Samden Dolma Dong Tamang, a 27-year-old mandala artist and educator, has been creating intricate mandalas for nearly a decade. Specialising in ornate and dot mandalas, she has developed a unique style that blends precision with artistry. Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, Samden manages to balance her academic life with her passion for art. She also teaches mandala art, a venture she began during the Covid-19 lockdown. Initially offering online classes, she transitioned to in-person sessions two years ago and has since nurtured a growing community of art enthusiasts. Looking ahead, Samden dreams of opening her own studio, where she can continue to share her love for mandala art while furthering her academic and creative pursuits.
For Samden Dolma, art wasn’t just a way to express creativity; it became a lifeline. In 2016, after completing her higher education in Nepal, Samden found herself at crossroads. “I was so restless,” Samden admits. “There was so much uncertainty about my future, and I couldn’t find peace” she adds but then someone suggested something that would change the course of her life: yoga and meditation.
Eager to find relief, she began searching for creative outlets to channel her overwhelming thoughts. One evening, after spending hours on Google, she stumbled across mandala art. The intricacy and rhythm of the patterns drew her in. A simple online search led her to her first mandala creation – and it wasn’t just a drawing; it was a revelation. “I took an A4 piece of paper, a dot pen, and spent hours recreating a design I found online, “Samden says, smiling at the memory. “I was so absorbed that I didn’t even check my phone. That was when I realised how much peace it gave me,” she adds.
In that moment, Samden discovered something far deeper than just a creative hobby. She found a practice that calmed her restless mind and allowed her to reconnect with herself. The act of drawing, the concentration required, and the meditative flow of the patterns all worked together to clear her mind and quiet the chaos. What began as a way to distract herself soon transformed into something essential for her emotional well-being.
That first mandala marked the beginning of Samden’s artistic journey. As the days passed, she began to draw more and more, each piece reflecting different phases of her mood and emotional state. What had started as an individual escape gradually evolved into a more significant part of her life. “I have always been a creative person,” she says. “I used to do paper crafting, making flowers with scissors and glue. But mandala art was different. It felt like it was speaking to me in a way nothing else had.”
In time, her practice blossomed, and she decided to share it with others. Teaching mandalas became a way not just to help others express themselves but also to deepen her own understanding of the art form. Samden found that mandalas weren’t just beautiful designs; they were powerful tools for healing. She describes the process of creating them as “yoga for the mind,” something she never fully grasped until she started teaching. “I didn’t know at first, but mandalas are considered a form of art therapy,” Samden reflects. “It’s a meditative process that helps people calm their minds, just like yoga does for the body.”
One of the moments Samden holds closest to her heart is the success of a student who came to one of her workshops. This particular student had never picked up a paintbrush in her life, and at the age of 24, she was nervous and unsure of her ability to create anything meaningful. She had no prior experience with mandalas and was hesitant to start. “She told me she was afraid of not meeting her own expectations,” Samden recalls. “She was so nervous that she almost didn’t come to the workshop at all.” But by the end of the two-day course, that same student had not only completed her first mandala, but she also sold it to a friend. It was a modest sale, but to her, it was everything. “After months of no contact, she messaged me on Instagram. She told me, ‘I sold my first mandala!’ She said she never thought she could do it but after the workshop, she felt confident enough to give it a go,” Samden says, her eyes lighting up, “That message meant so much to me. It showed that what I do isn’t just about teaching art. It’s about helping people discover something in themselves they didn’t know was there.”
For Samden, teaching is about more than just passing on skills; it’s about empowering others to find their own voice and creativity. She takes pride in knowing that her guidance has helped others build confidence and overcome self-doubt.
Creating mandalas for her is deeply personal, an emotional reflection in every stroke and colour. Her art has become a mirror of her inner world, a visual representation of her moods and experiences. “The colours I use depend on how I feel at the time,” she explains. “When I am happy, I’ll use bright, vivid colours like red and yellow. When I am feeling more calm or reflective, I’ll choose pastels or softer tones.”
But now her art isn’t always solely about her own emotions. Samden often creates custom mandalas based on her clients’ preferences. Her customers choose central designs, colour palettes and patterns, which she then brings to life in her unique style. “I love the process of working with clients because they often surprise me,” Samden says. “They’ll give me colour combinations that I would never have thought of. It challenges me and pushes me to think in new ways. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense at first, but after doing swatches, we make it work together.” This collaboration with her customers has helped Samden grow as an artist, showing her that creativity isn’t always about following a set path. Sometimes, it’s about embracing the unexpected and learning through the process.
After years of making intricate ornate mandalas, Samden thought she had explored every possibility within the art form. But then, something unexpected happened: she fell in love with dot mandalas. The minimalist style, with its precise dotting techniques, was a departure from her previous work, but it quickly became a new passion. “I thought I had reached the peak of my creativity with ornate mandalas,” Samden admits. “But dot mandalas have brought a whole new dimension to my work. They are simple, calming, and incredibly meditative.” The more she worked with dot mandalas, the more she realised their significance. The interlocking patterns she favours, she now believes, represent something deeper than just design. “There’s a symmetry in the patterns,” she says thoughtfully. “Maybe, subconsciously, it’s about needing balance and support. It’s about finding harmony with yourself and with others.”
Looking back, Samden sees her journey with mandala art as a path of healing, growth and self-discovery. Through mandalas, she has found clarity and calm. “Now, I am clear on my goals. I am more patient, and I understand myself better. Mandalas have helped me become more composed and focused.” In a world full of uncertainty, Samden has found a steady centre through her art.
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