Mandalas

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The design concept for these mandalas came from simple black and white sketches of spider webs. Creative play with scraps of fabric, ribbon, lace and fiber creates a colorful texture surface. The spider web is drawn very slowly on the sewing machine so that an individual can experience a healing energy from within. The beaded spirit figure keeps your secrets and heals the spirit.

In mythologies, the spider is found in creation stories. In West Africa, the folklore stories about Anansi, the spider is a popular figure. These stories later came with slaves to the Caribbean islands. Like Brer Rabbit, Anansi is a “trickster” figure – clever, cunning, sometimes mischievous – who uses his wits to make up for what he lacks in size and strength.Once upon a time, a long time ago, Anansi, the spider, visited the “Sky God, Nyame.” Nyame liked him so much that he gave Anansi the gift of storytelling so that Anansi could spin stories about life on earth.
Spider Spirit Mandala, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure, 14" x 20" © 2010 Patricia A. Montgomery

Spider Spirit Mandala, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure, 14″ x 20″ © 2010 Patricia A. Montgomery

Healing Spider Spirit Mandala, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure, 19" x 14" © 2010 Patricia A. Montgomery, Private Collectione

Healing Spider Spirit Mandala, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure, 19″ x 14″ © 2010 Patricia A. Montgomery, Private Collection

Spider Spirit Anansi I Mandala, Thread Painting with Bead Figure,10" x 21" © 2010 Patricia A. Montgomery, Private Collection

Spider Spirit Anansi I Mandala, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure, 10″ x 21″ © 2010 Patricia A. Montgomery, Private Collection

Spider Spirit Anansi II Mandala, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure, 18" x 22" © 2010 Patricia A. Montgomery, Private Collection

Spider Spirit Anansi II Mandala, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure, 18″ x 22″ © 2010 Patricia A. Montgomery, Private Collection

Spider Spirit Mandala VI, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure, 20" x 14" © 2010 Patricia A. Montgomery, Private Collection

Spider Spirit Mandala VI, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure, 20″ x 14″ © 2010 Patricia A. Montgomery, Private Collection

Spider Mandala VII, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure, 25" x 18" © 2012 Patricia A. Montgomery, Private Collection

Spider Mandala VII, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure, 25″ x 18″ © 2012 Patricia A. Montgomery, Private Collection

Spider Spirit Mandala VIII, Thread Painting with Bead Figure, 24" x 15" © 2012 Patricia A. Montgomery, Private Collection

Spider Spirit Mandala VIII, Thread Painting with Bead Figure, 24″ x 15″ © 2012 Patricia A. Montgomery, Private Collection

Spider Mandala IX, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure, 17" x 28" © 2012 Patricia A. Montgomery

Spider Mandala IX, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure,17″ x 28″ © 2012 Patricia A. Montgomery

Spider Mandala X, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure, 13" x 20" © 2012 Patricia A. Montgomery

Spider Mandala X, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure, 13″ x 20″ © 2012 Patricia A. Montgomery

Spider Mandala XI, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure, 19" x 24" © 2012 Patricia A. Montgomery

Spider Mandala XI, Thread Painting with Bead Spirit Figure,19″ x 24″ © 2012 Patricia A. Montgomery