Last weekend I went on my first ever art retreat. Run by two art teachers from Hong Kong International School the weekend focused on creating a painted mandala. A mandala is a xxxx

The weekend was extremely well run. All materials are provided with lots of examples and step-by-step demonstrations of each part of the mandala-making process. Everyone was encouraging each other and giving each other tips and help as we all got stuck at different points on our ‘mandala’ journey. As a rare chance to actually create my own art I tried to focus on the process ‘the journey’ rather than the finished product. A good job too as it turned out quite differently from my intention and was not totally finished by the end of the retreat on Sunday afternoon. I highly recommend this to anyone who feels like doing something different and taking a bit of time to focus on themselves away from the hustle and bustle of city living.

The studio space

Example mandalas

Example backgrounds of different colour schemes

Gorgeous iridescent paints

This weekend was a 2 night stay at a Lutheran Seminary up in the hills above Shatin. It was a peaceful location – very conducive to meditative painting.

Hall we used for our studio

Pretty Chinese style church

Small alter in the tiny crypt under the little church

Walking meditation labyrinth

Different stages of my mandala

At work on my mandala

Organisers Katie and Claire with the group’s finished mandalas

I liked how differently everyone’s turned out. You couldn’t say one was better than the other which added to the feeling achievement and group spirit.

Proud artist!

I was a wonderful weekend and I can’t wait for the next one!

You can find details of the weekend at Katie Flowers’ site: Wild At Art