What does it mean: draw with intention?

You may have noticed in some of my mandala coloring book descriptions I mention that I've drawn the mandalas with intention. While this is true, it's a pretty meaningless statement without context. So let's talk about it.

When I say that I've drawn the mandalas with intention, what I really mean is that each design is created with a specific purpose or energy in mind. Drawing with intention goes beyond simply putting pen to paper, it's about channeling your thoughts, feelings, and desires into your artwork, infusing it with meaning and purpose.

For me, drawing with intention means tapping into my inner wisdom and allowing it to guide my creative process. And though it sounds ironic, when I'm drawing with intention, I rarely have a plan for what the drawing will look like.

The intention is not for the pen on paper, it's for the receiver.

It's about setting a clear vision for what I want to bring into the world – light, laughter, joy, peace, healing, love – and then translating that with my stylus through the intricate patterns and shapes of the mandalas.

Sometimes I draw with the intention of inviting a specific emotion or experience, (like My Heart Circles books on Valentine's Day) while other times it's about inviting a particular energy or quality, like abundance, gratitude, or empowerment.

The act of drawing with intention allows me to connect more deeply the art, and (bonus) always fills me with the peace and light that I'm hoping to pass on to others. (That's a large part of why I draw so prolifically, it helps maintain my inner joy.)

When you color one of my mandalas, know that it's been created with care and purpose and that it carries my energy and my intentions with it. Mandalas are a source of deep peace, comfort, and relaxation to me. It's my hope this gets passed to you.

As you bring your own creativity to the coloring process, I invite you to take a few seconds as you are setting up your colors and your workspace to set an intention for that coloring. Perhaps this will lead to an even more rewarding and relaxing experience.

I know it may sound a bit woo.

But it works for me. I hope it works for you, too.