A Nature Mandala

My oldest son recently created this beautiful nature mandala for an art project. It's a truly unique piece that showcases his creativity and love for nature. He was mindful of not using too many brown leaves from the yard, so he biked around the neighborhood in search of a variety of colorful and different species to use.

The mandala represents the universe, with its symmetry and balance, it's a true representation of harmony and beauty. It's not just a simple art project, it's a way to connect with the natural world and understand the creative and controlling force that nature is.

To begin, select a central item that holds significance to you, this will serve as the "unifying center" of your mandala. This item can be anything from a small rock or shell, to a special leaf or flower, the choice is yours.

Once you have your central item in place, gather other natural materials such as leaves, petals, shells or stones, to form the rest of your mandala. Start by placing items close to the central item and then gradually expand outwards, building your mandala in a circular design. As you build your mandala, take the time to admire and appreciate the unique beauty of each element, and the way they come together to create a cohesive and harmonious design.

After completing the mandala, we took the time to admire it, snap a picture, and define the terms mandala, symmetry, and nature. We discussed the meaning of these terms, and how they applied to the piece in front of us. It was an opportunity for my child to learn about the balance, harmony, and beauty of the natural world.

Art can be a powerful tool for connecting with nature and understanding our place within it. The nature mandala, created by my child, is a beautiful reminder of this connection and the importance of preserving and protecting the natural world.