Prairie Color Mandala

Prairie Color Mandala © 2021 Bo Mackison

Art making inspired by prairie walking.


I find walking in nature and paying attention to the details awakens my desire to create. Thankful that there is a daily walk in my pandemic routine. Thankful that some of the time I actually get out my paper and pencils and let the flow happen.


What inspires you? And what do you create from that inspiration?


I invite you to consider what might happen when you combine 1) a walk in nature with deep attention and 2) the intention to create a patchwork mandala.


I went for a long, unhurried walk through the University of Madison’s Arboretum, the nature preserve that pioneered prairie restoration in the 1930s. I noticed the layering of colors, rather like a patchwork of greens and purples, reds and yellows, and took a photo so I could consider the elements of the composition once I returned home.


Paper and colored pencils and a few hours in the company of Netflix…and this happened. October Prairie is not my normal type of mandala — I like fast and no plan — but I am well pleased with the results.

When creating the mandala, I let myself be guided by the patchwork of muted color with less emphasis on the details. I do hope you might be inspired to give this sort of practice a try. Take a walk in nature and then create a patchwork mandala, the marriage of attention and intention.

We create all sorts of mandalas in my online workshop Contemplative Creatives Journey. If this sort of creative practice appeals to you, you may want to check out my seasonal offerings. We begin at the turn of each season and create together in an online community for 13 weeks.

About Bo Mackison

I'm a photographer, book-artist, traveler, naturalist, and creator of the Contemplative Creatives Journey, An Online Workshop and Community and Desert Wisdom Cards and Workshops. Though often not well known, I find the desert a welcoming place - a healing space. Its mysteries and gifts transformed me several years ago. Since that first encounter, I return again and again to fill my well in what most people think of as a desolate region. I'd love to share my desert discoveries and wisdom with you. Please subscribe to receive my five part mini email course The Gifts of the Desert. It's my gift to you.