Mandala Self Portrait

An abstract mandala drawn with symbols that reference me and my experiences. For this piece I had multiple attempts to both meet the assignment criteria and choose symbols I felt strongly enough to choose as self representations. My final design became a centerpiece of Mt. Rainier, an outstanding landmark in my community and a representation of my love of the outdoors, hiking, backpacking, camping, canoeing, anything outside! For my symbols rotation around I chose a skull that references Hamlet, where Hamlet picks up the skull of Yorick and ponders the value of ambition and glory if all things must decay. a memento mori
The caduceus are a representation of my ambition and work in the medical field. I aspire to be a nurse soon and have been working as a CNA for years, a practice that asks a lot of you but gives you the most opportunity to do good of anywhere I've been. That opportunity to give back to the world and help as much as I am able is a good feeling and one I have been chasing for a while.
The heart dripping onto the sleeve is an one the noise example of wearing your heart on your sleeve, being genuine and forthcoming as much as you are able. This is a quality that honestly has a lot of practical detriment, but it seems to me to be the best option one has for navigating this world.
The barn swallow/sparrow contains a double meaning for me. The first being barn swallows, of which growing up on a farm always fascinated me and I find humility in their mud building nests juxtaposed by their finessed flight. Sparrows are of symbolic significance that I find value in- they represent everyday mans freedom. Unlike the eagle which expresses freedom through dominance, the sparrow freedom is in expressing their true self. They also symbolize loyalty as they mate for life and return to the same nesting grounds every year