Mandala – Mandala-ish

On By ResaIn Guests

Check out this Spectacular Mandala by Graham Stephen of Mandala Vihara!

Mandala – a geometric figure representing the universe in Hindu and Buddhist symbolism.

Vihara – a Buddhist monastery and place of religious education.

For many years I have been a fan of Graham’s mandala art. Every so often on my art hunts, I’ll find something that is not a full mandala, but mandala-ish, and I think of Graham.

It was upon finding this mandala-ish paste-up with eyes in the centre, that I considered a mandala theme post, and dedicating it to Graham.

Better, why not involve him?

I asked, he agreed and said “Looking forward to seeing your collection of street mandalishes + 1 gowndala.”

Wait until you see this “Gowndala”! 

Mandala-ishes Collection

We chat with Graham as the collection is shown.

Resa – What drew you into making your gorgeous mandalas?

Graham – The intricately beautiful sand mandalas created by Tibetan Buddhist monks have long fascinated me.  After spending days laboriously creating those wonderful designs, with great non-attachment the monks sweep away the sand in an act symbolic of Impermanence.  

Resa – That is of keen interest to me, as the ephemerality of street art is what drives me to it.

Graham – So, about seven years ago when I happened to come across some mandalas online created from digital photographs, the thought arose that that could be a fun thing to try.  The best part turned out to be being able to lose yourself in the creative process. 

Graham – That applying orders of rotational symmetry to various real-life scenes of nature, architecture, and so on, should give rise to such an endless variety of outcomes is also rather satisfying.  And then there is the aspect of pareidolia — it can be fun looking for unexpected forms such as faces created by the new alignments of the rearranged slices of reality.

Graham – Digital mandalas may seem to be more durable than their Tibetan sand counterparts, but at some stage they too will, inevitably, be long forgotten.  At another level, and as with any image on the web, their existence is only fleeting — being reborn each time the page is viewed and then dissolving back into emptiness when the viewer clicks away…

Resa – You pair quotes with your mandalas. Are the quotes you pair with your mandalas inspired by the mandala?  ie: you have the mandala then search for a quote that works, OR do you have a quote and then are inspired to make the mandala to go with it?

Graham – Actually, neither!  This part of the process is surrendered to chance.  When it comes to drafting a post, the mandala just gets paired up with the next unused item from my collection of quotes.  Sometimes they complement each other, sometimes they contrast, and at other times there may seem to be no apparent connection — the unpredictability of the random juxtaposition is a bit of fun, with echoes of the “cut-up” technique of Dadaism.

Resa – Oooo, I love that!

Resa – Do you purposely take a photo of something because it will make a fab mandala?

Graham – Rarely.  In practice I tend to review all the shots afterwards when editing a series of photographs and select one or two of any that might be suitable.

I began looking for mandala-ishes everywhere, indoors and outdoors.

I have unfortunately been visiting a friend at the Toronto General Hospital over the last couple of weeks. In the hallway is a Mosaic Mural made from 10,000 tabs, lids, pins, levers, screws and connectors collected over 28 years by nurse Tilda Shalof.

Within the mosaic are several mandala-ishes . Those, and information on the mosaic can be seen in the slide show above. Below is the entire piece.

Très ish mandala-ish

Colour Swirl – Acrylic on Canvas – 1968

The above work of art by Gordon Rayner was hanging in a random hallway, in a converted warehouse/factory filled with artsy retailers.

The Most Beautiful Mandala … Ever!

Lilac Fan Dance is Thunder’s (aka Dale) dedicated Art Gown.

Thinking the texture and colours would make a cool Mandala, I sent 3 pics of her to Graham.

He chose the first one saying,

Graham – “as that one had a nice bit of plain background to the left to create a bit of negative space around the result.”

OMG! LOVE THIS!

Thank You Graham!

Visit Graham from MANDALA VIHARA! It’s a beautiful place.

Street art and indoor art pics taken by Resa – 2025-2026

Toronto, Canada

222 thoughts on “Mandala – Mandala-ish”

  1. Just one word…..HOW? The art gown mandala is phenomenal! How a photo of an exquisite gown turns into the mandala is…beyond me. Congrats and thanks to both of you for sharing.
    My attempts at mandala images were not quite as spectacular as these – however I may have seen a few lightsabers in Nurse Tilda mosaic mandala…..

    Reply

    1. Thanks Tyeth!
      Yes, that gown mandal is stunning. I am so honoured Graham did that.

      Many things can be found in Nurse Tilda’s mosaic. It’s a beauty. Cheers!

      Reply

  2. Wow, loved this intriguing and insightful conversation between you and Graham. This mandala-ish street art is just stunning! The rotation symmetry to real-life scenes that Graham talks about is fascinating stuff. I think this symmetry is what makes me really like this style, as it seems to speak to the soul, and also draws the eye in a mesmerizing way that’s intensely thoughtful and poetic, almost. I love your art gown mandala, Resa – it’s spectacular! 👗💜

    Reply

    1. Thank you Ada!

      I was thrilled when Graham said he would join me in a post on Mandalas (ishes)

      His work is stunning and his answers to my questions do go directly to soul.
      Yes… his mandalas are a visual poetry. You have said that beautifully, Ada.

      Thank you so much for checking out this art, and you wonderful comment!

      😘❦🕊💙

      Reply

  3. Wow! What a great collection of street mandalishes. Love it 💜 And that hospital mural is especially striking.

    ⬻𓂀☆♡ ‌ ‌ 🎀 ‌ 𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑣𝑦 ‌ 🎀 ‌ ‌ ♡☆𓂀⤖

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much for joining me , Graham!

      Yes, I thought you would like the hospital mural. I was quite moved by it.
      Please feel free to answer any comments. I see many are impressed with your art!

      ⬻𓂀☆♡ ‌ ‌ 🎀 ‌ 𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑣𝑦 ‌ 🎀 ‌ ‌ ♡☆𓂀⤖
      (back at you!)

      Reply

    1. You are welcome dear Holly!
      Yes, they are mandalas and they are gorgeous.
      I so enjoyed doing this post, and am beside myself with Graham’s Art Gown mandala.
      xoxoxoxo
      I’m down to 18 pics of NY to chose from, to send you. I’ll get it down to 6 -8!
      xoxoxoxoxo

      Reply

        1. HA! I got that down from about 50.

          I keep doing touch ups..and after I made that comment, I took a few more, just in case.

          I need to get my presentation to you down to a reasonable size! ❦🕊🌟 ❦🕊🌟 ❦🕊🌟

          Reply

  5. What is NOT to love about art and all its many splendored inspirations. You and Graham have teamed up to remind us once again why art matters so much. It makes sense that the mandala was created by those who do not wish to own but simply borrow nature’s graces. And that gown! Absolutely amazing!

    Brava! and . . Bravo!

    Reply

    1. Thank you dear Marc!

      Yes, now that you mention it, art is like money or any physical object. Even if you own it, you can’t take it with you.

      I suppose you could be buried with it all.
      Like your billion $$ art collection, that you hoarded, didn’t share with the world and refuse to donate/will to a gallery when you are gone, your mansion, cars, cash, etc… just dig one big hole and throw it all in there.

      Man’s need to collect “things” is an interesting subject.

      Does that make us feel more permanent in an ephemeral reality?

      Anyway, I’ve always been smitten by the ephemerality of street art, and the fact that some really talented artists do it, knowing it could be defaced an hour later..

      Thank you about the gown (Dale’s), and

      MUAH!

      Reply

      1. And that is the beauty of it. You must borrow and you do so willingly.

        That’s very Nazi like, which is what they did during WW2.

        I think it does. Mortality, the fear of it, drives people to do odd things. And to think you can take ANYTHING with you is odd, to say the least.

        These are true artists. I love them.

        It’s a BEAUTY!

        MUAH!

        Reply

    1. Thanks Maggie!

      I love everything about art. The eye candy, the meanings, messages, history depicted, social movements documented, styles of times…and on.
      And I especially love sharing it.

      Reply

  7. Such beautiful art, and such a fascinating discussion of the creative process. Art is endless and ephemeral.

    I like to think about how many incarnations the fabric of the gown has had, since I know Resa uses recycled materials.

    Reply

    1. Thank you Merril!

      Be still my beating art!

      The ruffles on that gown are from lace yardage I bought 10 years ago from an interior decoration supply shop that closed down after 40 years.

      They dug up stuff from their basement for weeks. That yardage was probably from the 80’s. I paid $2.00/yd for it. AND it was curtain yardage so it was 60″ wide.

      I made 2 other gowns using it, and this was the leftover scraps, that I painted with acrylic paints I inherited from Norm’s dad. The dates on the tubes were all late 80’s early 90’s.

      Love how you get me going! 💙

      Reply

    1. Violet,

      How cool that you are into mandalas. May you find many more to choose from!

      Yes the hospital mosaic is crazy amazing.

      If I hadn’t been caught up in this post with Graham, I would not have taken pics. That would have been a missed opportunity to look at a purposeful work of art. After all, my gown art is all about recycling.

      So happy to see you here, thank you!

      Reply

  12. Resa and Grapham, this is such a wonderful interview. What I love most is not only Graham’s process, which includes the rotational symmetry, the play with pareidolia, the surrender to chance, but the spirit of impermanence that runs through it. The idea that even digital mandalas are fleeting, reborn each time they are viewed and dissolving when we click away, feels so beautifully aligned with the Tibetan tradition that first inspired him.

    Seeing your Art Gown transformed into a mandala is extraordinary. The texture, the colour, the movement becomes something entirely new while still carrying the original energy. That feels symbolic of what you’re doing here. That is, gathering creative spirits and allowing their work to echo in unexpected ways. There’s a generosity in this kind of artistic exchange.

    Reply

    1. Yes, I too found Graham’s thoughts intriguing, full of intellect that I can relate to.

      The gown mandala is precious. I am thrilled. This has been a most fun project!

      Thank you, Rebecca!

      Reply

  14. A wonderful post, Resa. The mandala art form is new to me and I enjoyed learning more. Your interview with Graham was fascinating. Your gown mandala turned out beautifully. Thanks for sharing. 🐂

    Reply

  16. WOW! Do you know my jaw was so busy dropping at the visuals that I had scrolled to the end of he post before realizing I had not read a word. But that was a good thing cos then I got the chance to go back and look at it all again as I was reading. It is a brilliant post and I love the art gown. it is brilliant. xxxxxx

    Reply

    1. Well, now that is very cool. Thank you!

      Nothing like some good art to make the jaw drop… except an Art Gown, or a Shehanne Moore novel. (which are other arts)
      xxxxxxxx

      Reply

      1. Yir too kind Resa, xxxxxxxx But I was right down the bottom of the post when I thought… Resa never wrote anything, sob sob, and then I thought dinnae be stupid. And I was right xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

        Reply

            1. a wee bawbee — haven’t heard that for such a long time. Lots of expressions I don’t seem to use anymore: !ah dinnae ken”, “how no?”, “where d’you come fae?”, etc. Thanks for the reminders!

              Reply

  21. Well add this one to the highlight reel for sure. These pics and patterns are Trippy AF, as the kids might say. And the Lilac gown re-imagining is the icing on this most creative, collabo-layered cake. 10/10. Congrats!!🧘🪷🪻👩‍🎨

    Reply

  22. This is very comprehensive Resa … so many works of art. I went from being awed initially by the eyes in the paste-up, but the mosaic mural at the Toronto General Hospital by nurse Tilda Shalof was my favorite of all of them.

    Reply

  26. Simply gorgeous! I’m so glad you collaborated with Graham for this exploration of mandalas, Resa. Pareidolia, DaDa cut-ups, street and hospital art, and a fabulous art gown, thanks for this wealth of artistic endeavors!!

    Reply

  27. Wow, I truly enjoyed this captivating and enlightening discussion between you and Graham, Resa. This mandala-like street art is absolutely beautiful! The rotational symmetry related to real-life scenes that Graham talked about is incredibly interesting. This symmetry resonates with me, there’s something spiritual and soulful and the design is mesmerizing in a deeply reflective and poetic way.

    And the mandala gown… whoa!! It’s incredible! Love the colors and the ruffles!! I know you used a lot of recycled fabric, which I think adds to its unique beauty. Thanks for such a fascinating post, as always, Resa!!

    XOXOXOXO
    ♥︎ · 𑣲 · ᢉ𐭩 ·· ❤︎ · ❦

    Reply

  29. Resa, you and Graham definitely have imagined something wondrous! I enjoyed all the street art and mandalas and the colors. The gown you chose from your collection is gorgeous, so it’s no wonder that you two created a truly splendid mandala from it. Hugs.

    Reply

  31. Hi Resa and Graham, I enjoyed your conversation, the gorgeous colors and art work. It’s hard to choose a favorite, but the Mandala from Lilac Fan Dance is spectacular! All beautiful though! Thanks for this amazing post that screams “Wow” around every corner! 💜🩷🤗💫

    Reply

    2. Hello Lauren,
      Thanks for popping by!
      Graham has been a fun time, and I agree that the Lilac Fan Dance mandala is WOW!!!

      Thank you for this fab comment!

      ❦🕊 ~ ❤︎✾💙✾❤︎ ~ 🕊❦

      Reply

  34. Just a quick hello and thank you for the wonderful interview on such an excellent topic, as well as the beautiful and fascinating artwork of Graham Stephen.

    Dr Jung viewed the mandala as a profound archetype of wholeness, representing the “self”—the totality of the psyche—and a “path to the centre” during times of chaos. He described them as circular, protective, and self-regulating symbols of order that appear spontaneously during the process of individuation.

    He says, “A mandala is the psychological expression of the totality of the self.” “Make a round circle of man and woman, extract therefrom a quadrangle, and from it a triangle. Make the circle round, and you will have the Philosophers’ Stone.” “Our mandala is indeed an ‘eye,’ the structure of which symbolises the centre of order in the unconscious. The eye is a hollow sphere, black inside, filled with a semi-liquid substance called vitreous humour.

    Sorry for this lengthy comment! 😅🤗❣️💞

    Reply

    1. Love the long comment!
      🕊❦
      I also adore Graham’s art.
      Interesting & fascinating about Dr. Jung recognizing the mandala as an important symbol during the process of individuation.

      When I read your last comment, I could see my 3rd eye, from inside my head. It was a mandala.

      Thank you for this fabulous comment Aladin!
      ✾ ~ 🕊❦ 💙❦🕊 ~ ✾

      Reply

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