All posts filed under: Practice

Torus Yantra – Rainbow Sphere Mandala

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The Torus Yantra is a fascinating pattern in sacred geometry that is drawn by repeating circles. In the examples above we see a couple of variations where the first one was created by drawing 12 circles and the second one 24 circles. Now, if we shift our perspective and tilt these mandalas with a 3d rendering, we’d get a design that… the HeartMath Institute says is the energetic pattern of our heart. As we reduce stress and open our hearts, our heart rate variability increases and this energetic field widens which supports our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. How cool is that? I love that we can draw and play with this pattern and connect with the energy of our heart in a visual way. One of my favorite ways to reduce stress and increase my heart rate variability is to create art. In this post, I’ll share with you how I’m playing with this Torus Yantra to create what I’m calling the Rainbow Sphere. There are so many different patterns that can be seen …

October Mandala Challenge

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This month’s mandala challenge is inspired by the beautiful colors of the Arteza fineliner pens and my fascination with chakras. Get the contest details and watch me draw chakra mini mandala art in my journal in this quick six minute video. How to Enter Draw a Mandala – Create one mandala or fill a page with several like I did in my journal, see video. Any Style – You may draw your mandala freehand, geometric design, or chakra inspired. Get creative and have fun! Only Colored Pens – No black pens. Use one color like I did in the video or have fun trying out different color combinations. There are many pen options like the fineliners that I used in the video, gel pens, even ball point pens. Outline Only – No coloring, blending, etc. Photograph or Scan your entry. Post in the Sharing Circle by October 31, 2018.Member log-in. Not a Member? Join for Free Prize & Coupon One winner will be randomly drawn to receive a set of 48 fineliner water-based pens from …

July Mandala Challenge

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Mandalas with all of their shapes and spaces lend themselves well for drawing repeating patterns. In this challenge, Kathryn Costa invites you to play with the design principle of repetition. Watch this quick video to see examples of how patterns can easily add detail and beauty to your mandalas. How to Enter Draw a mandala. You may also use one of the many coloring pages found in the members library of the Sharing Circle. Be sure to select a mandala with lots of open spaces. Get your entry counted twice if you create a mandala from the Drawing I course. Fill the mandala with repeating patterns. Color is encouraged. Scan or photograph your art. Post your entry in the Sharing Circle. It’s a free membership website for mandala enthusiasts. Join Here. Deadline to enter is July 31, 2018. Winner will be announced August 8, 2018. No limit to the number of entries.See Contest Rules Prize One person will be randomly selected to win a copy of The Great Zentangle Book by Beate Winkler Related Links …

Mandala Meditation: Ganesh Yantra

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“Where do you get all of your ideas?” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this question. I’ve been known to say, “Inspiration is everywhere.” I think I’ll add to that statement, “Inspiration is everywhere. Look around you.” Thinking more about this, it’s more than looking around you. It’s about getting curious. It’s one thing to see something, it’s another to ask, “Why?” or “What if?” I have a long list of topics that I’m currently exploring. I can never study just one thing. My mind loves devouring several topics at once and making connections between them. One of my long time interests has been in exploring the meaning of our mandalas. The colors, shapes, symbols, and how they are arranged can tell us a lot about where we are in the moment. There are long standing traditions where mandalas are created with specific symbols and colors. One such tradition that I’ve been curious to learn more about is the Hindu yantras. The earliest yantras date back 1,000 BCE in northern India. Throughout the ages, sacred …

Do you have a muse?

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All my life, friends, family and acquaintances have said, “You are so creative!” I feel like I can’t take credit for my creativity. The creative process may look like a solitary act on the outside, but it isn’t. I often feel like a creative conduit where the ideas flow through me. The best way to explain it is to share a story. Each month, I host an interactive online journal class. Participants get an envelope in the mail with a few items tucked inside to use during our time together. A new theme is explored where I work in one of the four elements, air, water, fire, or earth and I invite an animal ally to join us. The design of the envelope picks up on elements from the theme. Invariably these envelopes design themselves. Sounds a bit crazy, right? Read on as the story behind the latest workshop envelope may be evidence that the creative process is a co-creative act between the artist and something divine. For my next journal workshop, it was time …

Product Review: Arteza Watercolor Brush Pens

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Arteza reached out to me asking if I would give an honest review of three of their products: 48 Water-Based Ink Real Brush Pens, Water Brush Pens, and Premium Watercolor Paper. Run Time: 14:27 Related Links Color I Course – For more product demos and lessons on creating color harmony.  Mandala Drawing I Course – Learn how to draw mandalas. Ten video lessons, each one under ten minutes to get you started creating mandalas quickly and successfully.  Sharing Circle – I’d love to see you in our online community for mandala enthusiasts. It’s FREE! Arteza Affiliate Links Arteza provide the products for this review. I was not paid for this review. I’m now participating in the Arteza Affiliate Program, which means if you click on the product links in this post and make a purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I use these commissions to purchase products to giveaway in my monthly mandala challenges or to use in my workshops and courses. Arteza Watercolor Real Brush Pens (Set of 48) Arteza Water Brush …

May Mandala Challenge

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I’m often asked where I get all of my ideas. For this month’s challenge, I thought I would show you how I take inspiration and turn it into my own unique mandala art. The theme this month is Mexican Inspired Mandalas. Here is a look at my design notes inspired by pieces of Mexican folk art. Here you can see how I applied the design elements to a final mandala design. Watch the quick 4 minute video to get the contest details and to see the fabulous prizes donated by our mandala sister, Mary-Anne Betrand Schoenike. I can’t wait to see the colors, shapes, and patterns that will show up in your Mexican inspired mandala art this month! ~ Kathryn Costa Challenge Details Create a mandala inspired by Mexican folk art. For inspiration check out my Mexican Art board on Pinterest. Post a photo or scan of your mandala in the Sharing Circle. Not a member? Join the Sharing Circle. It’s Free! Deadline to enter is May 28, 2018 at midnight, EST. One winner will be randomly …

March Mandala Challenge: Scavenger Hunt Mandalas

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The topic for the March Mandala Challenge is Scavenger Hunt Mandala. I’m all about using what you already have to create mandalas. In this challenge, you’ll collect round shaped household items in various sizes to use as circle templates to create a mandala. It’s fun to look at every day familiar objects with a new lens. This challenge is to encourage you to play like you did when you were a kid. Have fun! Challenge Details Collect four or more objects that have a circle shape in various sizes. Do NOT use stencils for this challenge. It’s okay to use objects of other shapes for your mandala but you need at least four circles. Trace the circles starting with the largest circle to the smallest to create a progression of concentric circles. Use a straight edge to draw some guidelines and to break up the circle into four or more sections. Fill the circle with shapes, patterns, and colors. Use any medium. For more design ideas, download the first chapter of my book, “The Mandala Guidebook” at www.100mandalas.com/book …