Expanded New Hampshire Mandala

I have added to the New Hampshire mandala.

Birch Tree

I continue to work on the New Hampshire mandala. I now have lupins, the gray squirrel, the Old Man in the Mountain, and the birch tree completed. The birch is the state tree, and I show it here. I am also including the lupins.

The series of state designs are a celebration of the beauty of nature; and the diversity of landscapes, culture, wildlife, and history of our country. We have much to be thankful for, and it is my intent that these mandalas will inspire an appreciation for all that we have been given. With the New Hampshire design, you will begin to get an idea of how varied the collection will be.

New Hampshire Mandala

I have been working on the New Hampshire mandala. In the center is the purple finch and lilacs, surrounded by the racoon and blue jay. Next, comes the white tailed deer and blue heron. The state nickname is the granite state. The next ring includes a fly fisherman with a jumping brook trout, and a kayaker. The state motto is "Live Free or Die" accompanied by a lady slipper and pumpkin.

Stately Mandalas Website

I now have a website dedicated to selling the wooden plaques with the state mandalas. It is called Stately Mandalas and can be reached with this link: www.statelymandalas.com Stately Mandalas will be a subsidiary of Traveling Mandalas which will eventually be international. I am currently working on the New Hampshire design and have another artist working on Maryland, and another on Massachusetts. I am enlisting other artists as well. If you are interested, let me know. I can train into the digital art and animation.

Arizona State Mandala Animated Video

I have completed the animated video for the Arizona state mandala. Many thanks to Daniel ML at Fiverr.com for composing and playing the accompanying music. If you need music for your project, check him out on Fiverr.com.

US States Map Update

I have created a US map which I will use to update the states as I complete their designs. Maine is shown in green, and Arizona in orange as they are the two completed to date. New Hampshire is next.

Arizona Symbols

I am working on the animated video to accompany the Arizona state mandala. In the meantime, I give you this summary of the symbols used in the design. Starting from the center: The Cactus Wren is the official state bird. It is perched on a saguaro blossom which is the official Arizona flower. The saguaro may be the most recognized symbol of Arizona. The roadrunner is the official bird of New Mexico, but I couldn't leave it out of the Arizona design. Above the roadrunner is the emblematic lizard. Next is the majestic mountain lion, and the howling coyote. The next ring has the Gambel's Quail, and the javelina. The official state fish is the Apache Trout. Also depicted is the swallowtail butterfly as the official butterfly of the state. Arizona has been nicknamed the Copper State. Copper mining is still an important activity in the state. Silver mining led to the development of Tombstone and other Arizona towns. The miner's helmet is another reminder of the states mining heritage. The Hopi sun mask represents the Native American foundations of the state. Navajo pottery appears in the same ring. The Apache, Yaqui, and Tohono O'odham tribes, and others are also important to Arizona. The prickly pear cactus represents the many desert plants found in the deserts of Arizona. The ridgeback rattlesnake is the official state snake, but I have shown the diamondback rattler instead. It is better known. Tucson has its diamondback bridge; and of course, Phoenix has the baseball team named after this icon. The bollo tie is the official state neck ware, and this one includes a turguoise stone which is the state gem. The state motto is: Ditat Deus = God enriches. The cowboy hat is shown in the same ring. Moving out, we have the official state tree as the Palo Verde. Shown with it is the San Xavier Mission outside of Tucson, and the iconic Monument Valley. The next ring shows a scene from the Grand Canyon including the Colorado River. A view of Sedona's red rock formations from Otter Creek is also included. The mesquite tree is not the official state tree, but nothing says Arizona like this desert hardy tree. The outer ring shows a sombrero, and Arizona as the Grand Canyon State.