Cindy, the Fearless Leader at the site, offers us challenges to keep us doodling happily. Most recently, she challenged us to incorporate words into our pattern projects. I balked. For two reasons. I haven’t been writing a great deal lately, and was comfortable with taking a break from that. Secondly, my ability to print legibly is not what I would wish it to be. But, I tried, lol. However, in the process of those attempts, I found a poem. And also a very clear concept of the wholeness to be found in creativity and its process.

Cindy’s challenge was far more in-depth for me than I had considered. I became fascinated with Mandalas about three years ago. I started simply by admiring them and the very real fact that they are a source of active meditation. I began coloring the designs created by someone else, believing (because I am somewhat mathematically challenged) that I would never be able to create anything of that kind. But, I spent a great many hours coloring those designs with Artists Ink Pens. Sometimes finding brief poems to write and attach to them. Those projects may be found at my poetry site, under the listing of Mandala Gallery I and II.  http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/

Over the past year, I have found writing more difficult, so I simply decided to go with the flow and took a break. I had already gotten involved in the repeat pattern drawing and was really enjoying it. But, then a friend introduced me to some fantastic things that can be done in Photoshop. Eventually, I found that I could actually design my own Mandalas, calling them “Zendalas,” because I was filling them with repeat patterns.

Back to Cindy’s challenge. As I worked through what I wanted to do, words kept dancing through my head. I simply didn’t know how to incorporate them so that I would like the finished project. I had chosen one of the Zendala template patterns, I had created. After giving up on my first attempt, I played with the results on Photoshop and found a different kind of patterning (something I choose to call ‘mapping’). And, of course, had to try it.

This is the template I chose to work with, using pen and ink, and Prismacolor colored pencils. But, as I said, those words kept dancing through my head, so I found a way to incorporate them that is satisfying to me and tells the story of my journey, thus far, on the path of my own creativity. Hope you enjoy,

Creativity Zendala

Words are window
opening door of mind
to world of knowledge
and wisdom.

Colors are a river
flowing through senses
deepening awareness,
while woven lines
create forms, shapes
of secrets hidden
in story.

Elizabeth Crawford  1/30/12

Note: This one I printed on photo paper, with the poem, and intend to frame.

Elizabeth Crawford  10/31/11

Announcement: This will be the last of the daily stones for a while. I will be participating in the November PAD Challenge (Poem A Day). I’d like to thank all of you who have visited and commented here. You might consider joining me in the challenge. My attempts may be found here:  http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/  starting tomorrow.

In my mind,
see him bouncing
on a tree branch,
pushing out his sound
in hopes
of being heard.

Elizabeth Crawford  10/30/11

It is no longer
as easy
to eagerly
lean into
the curves.

Elizabeth Crawford 10/29/11

Each and every day
is made better
by a moment
of stillness,
of simple
breath
taken in
then slowly
released.

Elizabeth Crawford  10/28/11

A friend
can be a rock,
a priceless gift
of giving support
when you least
expect it.

Elizabeth Crawford  10/27/11

Note: I really like Mandalas. Found a site the other day, that had a step by step set of instructions on how to make a Mandala from a photograph. Told a friend about it because she is far less deprived in the technical arena than I am. She brought back this image, which may or may not look familiar. It is the photograph of rocks, I used a few days ago, here on the site (Daily Stone #17). Wonderful, isn’t it? Friends can be such rocks, no?

Life,
like water,
whirls and swirls
around rock hard
obstacles,
finding a way
to sustain its movement,
eventually smoothing path
for even more
life.

Elizabeth Crawford  10/25/11

Sometimes
the simplest things
are the most
satisfying,
bringing
an unexpected depth
of peace.

Elizabeth Crawford  10/24/11

Note: A song has been running through my head for several days. It speaks of seeking out those simple things. You can listen to it here, hope you enjoy. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMxwaoR-Re8

Even Mother Nature
takes time out
to doodle.

Elizabeth Crawford 10/22/11

Elizabeth Crawford  10/21/11