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Beautiful Mandalas Made from Nature by Kathy Klein


Arizona-based artist Kathy Klein uses a variety of organic materials to produce a series of eye-catching mandalas referred to as Danmalas–a portmanteau of the Vedic Sanskrit words “dan” and “mala” which respectively mean “the giver” and “garland of flowers.” Each piece in her ongoing collection boasts a brilliant sense of geometric symmetry and energetic life.

Taking inspiration from traditional Buddhist mandalas, Klein's danmala's use shells, seeds, pine cones, rocks, vegetation, and a diverse supply of flowers (including carnations, daisies, goldenrods, hydrangeas, junipers, marigolds, and tulips) to present a circle of symmetry. After assembling each visually enriching combination, she leaves it out for anyone to come across. There's a meditative repetitiveness to each creation that is both awakening and relaxing for those who discover her work in person. For the rest of us, Klein offers prints and a calendar featuring her beautiful work.










Kathy Klein website
via [Colossal]

Pinar

Pinar Noorata (she/her) is the Editorial Director at My Modern Met. She is a writer, editor, and content creator based in Brooklyn, New York. She earned her BA in Film and Media Studies from CUNY Hunter College. She has worked at major TV, film, and publishing companies as well as other independent media businesses. She also runs her own art & culture newsletter called The High Low. She first joined the My Modern Met team in 2011 as a Contributing Writer, pitching and publishing articles about a wide range of topics. Her expertise in visual media lends itself to in-depth analysis of varied art forms, including but not limited to painting, illustration, sculpture, installation, design, and photography. Pinar has a particular affinity for spotlighting up-and-coming artists, affording them a platform and offering a voice to lesser-heard individuals looking to break through, especially BIPOC creatives. She has helped multiple artists make a name for themselves and reach a wider audience over 10+ years as a writer and editor (both through long-form articles and short-form videos). When she isn’t writing, editing, or creating videos herself, Pinar enjoys watching films and TV, reading, crafting, drawing, frequenting museums and galleries, and volunteering at her local animal shelter.
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