GaiaStar Mandalas: Ecstatic Visions of the Living Earth (Paperback)

by Bonnie Bell (Author), David Todd (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Buddhist, Hindu, and Native American cultures have long used Mandalas as tools for meditation, healing, relaxation, and guidance. The intricate patterns of the Mandalas can simultaneously draw the viewer to the center of the image and spin the viewer out of the vortex, thereby centering the soul and expanding one’s cerebral boundaries.

Traditionally, mandalas are related to a specific belief system and are created by hand according to very specific geometries and color schemes. Artists David Todd and Bonnie Bell have taken the conventional Mandala to new frontiers, creating glorious visionary nature art with their own technique. Tradition-free, the GaiaStar Mandalas speak in a universal voice.

While investigating the details of nature surrounding their home, such as the shape of a rock or a pattern within wood, they became inspired to photograph these intricate parts of the larger whole: Earth (or Gaia). They then began further investigating their photographs by scanning them and making patterns with the digital images. The results were magical. An entire manuscript began to take shape (the sixty-four image GaiaStar Codex was published by Pomegranate Communications in 2000, as a boxed deck of cards), and a series of mandalas emerged.

These GaiaStar Mandalas are visually arresting and beautiful. Certain individual Earth elements are clearly identifiable; others are obscure. Combinations of leaves, feathers, petals, quartz, wood, fungus, crystal, rocks, stones---all present a dazzling intricacy and a magnetic power. GaiaStar Mandalas gives the reader the unique chance to examine the very essence of Earth, to feel a direct connection with the planet.

Product Details

• Paperback: 110 pages
• Publisher: Pomegranate (September 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764917390
• ISBN-13: 978-0764917394
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 9.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,603,696 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mindblowing Mandalas, January 17, 2002

By A Customer

I became enchanted with mandalas a couple of years ago while seeking a means to occupy my mind and hands while suffering through a rather nasty allergic reaction characterized by incessant itching. I turned to coloring with felt markers and especially enjoyed stained glass patterns. Many stained glass patterns are, in fact, mandalas so I progressed to mandala pattern books. I found mandalas blissfully calming which led to research on the subject and ensuing mandala mania. I've colored and seen a lot of them and can say without reservation this book has the most fascinating, breathtakingly gorgeous, engrossing and inspirational
collection I've ever seen. No, it isn't a coloring book. It is, rather, an exploration of the natural patterns found both within and without. I now itch for more.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Showcasing gorgeous natural Mandalas, May 7, 2002

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

GaiaStar Mandalas: Ecstatic Visions Of The Living Earth by print artists Bonnie Bell and David Todd is a simply beautiful, full-color artbook showcasing gorgeous natural Mandalas celebrating the beauty and harmony of our mother planet. Although there is a brief text introduction, the majority of GaiaStar Mandalas is given over entirely to breathtaking color photographs of superbly presented art. The rich, vibrant color and texture patterns inspired by a multitude of cultural traditions are most impressive in this wondrous and unique gallery.