I work as a psychotherapist, often with artists, and display some of these images in my treatment room. From time to time my clients mention them and they become part of the discussion. This occurs usually when artists are talking about difficulties they are having with their creative process, sometimes even in a spiritual context. The combination of natural elements (the photographs of flowers, sky, wood, stone, or metal that these images are based on) and digital manipulation into the mandala form seems both to stimulate and to relax.

My personal motivation in creating this work, however, was to heal from a decade of both physical and emotional trauma. Subconsciously, I arrived at the mandala form with the hexagram — the Star of David — as its organizing shape. I believe my choice of the hexagram was no accident. In many traditions, this star, composed of two overlapping triangles, represents the reconciliation of opposites — male/female, fire/water, and so on. Their combination symbolizes unity and harmony. The six points of the Star of David are also said, in the Jewish tradition, to stand for God’s rule over the universe in all six directions: north, south, east, west, up and down. I have always been interested in patterns of light and color. Working with these forms by painting with light — the literal definition of the term “photography” — has helped bring me back into the light.

My aim, now, is to assemble these mandala images into a book, and I’d like your help. What I have in mind is a book of 52 images, with one page containing a flower mandala and on the opposite page a quotation that in some way complements the image. What I imagine is a collection of quotations, some of which relate to the flowers and their importance in literature, culture, art, and so on, while other quotations are simply thoughts or feelings the images evoke. I welcome, for consideration any and all responses, from single emotions that the images evoke, to poems or stories, to the wisdom of the ages, and everything in between. I will include, in the book’s forward, how I came to the quotes, pieces that are eventually used. Thanks in advance.

(please visit http://flowermandalas.blogspot.com/ for more of these marvelous images)