Sky Mandalas on Paper and Silk
Goddess Dance (Repeat) ©2025
As I write the sky above is pure blue, and the trees are lit with the brightest green of freshly opening leaves. Life is of course always a mix of uplift and downdrafts, brightening and storming. I turn to nature — and the sky — for it’s constant reminder about the nature of change, and the beautiful paradox: the only constant is change. How interesting to explore steadiness within that.
In 2015 I began an experiment in contemplative, durational practice. What would it mean to repeat one creative action, every single day, for 100 days? I chose to take a picture of the sky every morning, straight up. No horizon, just sky.
After 100 days, I was completely hooked. I committed to continue daily for one year. At one year, I committed to a total of 1000 days. After almost three years, a 1000-day collection was complete.
How to express 1000 skies? The portal, here, animates a sample of the photos in chronological order.
After a time of experimentation, Sky Mandalas emerged as a new wave of engagement with the beauty of sky. I created a series of kaleidoscopic patterns from the original #skyproject photographs. (Click the images for more detail.)
I have printed Sky Mandalas as silk squares to wear or hang as artwork. I have sewn a selection into pillow cases for blissful sleep.
They make beautiful gifts — and there is still time to order for Mother’s Day, May 11. (The silks are printed in Montreal.) If you are in Toronto, you can find them at Frock Boutique, 97 Roncesvalles Ave.
Sky Mandalas are featured in the current issue of Uppercase Magazine in their Surface Pattern Guide (Issue #65).
I repeated the patterns at smaller scale, and yet again, something new emerged.
Thanks for reading and following along a long line of inquiry within changing constraints. I hope the three-dimensional sky above and the season of Spring put you in good spirits. May your creative sparks fly and inspiration flow!
