

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Your artwork with my morning coffee. Makes me smile!

Fantastic! Thank you for the wonderful feedback. Art is meant to be shared. Otherwise it is the tree falling in the woods... does it make a sound if no one hears it?

Does art have meaning if it is not seen?

I believe that Patt's art has meaning, even if not seen, and deep in the forest. Having worked with the Earth's energy for many years, I know she is creating power spots and opening portals with particular vibrations with each mandala that she creates. This one, I feel, is for combining the female and male in each individual...those who need it will be drawn to this spot long after the creation has disappeared.

 I'm getting a fertility vibe from this one.

It feels very healing. just sent a copy to a friend who is struggling with cancer. I hope that's ok!! It truly brings me a feeling of peace.

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It is so wonderful to have feedback. Between the ART SHARE group meeting where I shared photo images of my work and the history of how I began to make earth art and the feedback on my personal facebook page I am once again juiced.

THE MALE VERSION?

I invite you to leave comments here on the blog and also to subscribe. Look to the right side bar for the FOLLOW BY EMAIL - SUBSCRIBE field and insert your email address. Each time I make a new post you will receive notification in your email inbox.

Soon I will be creating a separate YOUTUBE CHANNEL and FACEBOOK PAGE for this joyful and healing artwork. Please share the blog and it's images and messages to those in need of an energetic boost in their day.

Thank You.

777 ROCK HEARTS

I took a little break from the big city of Buenos Aires and headed over the river to calming Uruguay for a week. I spent the majority of my time climbing up and down the hills in and around the coastal town of Piriapolis. I had fantastic weather and had hoped to make some nature mandalas in the hills but this year the season is very dry and except for the eucalyptus leaves there was little to forage from the ground. I did however hike along the rocky coast and created a few mandalas out of mussel shells.

On the last night in town I meet up with an old friend and we went to see Guillermo Busch's art exhibition "777 Piedras Corazon" (777 Rock Hearts). He has been gathering heart-shaped rocks, stones and pebbles for many years. Spirit surely inspires and guides this artist. I especially loved the installments that looked into little environments of colors, light and shapes. What a lovely sense of whimsy and love of nature. I feel so happy that I went to the exhibit. I was allowed to take photos and I am including my favorites below. I have watermarked them. I thought to make Valentine's Day cards out of them as tomorrow is that LOVEly day but today it seemed a bit schmaltzy so I am leaving them as I shot them - perfect!

 

 

If you are in the area check out the show. It is at the

Pabellón de las Rosas

Until next time - Let Nature and Art Recreate You.
WIFI NOT NEEDED!

Stay tuned for more information about Meditation and Mandala Making Workshops coming in New England's late spring. After all that snow melts.

DID THE PATRIOTS MAKE ME HOMESICK?

CONGRATULATIONS PATS - WELL DONE :) The New England Patriots won another Super Bowl last night. I caught the game at a local watering hole here in San Telmo. I am still searching for my physical voice this morning.

I have been busy making mandalas and playing in the few natural spaces here in the area. In just two days I head off to Uruguay for a week. I am hoping for great weather as the last few times I have visited things were pretty rained out, such as roads! There is a town on the coast named Piriapolis with a big hill called the Cerro San Antonio. I hope to climb up it. I will tell you of the legend in a future post. Wish me some dry days to get to the top. In the meantime, here are some pretty little mandalas made on the costanera sur here in Buenos Aires. I have also entered them in the NATURE GALLERY page (link in the right side bar).

EUCALYPTUS LEAVES & SYCAMORE SEED PODS

Below one of the elements I happily found were leaves from the Tulip Tree. The first time I knowingly encountered a tulip tree was at Borderland State Park in Easton, MA where I created the seven foot mandala art installation last fall. There's one tree on the main trail by the farm house and another by the Ames Mansion. Check them out if you live nearby. Bring snowshoes or cross country skis. Actually you better wait. It is s deciduous tree. You would have a hard time finding the trees without their distinctive leaves or tulip like flowers. 

 

I admit that I have been - hmmm - not sure if this is the correct word or not - HOMESICK for my native New England woods but in all practicality they are under snow and more is on the way. Please hold up the fort for me and watch your back. Warm up those muscles before and after you shovel!

I will be back soon, after the melt!

Need some help with that back? Check out my other blog for my private practice and workshops. This is a post to help you with that back spasm. Click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by! Hasta Pronto - Until Soon.

RE-MEMBER WITH YOUR DREAMS

I WANT TO TAKE THIS MOMENT TO WISH EVERYONE

A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON. 

GREETINGS FROM BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

FLOWERS FROM THE COCKSPUR CORAL TREE

THE NATIONAL TREE OF ARGENTINA

RE-MEMBER WITH YOUR DREAMS

We are a week away from 2015.  People are making resolutions, goals, plans and reviewing past desires. Just a few minutes ago while walking the streets of Buenos Aires coming back from the bakery with a package of yummy things, I smiled bright inside and out re-membering something far sweeter than the pastries in my bag.  I had one of those quick playful nudges and an AH HA moment.  "Haaa - I am living it - again."  No, not deja vu.  I was plunged into the memory and the present moment at the same time.  You see when I was 23 years old I had a life dream and I put that dream aside for many years.  Now I live it.



 TIMBO OR EARPOD TREE



In 1980 while traveling Europe with a backpack I made a statement to myself (and the Universe but people didn't use that phrase back then).  I stated that in this lifetime I wanted to live in a foreign country and learn a second language. Well as they say, "life happens" and for many years I dis-membered myself from my dream.  I had taken it out of my day to day, month to month and year to year thoughts yet my soul never forgot.  And then in 2005 at age 48 I made a major shift.

I didn't make the shift through major action.  That came later.  First I re-connected to the deepest parts of me through meditation and quiet alone time.  Soon the signals, connections, emotional and mental breakthroughs spontaneously appeared.  I ended up in Argentina on a solo five week vacation and while out west in the canyons I felt a deep core connection to the country.  I moved to Buenos Aires (the Paris of the South) in 2006 and lived here full time until 2012.  I now visit whenever possible. I speak Spanish and totally love living a European lifestyle.  I am so happy that I listened to my inner guidance and opened myself up to the synchronicities.

JACARANDA SEED PODS AND FLOWERS

JACARANDA AND TIPA FLOWERS

Can constructing or drawing mandalas help you to re-connect too?   Absolutely!   Imagine your mind as a peaceful flowing stream free of negative chatter.  How wonderful would that be?  As a therapist and teacher of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Hypnotherapy I ask my students to imagine a simple garden hose.  When the spigot is off and no water is flowing out it is easy to fill the hose up with pebbles and dirt.  But when the valve is open and the water is flowing out nothing else can go in. The same is with your mind.  Turn on the spigot of creativity and of the FLOW and the entire being, body, mind and spirit experiences wonderful positive energy.  In that flowing stream lies messages just for you.  You just need to turn it on and get the dirt out of your ears.


I am setting up new international workshops for 2015.  Please email me and I will notify you when the next workshop is scheduled.  gilmore444 @ gmail.com My therapies/workshop website is BEBEST.COM  I will be posting a 2015 schedule soon.

SALUTI!





TIMBO OR EARPOD TREE

TRANSITIONING

I arrived safely to Buenos Aires on Tuesday morning and am adjusting once again.  I am out of the woods and into city life.  Here there are many parks and most are kept meticulously clean of foraging materials but yesterday I did cross through a small park where tipa trees had shed their flowers and workmen had not yet swept them away.

I think it will take me another week to get into FULL BLOOM energetically and be more in the rhythm of city life but for now here is a quickie tipa mandala.  The winds kept the heat down yesterday but it meant that I had to work fast. I am hoping for continued breeziness today and tomorrow as my air conditioning just decided to go on vacation until Thursday.  Well - one needs to be like the bamboo - FLEXIBLE.  Yes grasshoppers - be like the bamboo.  Everything is easier that way.

I am closing with this photo. In my wanderings by the Ecological Reserve I discovered that on Sunday mornings there is an outdoor meditation gathering where you can be guided while communing with nature.  I'm IN.  Come join me if you are local.  I live close by and bring sunscreen and repellant!

Back to transitioning.  NAMASTE and ENJOY!


Stay tuned.....

ART SALE TO BENEFIT PEDIATRIC CANCER

Yesterday I dropped off five framed mandalas at a gorgeous home in Needham where there will be an OPEN HOUSE on Saturday and Sunday - October 25th and 26th.  Ten artists will be showing their work.  All pieces are for sale and portions of the proceeds will go to benefit kids with cancer.

As I post this it is Saturday and the weather is fantastic.  The property is on the banks of the Charles River.  I will be heading over there this afternoon and would love to see you.  You will find me on the deck drawing in the sun.

OPEN HOUSE & ART SALE

170 WHITMAN RD

NEEDHAM, MA

SAT & SUN - OCT 25 & 26

1-4 PM

STOP BY AND SAY HELLO!

HAPPY HAPPY GREEN GREEN

Today Sr. Benito and I went to Borderland State Park to take apart the 7' Ames Mansion Mandala. The National Art Show closed yesterday.  Before de-constructing the mandala I had the good sense to check in at the state park visitor's center and ask the park's superintendent "Would you rather I left it for awhile?"  The answer was a resounding YES!  So many people have loved it and it is still in pretty good shape.  It definitely has survived well for being uncovered with a few days of rain.  The park staff will dismantle it when it gets too scruffy.  I am pleased.

This means you still have a chance to see the mandala and pick up on some of its good vibe.  The pokeweed has faded but the moss is really happy happy green green.  It would have hurt me to tear it away from its happy place right now.  And no - I did not touch up this photo.  You see it here as I shot it.  HAPPY HAPPY GREEN GREEN

The week ahead is a busy one. I will be checking in soon with some new nature art either from the out-of-doors or a sketch pad or maybe with a surprise.  Enjoy your week!!!

BUSY BEE IN A GUST OF OCTOBER WIND

Autumn is here and this year's dry weather is resulting in the leaves falling from the trees more quickly than usual.  The colored foliage will soon disappear and so will I, but just from the area.  I will fly like a snowbird from New England to South America this year.

In the coming weeks I have many original drawings and photographic prints to crop and frame. Some will come along with me for art patrons in Buenos Aires and Lima and others stay in the USA for spring shows.  I will have a full list of artwork available later in October.  OMGoodness, October is two days away!  Time will now feel like a big gust of wind whisked it away.  WOOOOOOOSH.

Onward >>>>

Posted here are a few drawings that should be framed by the middle of next week.  All renderings are 6.5 inches and perfect for an 8" x 8" frame or 8" x 10" mat.  The first mandala is aptly named Busy Bee.  If you quiet down enough you can actually hear it buzz. :)

BUSY BEE

WATER COLOR WITH COLORED AND METALLIC PERMANENT INK

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The below mandala is a spin off of the FLOWER OF LIFE traditional pattern.  I lay in many geometric guidelines then remove several to uncover the energy of each mandala.

SIX POINT STARFLOWER

COLORED AND METALLIC PERMANENT INK

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ESTRELLA DE LA SUERTE

(LUCKY STAR)

COLORED AND METALLIC PERMANENT INK

This is just a sampling.  I have a number of nature mandala photographic prints awaiting framing in the next few weeks as well.  I will be posting to the blog when they are ready.  Stay tuned...

Hasta Pronto

Paty

gilmore444   @    gmail.com