Mandalas by Vikki Reed
The following mandalas are available for viewing and purchase at the tearoom:
Chakra Series (Giclees): 1. Balance, 2. Freedom, 3. Joy, 4. Healing, 5. Power, 6. Vision, and 7. Harmony
Vikki has been drawing and painting mandalas all her life, long before she knew there was a name for them, although, she didn’t consider them as pieces she would do for market, as they are so different from the other painting she does, the desert botanicals and landscapes, the work for which she is known.
A Feng Shui consultant came to her home studio and remarked about a large oil mandala over her fireplace, “These are the kind of paintings that people need in their homes.”
As she reflected on that, she began to have a vision of seven mandalas, in the colors of the chakras, stacked vertically. She did several simplified versions, called “Chakra Balance”.
The first mandala for the series came forth in September 2004. As the piece progressed out from the center, she knew the background would be green, corresponding to the heart chakra and “Healing” had arrived.
Quickly following came “Joy”, with its French Vanilla background, clearly for the solar plexus chakra. This mandala felt very magical to her and she began to get a sense of the power of these pieces. She could hardly wait to begin the next painting, which evolved into “Power”. This involved a great deal more difficulty than “Joy”. The vibrant turquoise background resonates with the throat chakra.
“Freedom”, followed with it’s glowing orange, nourishing the sacral chakra. “Balance” came very quickly. She felt guided in the color choices and very pleased with the result. The red background is stunning, intended for the root chakra and could also be titled “Support”.
The next mandala evolved differently than all the preceding as she completed the entire drawing and background (indigo blue) before adding any color to the center (which is where all the mandalas begin for Vikki). Again the color choices mystified her and she found herself questioning them again, but she kept hearing “trust, trust” and so she did. On December 21, 2004, “Vision” was completed. This piece relates to the brow (or third eye) chakra.
Before beginning the final piece in the series, she wrote “Unity” on the back. A dharma wheel composed the center. This piece seemed to call for symbols, a total of nine, including the Universal Star, a cross, the Om symbol, the eye of Horus, a Phoenix bird, spider web representing the Native American myth of creation, a heart with a path through the center and an angel. “Harmony” was completed on January 4, 2005. The background color is a deep, rich violet and speaks to the crown chakra.
Requests began to come in for commissioned mandalas, incorporating specific ideas into the designs. Tribute mandalas for two individuals, and a piece for the Alzheimer’s Association, were also completed during the series.
Vikki believes in the positive energy generated by these pieces. She very much enjoyed her part in this divine assignment and looks forward to what is next!
For more information about the artist or the mandalas see: http://www.vikkireedwatercolors.com
