Artist: Tara Asuchak

Location: Alberta, Canada

Found on pages: 51, 141

Title of Art: Swimming with the Turtles

Materials: Canson mixed media paper 10X12”, Copic black ink pens, markers, watercolors, white ink on mixed media paper

Photo credit: Tim Ranson

Tell us about your mandala practice Tara.

Drawing mandalas is a form of therapy for me; I do them to clear my mind and to relax. Sometimes I just draw with no expected outcome just to release negative or unfocused energy. Then sometimes I have real intentions to my drawings and think about specific people or experiences. When I drew this mandala with the turtles I was thinking of my Grandmother who passed 11 years ago. She had always wanted to go to the Great Barrier Reef and she loved turtles. So this picture is in tribute to her.

Born and raised in Fort Macleod Alberta which I have never left because my heart is tied by my family, friends and community. I work as a family childcare consultant for a family day home agency and as an assistant director in an out of school care program. I have two children, 2 fur babies and an amazing hard working husband. We love to camp and spend time as a family. Find Tara on Instagram: taralmac

“The Mandala Guidebook: How to Draw, Paint, and Color Expressive Mandala Art” by Kathryn Costa is available from North Light Books.

Meet the other contributors at the online Book Launch Party.