I have had a hard time deciding on what to blog about. The choices are too many. I could have chosen to write about the numerous new product designs that I have recently published in my venues, FAA/Pixels and RedBubble and Spoonflower, or about some handmade works, paintings and drawings, still in progress. Or about the blocks and doubts and yet unfulfilled dreams I have encountered in my thoughts during this past month. But after some consideration this time I have decided to write about The Joy of Design Mandala Series Puzzle 8 Arrangement 6 and its metamorphosis into Blue Magic 1 and 2 and 3.
So, to give some background, since 2012 I have been producing a series of small square mainly abstract acrylic paintings on canvas that are all designed to hang in any of the eight possible directions either alone or in arrangements with each other. I scan these paintings and use the scans to create compilations which I usually call Mandala Puzzles. But when I get carried away with these designs by altering color and more I sometimes name them apart from the Mandala Puzzles, like in this instance Blue Magic 1 and 2 and 3.
But let me go back to the beginning. A while back I completed Arrangement 6 in The Joy of Design Mandala Series Puzzle 8. All of the Mandala Series Puzzles, currently 1 to 7 completed, each have nine altered images created with the same chosen 64 original The Joy of Design scan panels put together in different order and directions and creating a different image because of this. I still have three more compilations to create in Mandala Series Puzzle 8 to complete the nine arrangements. Then, more than likely, I will start building Puzzle 9 with another set of chosen scans.
There are currently 67 completed original acrylic paintings in this series and two more in progress. I am aiming at creating 100 handmade total, and maybe more. Time will tell. You can view all original works completed to date at https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/helena-tiainen?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=411161 and mandala puzzles at https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/helena-tiainen?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=396824 and more under any gallery or work that has The Joy of Design or TJOD in its title.
Once I completed and saved The Joy of Design Mandala Series Puzzle 8 Arrangement 6 I quadrupled it and also inverted both the original and the quadrupled version. I then proceeded to change the color of the quadrupled version and multiplied it further. This is how Blue Magic 1 and 2 and 3 were born, with the help of some great digital magic.
At this point I have published the Blue Magic series at FAA/Pixels and on Spoonflower. I just received the fabric samples and made these designs available for sale. I do not usually make derivative designs available prior to first publishing the originals they are based on, but this time something told me to go ahead and do this. So, I followed the guidance.
The images here show the transformation step by step. These works are digital and can be purchased printed on demand at FAA/Pixels now or in near future (on 11/13/21 I still need to load a few of the variations) and currently also the Blue Magic 1 and 2 and 3 designs can be ordered printed on fabrics and wallpaper at Spoonflower, where the printing process is eco-friendly and you can even order your prints on organic cotton fabric!
Unless I get compelled to share earlier, you can expect to hear from me again in three to four weeks when I plan to next share my experiences. Until then, stay safe and enjoy! And of course, contact me with any questions you might have or if you are interested in buying any of my original art for sale. To view all of my art in any medium, you can do this at https://pixels.com/profiles/helena-tiainen.