The Flower of Life
Pattern
The Flower of Life is an ancient geometric design, found in many world religions. It can be seen all over
the world in ancient architecture and art.
It contains a number of other shapes within its deceptively simple pattern, leading some to call
it the “blueprint of creation”, or the “creation mandala”.
It is a geometric pattern composed of multiple,
evenly spaced, overlapping circles, that are arranged to form a flower-like pattern with a six-fold symmetry like a hexagon.
The center of each circle is on the circumference of six surrounding circles of the same diameter. It is made up of 19 (or
more) intersecting circles, all of exactly the same size, drawn precisely with a compass. When drawing it, wherever
you choose to stop, you have already created the beginnings of the next circle, and the pattern is infinite.
When
we create a flower of life, it is a tangible reminder that we are creating reality right now with everything we are and everything
we do.
After the design has been drawn, it can be colored in or painted in an infinite number of ways. This can be
done by an individual, or as a collaborative piece that allows many people to participate. An integral an important part of
the collaborative process is that no individual can add his or her part without affecting some other part. In the truest,
most concrete sense, this form is a tangible representation of the truth: “we are all connected”.
Anything that
one person does, affects others, in ways that we might not realize when we act. This becomes apparent as we work with the
flower of life design, and we begin to see the “whole” emerging from all of the synergistic parts.
This is a
profound process, and, at the same time, it is a remarkably safe and non-threatening art form to work with, collaboratively.
It is manageable, as each person is responsible for only a “tiny” segment, and they can do something as simple
as choosing a color and coloring it in, or as complex and detailed as they want. Anything “works” within the whole,
and, as the piece develops, the amazing beauty of what happens when we all work together becomes apparent.
A collaborative flower of life piece is very
adaptable to a variety of situations. It can be created by a group, working simultaneously, or individuals can add it to over
time. Either way, each individual is part of a greater creative whole, and the healing implications of this knowledge are
profound.
Kathleen Horne
2007
| SCOPE community Flower of Life |
|
| Nov. 28, 2007 Donor Appreciation Event at Arts Center Sarasota |
Flower of Life Project
The ancient, multi-cultural “flower of life”
geometric pattern is the format for a number of collaborative art works, created by diverse groups of people, as a visual
arts-based tool for fostering interconnectedness and global unity. The first phase involves the creation of a
diverse collection of collaborative art works in the Flower of Life design, using a variety of visual arts media. Creating
these within family groups, schools, groups of employees in organizations, therapy/treatment settings, spiritual communities,
are some of the starting points Future
plans include the circulation of collaborative works, through the mail, between members of extended families, citizens of
different countries, members of different religious organizations, government officials, etc. Like the Flower of Life
itself, the possibilities are infinite. Geography and political demarcations need not be barriers.
| CIRCLE OF HEALING click picture for larger view |
|
| SARASOTA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL; ARTS IN HEALTHCARE; ONCOLOGY PATIENTS, LOVED ONES & STAFF |
Scroll down to see
a variety of Flower of Life images. See link at
bottom of page to get directions to draw your own.
| COLLABORATIVE PROJECT AT INNER VISIONS GALLERY |
|
| Community Collaborative Flower of Life......created at Towles Court Art walks |
This Flower of Life was created by the community at Inner Visions Gallery of Art and Healing. Over the course of
the March and April community art walks, we invited anyone who came into the gallery to add their colors and images to the
piece. Although we were met with many comments about "not being an artist" and "oh no, I'll ruin it",
those who stayed and added their part enjoyed, communed, risked, laughed, told stories, shared histories, visions, ideas.
The finished piece
is 18" x 18". It is watercolor pencil on watercolor paper AND MORE.....! keep scrolling......... This next Flower of Life was created by visitors to
Sarasota Arts Day, January 2007. At least 75 people added their "mark", image, color, design, to it. Stories were
shared; as all ages participated. It is colored pencil on black paper and the original is about 22"x30". It
can be seen at Inner Visions Gallery of Art and Healing in the Towles Court Art Colony.
| Community Collaboration |
|
| Arts Day Sarasota January 2007 |
Community Collaborative Flower of Life from FOR THE LOVE OF THE EARTH art exhibit Cortes Island, B.C., July 2007 colored pencil on watercolor paper
"We
are all connected "is a collaborative Flower of Life created by a group of women in a "Transforming Trauma
through Creative Expression" group. It is colored pencil on black paper. Prints are on sale for $25 at Expressive
Arts Florida. Proceeds will create a scholarship fund for other women to participate in this group when they don't have the
ability to pay.
Click image for larger view
| INTERBEING |
|
| Kathleen Horne Acrylic on canvas 10"x10" |
Quilted Fabric version of "Interbeing". Using digital photograph
of original painting, I printed the image onto transfer paper, ironed on to muslin, then quilted, embroidered, embellished.
| Flower of Life Quilt |
|
| Kathleen Horne |
| Personal Flower of Life Mandala |
|
| Kathleen Horne watercolor 10"x10" |
Marty
from Seattle has sent in some photos of a collaborative Flower of Life she recently created on a cruise. Scroll down for details! It is
beautiful!!
"Kathleen, Am
enclosing my latest flower of life creation. On a Christmas cruise from San Diego to the mexican Riviera 7 days
I always create a journal. In the middle I
made a flower of life and had only the crew members sign, color and put where they are from in the petals. I love talking
with the crew members and they LOVE coloring and being a part of my journal. We are all one part of each other.
Again I thank you for inspiring me! " Marty |
