I WAS BORN CREATIVE, but as a child showed little interest in drawing or painting. My parents who had met at an art gallery sustained hope I would follow in the footsteps of my talented aunt noted for her lovely landscapes. I, however, had other worlds to explore before discovering the beautiful and sensuous meditative art of Asia and Tibet as well as the work of Carl Jung, the eminent Swiss psychologist and artist, who introduced the "personal mandala" to the western world. Here was art with power, passion and purpose, the art of self-realization and enlightenment, an art form that caught my imagination and gave my life focus!

As I picked up my brush and began to paint, I became caught up in my own transformation to artist and healer, expressing this metamorphosis on canvas in Tantric symbolism depicting the sacred union of our inner masculine (compassionate method) and feminine (wisdom) principles. The mystical "yab yum" (literally father mother) is often mistaken to represent human sexuality, but instead portrays graphically the inner wholeness or balance we must first achieve to realize our highest human potential. This message is most relevant today, and I love both painting and explaining the meaning of my mandalas to receptive audiences.

My artwork borrows heavily from historic traditions in imagery, intricacy and technique but, like myself, is a blending of East and West beyond iconography or religion. I was fortunate to learn mandala painting in the Laguna Beach studio of Paul Heussenstamm, internationally known fourth generation artist and lecturer on "Art as a Spiritual Path." It is a rare opportunity for a contemporary artist to receive training outside academia in the atelier of a master. I continue as a workshop teacher and professional artist in Paul's studio helping to create magnificent canvases that are priced at several thousand dollars in retail galleries, and have my own Huntington Beach studio dedicated to Tantric spiritual art.

My Tantric mandalas are large--30 or 36 inches square, acrylic on canvas lavishly embellished with crystals and semi-precious stones, making a striking and unique presentation. Since they usually require six months in painting because of their exquisite detail, I prefer to offer smaller but superb fine art giclées on canvas or paper that are available to collectors at a fraction of the price. Digital images on pure silk are now offered as gorgeous full-size wall hangings or decorative squares and also "lap top" meditation pillows. My artwork has been displayed at Mills College, Esalen, Agape International Spiritual Center in Los Angeles, and Chopra Centers throughout the United States. Via the Internet and my website, I enjoy ongoing and expanding contact with Tantric mandala enthusiasts the world over.

Rampal (Nadean O'Brien)