All through 2025, I painted one puzzle piece per day of the Archangel Mandala No. 4 as part of my 2025 Mandalas of the Day. Towards the end of the year, I’ll admit I struggled a bit with maintaining my enthusiasm for the project. But now that I’ve finished painting them all, I can start the next phase of the project: putting together to form this 4’x4’ mandala on a wood panel.

People who have been following along all year have been asking about when they’re going to see the final results. Well, last week I began the process and I hope to finalize it by mid February.

The overall message of Archangel Mandala 4 is “of the many, one”. While we’re all individuals existing on this planet, we do so as a whole, as one. The puzzle pieces show just how unique we all are and that when all the puzzle pieces are put together it will become one whole mandala painting. Think of it like a patchwork quilt. It’s promoting our individuality while co-existing as one united in love and tolerance united.

Today’s message that came through while attaching the next batch of puzzle pieces (Day 5) is that while we may not all come together in perfect alignment, we are all doing are best to come together. In other words, it doesn’t have to be perfect in order to come together as one.

How I’m Doing It…

I’m using Goldens Soft Gel Gloss Medium (it’s what I had on hand in my studio) and applying a thin layer on the section of the wood panel I’m working on that day. Then I put a thin layer on the back of each puzzle piece.

I attach three or four pieces at a time and then use a hair dryer at a low setting to heat up the medium on the panel and the puzzle pieces, making for a stronger bond between the paper and the wood panel.

When I’m done with that day’s section, I cover the panel with parchment paper and then add weight objects, letting it sit overnight to solidify the bond.