Let It Bee

January 29, 2015 by solarbeez

Let It Bee mandala…watercolor painting by Vikki Reed.

My sister is an artist who loves to paint mandalas. She starts on a mandala sometimes not knowing where it will lead. It was during one of our weekly conversations when I’m excited about hollowing out my next log hive that she feels compelled to add bees to her mandala and changes the title from “Let it Be” to “Let it Bee.”

“Let It Be” The story behind the mandala

“Let It Bee” The conclusion

This is a short video showing how the mandala takes shape. No computer graphics either…it’s all hand painted watercolor.

Posted in Uncategorized, Videos | Tagged bee mandala, mandalaone, painting a mandala | 16 Comments

16 Responses

on January 29, 2015 at 9:42 pm | Reply mandalaone

Solarbeez, thank you for being part of the mandala’s inspiration and sharing the stories and video!!
- on January 29, 2015 at 9:46 pm | Reply solarbeez
  
  Thanks for sending the movie showing the progression. It’s fascinating!
on January 29, 2015 at 10:40 pm | Reply Eddy Winko

Loved the video, amazing detail, I have to confess I didn’t know what a mandala was until today. Sorry to hear that your sister is having to move from her gallery, although I didn’t read more than a few posts it sounds like it’s not a planned move?
- on January 31, 2015 at 7:23 pm | Reply solarbeez
  
  Hey Eddy, I just visited Free Music Archives and found out the music in the video is by a 24 year old from your neck of the woods, West Yorkshire. 🙂
  - on January 31, 2015 at 10:46 pm Eddy Winko
    
    I did wonder about the title, ‘Peaceful Dales’ Dales immediately made me think of the Yorkshire Dales, and now with your revelation it makes sense 🙂
on January 29, 2015 at 10:47 pm | Reply solarbeez

They bumped up the rent to the point where her longtime gallery owner couldn’t afford it anymore.
on January 30, 2015 at 2:17 am | Reply ladysighs

Just beautiful. Your video reminded me of watching Tibetan Monks make mandalas from sand.
- on January 31, 2015 at 7:49 pm | Reply solarbeez
  
  The Tibetan Monks would spend hours and hours on their mandalas, then destroy them “after they have served their purpose.” I never could understand that. 🙂
  - on February 1, 2015 at 3:34 am ladysighs
    
    The ways of culture are so strongly embedded. Some things can only be understood if you are raised with them….and don’t question them. lol
    I supposed we all have similar things that seem strange to others.
on January 30, 2015 at 8:27 am | Reply allysunshine

Reblogged this on Food is good medicine. and commented:
Bee You Tiful!
- on January 31, 2015 at 7:33 pm | Reply solarbeez
  
  Thank you, allysunshine. I’ll pass that along to my sister.
on January 30, 2015 at 10:29 am | Reply afrenchgarden

Beautiful art!

Had to check out what a Mandela was. Off to Wikipedia. Saw a part of the explanation as a microcosm of the universe. Made me think of a bee hive(?). Amellia
- on January 31, 2015 at 7:43 pm | Reply solarbeez
  
  Yes, that makes sense.
on January 31, 2015 at 4:20 am | Reply Emma Sarah Tennant

Just enchanting. I love Mandela – my friend Lisa draws beautiful Mandelas for meditation. I tried it once and got so easily lost in the pattern. I love your sister’s bee Mandela, I’m going to send this to our association to share with the beekeepers.
- on January 31, 2015 at 7:46 pm | Reply solarbeez
  
  Thanks, Emma. She will be happy it’s being shared with others.
on February 1, 2015 at 8:03 pm | Reply df

Absolutely stunning. I think the mandalas your sister makes are amazing and love the connection with you and your bees.