Mandala CCLXXXI, The Red Rooster

(Above:  Mandala CCLXXXI, The Red Rooster.  Custom framed:  31 1/2" x 31 1/2".  Found objects hand-stitched to the section of a vintage quilt. Objects include:  A red rooster trivet; red, plastic forks; small orange-red checkers on large, metal washers; ViewMaster reels; discs for decorative patterns on a vintage sewing machine; drawer handles; four, red aluminum "Smokey the Bear" ashtrays; Kodachrome slides; toddler snack lids; Grizzly chewing tobacco lids (upside down); keys; vintage pilot pins; white plastic lids; heart-shaped rabies pet tags; assorted buttons and beads.)

Some mandalas start with a circle of multiple objects.  Some start with the desire to place four unique items in the corners.  This one started with the red rooster trivet!  Designing it was a challenge to create balance with this very obvious and very red center.

 

(Above:  Detail  of Mandala CCLXXXI, The Red Rooster.)

To pull the eye, I immediately auditioned the ViewMaster reels because they provided high contrast.  From there, more items were added but I only designed the center before stitching.

 

(Above:  Detail  of Mandala CCLXXXI, The Red Rooster.)

 It wasn't until the drawer handles were firmly stitched in place that I addressed the corners and edges.  Thank goodness for the red "Smokey the Bear" ashtrays.  They are definitely vintage!  The embossed words say "Prevent Forest Fires".  Nowadays, it wouldn't be deemed appropriate to even make flimsy, aluminum ashtrays ... much less ones featuring Smokey the Bear regardless of the embossed words!  Time change.  Some "found objects" are now obsolete but perfect for my mandalas!

(Above:  Mandala CCLXXXI as seen from the side.)