Manhattan Arts Online Gallery member Lori Landis presents workshops on Rituals & Mandalas, including one in March, 2008 at the BRIO Fine Arts Center in Scottsdale, AZ.. Shown here is one of her mandala drawings "Building on Dreams", colored pencils and markers, 10" x 10". "It's a real pleasure to be offering a workshop focusing on art's healing and meditative qualities," stated Diane Sanborn, Director of BRIO.

The 'Featured Artist of the Week' at Manhattan Arts International during the past December, Landis won their coveted Award of Excellence in 2004. "Working with a mix of acrylic, gold leaf and mixed media, Landis creates elegant paintings in rich colors that speak of passion, strength and hope," says Renee Phillips, Manhattan Arts Director.

The Role of Mandalas
"Mandalas are circles where you draw whatever you want without any interference from the outside," explains Landis. "They were popular with the early Christians; nowadays Navajos and Tibetan Monks use them for healing." Lori sees mandalas as a way free oneself from all the distracting "chatter" encountered during daily life. "Using mandalas as a centering force allows me to be creative," she says.

Overcoming a severe handicap now in her mid-60's, the artist was paralyzed with polio from the neck down as a young girl. She regained movement in all of her limbs except the left arm, which is still paralyzed. "Also my neck and right arm don't have much strength," says Landis. "However, by painting flat on an architect's table, I'm able to get around that shortcoming."

Her plucky attitude was the subject of a Hallmark TV show, entitled "When a Maze is not a Maze, in May, 2004. "Creating art in the second half of my life is like being an entirely new person. The passion and the ups and downs feel like a roller coaster but I wouldn't have it any other way," stresses Landis. "I describe the act of painting as having 'conversations' with the colors; some 'conversations' are shouting matches while others resemble tranquil whispers."

Galleries, art organizations and critics as well as art collectors admire both the insight and joy Landis brings to her work. Her work was featured at the ASU exhibit space at Phoenix's Mercado Center last November and December. Represented by Oregon's Freed Gallery, Landis' semi-abstracts have been exhibited in Scottsdale and Telluride as well as New York City. A signature member of the International Society of Acrylic Painters, Landis has staged Valley art shows and been involved with Scottsdale's "Culture Quest" art tours. Her work is praised by publications such as "The Arizona Republic", "The Art of the New West", "Where Magazine" and "Jewish News of Greater Phoenix". Private and public collectors include General Dynamics Corporation Headquarters in South Carolina.

Lori's workshops offer wonderful opportunities for artists to gain greater focus through meditation," says Sanborn. "Lori is truly an inspiring teacher."

See more of Lori Landis' work in the Manhattan Arts online gallery.