How I Discovered Dot Mandala

One of my first dot mandala stones, July 2019

So, you want to know how I came to dot mandala?  Here goes:

As with most creatives, I’ve explored many artistic outlets.  At different times in my life, I’ve been captivated by (in no particular order) needlepoint, sculpture, quilting, sewing, mask making, beadwork, cake decorating, mosaic, decoupage and painting on glass and metal.  And I can’t say enough about the power of doodling, too – it’s has gotten me through many a tedious class or meeting. 

I started decorating rocks through my past work as a hospice volunteer coordinator.  Drawing on my art therapy background, I facilitated a yearly art experiential at the hospice’s memorial service, helping the bereaved create commemorative stones in honor of their loved ones.  I found the whole process so satisfying; I loved finding the stones, preparing the rock “canvases” with paint, and then assisting people with the creation of their commemorative rocks.  With the leftover stones, I made kindness rocks, sprinkling them through my garden and neighborhood.  A co-worker, who knew that I was into decorating rocks, approached me one day with a suggestion, “You should check out dot mandala rocks.”  The recommendation seemed to come out of the blue, because we didn’t know much about each other.  But I knew about mandala from my years practicing Integral Yoga…and I knew I loved decorating rocks.  The suggestion felt providential.  I made a b-line to my office, googled dot mandala rocks, and fell down a rabbit hole.  I was so captivated by the dot mandala rocks I saw that afternoon that I couldn’t breathe (don’t worry…I wasn’t having a medical episode…I was having a creative epiphany).   This is what I was meant to do!!!   Dot mandala brought together my creativity with background in yoga, mindfulness, and stress reduction. Yes!

I began haunting YouTube and Instagram, studying tutorials by Lydia May, Liona Hotta, Christina Aine, Lucie Prosper, Elsbeth McLean, Summer Tan, and many others.  Thus bolstered, I started dotting with acrylic paint pens, and quickly moved on to acrylic paint with dotting tools.  Next step…practice, practice, and more practice!   I developed a mantra for when I felt the dot mandala I painted was “meh”:  I would say, “It’s just a rock”…and immediately start working on the next rock.  I still employ this same philosophy today.  I’m learning to trust my creative impulses, ever expanding my design repertoire, forever playing with colors, and slowly, gaining in confidence.  I appreciate your curiosity about how I came to discover dot mandala.  Thanks for reading!