DRAWING MANDALAS

Nicole Panebianco

For my project, I chose to design and color 5 mandalas based off the 5 stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance).  I have an affinity for doodling on myself, especially when I'm in class.  These drawings usually start as a small doodle that continues to expand outwards, like a mandala.  A lot of my friends and family notice the drawings on my body and comment that I should be design tattoos or coloring books.  Recently in my personal sketchbook, I've started drawing these mandala designs, so they are preserved permanently instead of being washed off my body later.  This was the inspiration behind my project.  I wanted to use the 5 stages of grief because I believe that we are all dealing with some sort of loss right now due to the coronavirus outbreak and the quarantine taking away a lot of life’s opportunities.  I used my art journal and markers/sharpies to draw and color the mandalas I created, and I used color and shape within my designs to indicate each emotional stage.  This project was very therapeutic in helping my process my emotions and also giving my mind a creative outlet amidst all the chaos in my life right now.