Mandala Monday – Maple Leaves

The Maple trees are starting to turn here in the city!  I love all trees in the autumn (heck, I love all trees all the time), but the Maples especially capture my heart with their bright, vibrant colors.  🍁

I was out running errands the other day and came upon a stunning Maple tree.  It literally called out to me from across the road!  I love when nature interrupts the mundane with its beauty.  Half of its leaves were on the ground and the other half were still on the branches (that’s the best autumn tree viewing scenario, in my opinion), and I had to pull the car over and get out to bask in its beauty for a while.

It was drizzling and a bit nippy out (it’s been doing that a lot lately), but that only added to the autumny feel.  I must admit though, I’d really appreciate some sunny days to enjoy the autumn colors too, hopefully we get some soon.

I also collected a few of the leaves that were on the ground, so I could create a mandala with them…

I LOVE how this one turned out and really wish there was a way I could preserve it somehow.  But it’s its impermanence that adds to the appreciation of its beauty.  At lease I can take pictures.  😉

Here are a few I snapped during the process…

I can’t even describe how satisfying it is adding each layer and the little touches.  The process of creating a mandala truly is a satisfying journey.

 

And my little family joined in this time.  Once I finished mine (I prefer to be alone while I’m making them), my daughter and granddaughter came out to the garden and joined in.  Here is my (nearly 9 months pregnant) daughter working on hers…

She used mostly elements taken from my garden, along with a few autumn leaves.  Here’s her finished mandala…

And here’s my granddaughter working on hers…

And her “finished” mandala…

Her acorns though haha!  She’s such a dear heart! 💕

 

I just keep getting more and more ideas coming to mind for making these nature mandalas.  I wish I could fully convey how wonderfully rewarding and meaningful it is to create these.  Hopefully one day I’ll get back to painting them again too.

 

Wishing you a day of meaning and beauty…

 

 

 

✿~Peace & Love~✿