This was created in either a grade 11 or 12 art class. In other words, some time in 1992, 93, or 94. It's held up well over the years?

I'd like to say that my painting style has improved, but as I never pushed myself or even continued exploring painting, I consider this my peak.

The piece was completed entirely by hand (HB pencil, compas, art pen, watercolour paint). Even the paper frame was measured and cut by hand! Remembering back to the technical side of its creation is a bit nostalgic for me!

The assignment was to take a common art tool, and manipulate it into a Buddhist Mandala (meditation wheel). I decided to use my trusty old Staedtler Mars Eraser Holder, and let my imagination run with it. I vaguely remember wanting to explore all aspects of the tool, which is why parts of the piece are of only the eraser core, the two ends of the holder and the eraser, and the pieces combined as one tool.

Looking back, I'm quite amazed at the creativity in the piece, and at times, I can't believe that I created it! Though, most of the time, I get lost in the picture, and it acts as a Mandala. Funny how such a simply design could be so complex.

Aside from some cropping, scaling, and playing with contrast, colour and levels, this image is as it appears. Though, the colours are a bit different in the real piece (the holders are purplish, as opposed to the brown colour in this digital copy.)