Shynar is an artist for whom creativity has become the meaning of life and an inexhaustible source of inspiration. She creates transformational mandalas on canvas, harmoniously blending the energy of sacred geometry with the ancient art of the nomads. We spoke with her about her journey, the power of art therapy, and the secret to the "vitality" of her paintings.
Creativity has become the meaning of life for you. When exactly did this realization come?
Creativity has always been something constantly present in my life. Every day I was enveloped in it. Since childhood, it was dancing, music, drawing, skits, acting performances. Then creativity became a way of life — in cooking, choosing clothes, home accessories, interior design. But at one point in my life, I felt the need for drawing therapy. And then creative thinking was engaged, and I wanted to give this therapy to others. This is how my transformational mandala-style paintings appeared.
Your inspiration is inexhaustible. Where do you draw new ideas for your mandalas from? Are there any special rituals or places that inspire you?
Inspiration comes when you feel creative energy, especially after meditation and when you dive into yourself.
The art of the nomads influenced your work. How exactly is this ancient culture reflected in your mandalas?
We are all from the past; the traces of our ancestors are reflected in our DNA. And when we engage in creativity, those very traces wake up. Every time I start work, ornaments surface that must be depicted specifically on this painting.
Your paintings are messages. What main ideas or emotions do you strive to convey to viewers through your works?
Mandala translates from Sanskrit as “circle.” For a person, a circle is the mother’s womb, the eyes of the soul (eyes are also round), we live on planet Earth, which is also round. As world psychologists have researched, the human psyche also has a shape, and it is a circle. Therefore, the mandala has a round symmetrical pattern. And each color and pattern hits the most capacious place of the human psyche. I use the colors of the chakras and thereby awaken the chakras in a person that are sleeping. The messages can be different: abundance, growth, health, love, etc.
What exactly attracted you to art therapy, and how did studying at the "International School of Art Therapy" influence your understanding of art?
In general, working with people inspires one to grow, study something new, new techniques. And in art therapy, I found many interesting and working techniques, such as mandala and Tarot. And the International School of Art Therapy gave a lot of information and experience in this area and helped me understand that art can heal souls.
You believe in the power of art therapy for self-knowledge and harmony. What specific results have you observed in the women who participated in your master classes?
Absolutely, I believe and see it. All participants of my master classes and consultations experienced the very creative energy that can inspire them to live a different, beautiful, and harmonious life. Many started looking differently at their problems, emotions, or tasks that tormented them. And overall, they changed their attitude toward their lives. They became more serene and calm.
How do you create an atmosphere of trust and support in your master classes so that participants can express themselves freely?
I have this ability: to gain trust and surround the participant with sincere care and warmth. The voice also plays a big role. The voice as a guide. As it is said in all scriptures, first the sound appeared in the universe – the word. Therefore, with a word, you can push away, and conversely, attract. And when there is trust, everything goes smoothly and calmly.
Are there any stories from your master class participants that particularly amazed or inspired you?
Working with the subconscious is not an instantaneous result; it can last for days and months. But as practice and communication with participants show, many opportunities have appeared in their lives, and some have even undergone big changes. And thanks to working with the subconscious, a person discovers many hidden possibilities of their consciousness.
Tell us about your love for bright colors and textured materials. How do you choose these elements for your works?
In our everyday, routine life, we have learned to restrain our emotions, choose calmer tones, and bright manifestations are judged by society. Therefore, I wanted to, as it were, wake everyone up from hibernation. Texture gives movement and vitality to the picture, which is why I really like them. And I choose colors according to the chakra system, thereby awakening the “lower” chakras of the viewer.
