Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Mandala #43: Hansa (Swan) for Kevin




















Mandala #43's ground is a letter that my artist and musician friend, Kevin, signed on June 27, 1989, when he was still able to use a typewriter.  He had been diagnosed with ALS a few years earlier and wanted his letter to be sent to his friends and loved ones after his death.  As the ALS progressed, his speech could be understood only by the one closest to him.  He died on June 25, 1991.  It was only after my friend, Deven (Kevin's wife) died unexpectedly this last February that I realized Kevin's major role in leading me to do a series of mandalas in recent years.  His final paintings were monumental mandalas.  Kevin and Deven were unwavering in their enthusiasm for my art work during a time when I felt inadequate and uncertain and lost in so many ways.

My goal once again this year is to complete 12 mandalas.  My first mandala was for Deven.  Now it is July, and my second mandala is for Kevin. 

Meditation on Mother Earth:



The Cart The strap that holds the cart in rein Has been let loose by wearing thin By wearing thin, by biting through The shift in power leans to you And the cart is on a wheel I've wept with joy for the things I've done And I've wept as hard for what I left undone For what I left undone For what I couldn't deem mine For what I thought was yours And so I drew the line And the cart is on a wheel And the wheel is on a hill I heard someone fall I saw another one flail I saw an arm dig deep Where there was no rail Well there is no rail And there's no 'because' Though the body be strong The Spirit is law And the cart is on a wheel And the wheel is on a hill And the hill is shifting sand And inside these laws we stand. If we are lives and souls to keep If we are Love, I hope we do not sleep I hope we do not sleep I hope we stay our ground Hold fast to the Mother as she turns us 'round. 'Cause the cart is on a wheel And the wheel is on a hill And the hill is shifting sand And inside these laws we stand. Hold fast to the Mother...hold fast.

(Song and lyrics by Ferron)

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

The intricacies of your mandalas are truly awesome. What do you paint with? Pen? Pencil? Brush? A lovely tribute, am.

ellen abbott said...

I'm trying to get back into art making on a regular schedule. Last December I was determined to start being more productive this year but alas, I've spent the first half gardening. art in it's way I suppose.

am said...

robin andrea -- Thank you for your appreciation of my series of mandalas. They are drawn with Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils on Bristol board.

Sabine said...

This mandala is one I will come back to again and again. Your work has so many layers.

I also like the thought that I spent my teenage years not far from where the pencils you use come from. My grandmother lived her last years in a retirement home across the road from the Faber Castell castle and used to walk daily in the castle park which is open to the public.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faber-Castell

37paddington said...

A wonderful, intricate mandala. Every time I look I see something more. Friends like Kevin and Deven who support your creative soul are to be cherished. This is a worthy piece in memory of them.

My life so far said...

That mandala is beautiful, even more so once I realized it was a letter written to you by your friend.