Salmon Zinnia Elegans IV, B&W, Copyright 2012 David J. Bookbinder

A zinnia, taken a couple of summers ago in Rockport, MA.

More anon,
-David
David J. Bookbinder, LMHC

Discussion: Facebook Flower Mandalas page
Subscribe to the Flower Mandalas mailing list
Request the 15 Flower Mandalas screensaver (Windows only): Fifteen Flower Mandalas

© 2012, David J. Bookbinder. All rights reserved.
Permission required for publication. Images available for licensing.
davidbookbinder.com

Iceland Poppy II, white, Copyright 2011 David J. Bookbinder

An Iceland Poppy, taken a couple of summers ago at Long Hill in Beverly, MA.

More anon,
-David
David J. Bookbinder, LMHC

Discussion: Facebook Flower Mandalas page
Subscribe to the Flower Mandalas mailing list
Request the 15 Flower Mandalas screensaver (Windows only): Fifteen Flower Mandalas

© 2011, David J. Bookbinder. All rights reserved.
Permission required for publication. Images available for licensing.
davidbookbinder.com

Red and Yellow Dahlia I, Copyright 2011 David J. Bookbinder

A red and yellow dahlia, from just around the corner.

More anon,
-David
David J. Bookbinder, LMHC

Discussion: Facebook Flower Mandalas page
Subscribe to the Flower Mandalas mailing list
Request the 15 Flower Mandalas screensaver (Windows only): Fifteen Flower Mandalas

© 2011, David J. Bookbinder. All rights reserved.
Permission required for publication. Images available for licensing.
davidbookbinder.com

Giant White Daholia II, Copyright 2011 David J. Bookbinder

A Giant White Dahlia, from my mother’s table on a recent visit to New York State.

More anon,
-David
David J. Bookbinder, LMHC

Discussion: Facebook Flower Mandalas page
Subscribe to the Flower Mandalas mailing list
Request the 15 Flower Mandalas screensaver (Windows only): Fifteen Flower Mandalas

© 2011, David J. Bookbinder. All rights reserved.
Permission required for publication. Images available for licensing.
davidbookbinder.com

Thank You! (and some links)

Many thanks to the great people who have backed The Flower Mandalas Project so far. I’m honored to have such supportive friends, family, and fans.

If you haven’t yet, it’s still not too late to back the Project and get great Backer Rewards.

For those who missed the August portion of the fundraiser, there’s still a little over one week remaining. If you have not yet backed the Project, please consider doing so before the September 14 deadline. The Project has already met its minimum goal, so the Book has the green light. Additional funding will go:

1. To creating the Exhibition and Electronic versions of the Project and putting them in healing institutions, such as the Massachusetts General Hospital Illuminations program, and
2. To kickstarting (lowercase “k”) the foundation I hope to create for promoting art & healing projects by other artists. (Anyone who has previous experience starting a foundation, please contact me, as I’d prefer not to totally reinvent the wheel.)

And please continue to spread the word by sharing this link on Facebook, twitter, email, other electronic forums, and In Real Life:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

Once the fundraiser ends, I will continue to post Updates on the Project on the Kickstarter project page at:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project/posts

Segments of the book will appear both on my Beliefnet.com blog: http://blog.beliefnet.com/flowermandalas
and on my Behance.net project page: http://www.behance.net/gallery/Fifty-Two-Flower-Mandalas/864331

Please check in, and thanks again –

- David

David J. Bookbinder, LMHC
davidbookbinder.com
flowermandalas.org

Thank You!

The Flower Mandala Project has already met its Kickstarter project goal with still almost two weeks of fundraising remaining!

To those of you who have backed the Project, Thank You! I’m honored to have such supportive friends, family, and fans. Once the fundraiser ends, I’ll be sending out the Backer Rewards that are already created and, of course, diligently continuing to work on the Book.

Note that there are still 13 days to go in this fundraiser, so…

Please continue to spread the word by sharing on Facebook, twitter, email, other electronic forums, and In Real Life.

And, if you have not yet backed the Project, please consider doing so before the September 14 deadline. Any funds contributed beyond the funds raised so far will go toward creating and sharing the Exhibition and Electronic versions of the Flower Mandalas Project, and eventually to kickstarting (lowercase “k”) the foundation I hope to create for promoting art & healing projects by other artists.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

Thank you again,
- David
David J. Bookbinder, LMHC

Discussion: Facebook Flower Mandalas page
Subscribe to the Flower Mandalas mailing list
Request the 15 Flower Mandalas screensaver (Windows only): Fifteen Flower Mandalas

© 2011, David J. Bookbinder. All rights reserved.
Permission required for publication. Images available for licensing.
davidbookbinder.com, flowermandalas.org

Wow!

As of this morning, only $66 to go before The Flower Mandala Project meets its minimum funding goal and gets the green light.

Thanks so much to those who have supported this project so far.

Who will be the one(s) to push the project over the top?

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

Thanks again-

See you in Cyberspace,
- David
David J. Bookbinder, LMHC

Discussion: Facebook Flower Mandalas page
Subscribe to the Flower Mandalas mailing list
Request the 15 Flower Mandalas screensaver (Windows only): Fifteen Flower Mandalas

© 2011, David J. Bookbinder. All rights reserved.
Permission required for publication. Images available for licensing.
davidbookbinder.com, flowermandalas.org

UPDATE: The Flower Mandalas Project’s Final Stretch!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

Less than $500 to go for The Flower Mandalas Project to meet its minimum funding goals by the September 14th deadline and be on its way! Please consider making a pledge to help make this dream a reality. 1000 thanks to those who have already supported this effort. 

BACKGROUND
I’m creating a book called Fifty-Two Flower Mandalas. It consists of 52 Flower Mandala images, each linked to a related concept, inspirational quote, and personal essay. The book will delve into 52 fundamental aspects of the human experience. My hope is that through this project the mandalas will reach a broader audience, promoting inner harmony and peace and inspiring others to use art as a means of healing and transformation – the primary purposes it has served for me. Through images and words, I hope to distill and convey to a broad audience what I have gleaned from 10 years as a psychotherapist, 20 years of life beyond a near-death experience, and 60 years on the planet.

To fund it, I have launched a Kickstarter.com project. Kickstarter is a new way to fund creative projects from private donations. Contributors (Backers) receive rewards that are connected with the projects and are proportional to their contributions. Project creators set the contribution levels and concomitant rewards.

Here’s a link to a full description of the project, a list of the Backer Rewards, and ways to choose a contribution: 
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

ALL OR NOTHING!
Kickstarter is a time-limited, all-or-nothing system. If the goal of $7500 is not met in the remaining days of the project fundraiser, no money changes hands.

WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?
The initial $7500 will go toward:
- Selecting the images, matching them to concepts and quotes, and writing the essays.
- Designing the layout of the book, including consultation with a book designer and selecting fonts for text and headings.
- Printing samples of the book and getting them reviewed.
- Creating the Backer Rewards.

Your contributions to this Kickstarter project are not only intended to help me create the “Fifty-Two Flower Mandalas” book, but also to kickstart the larger Flower Mandalas Project. The “Fifty-Two Flower Mandalas” book is the first step in what I see to be a four-stage process:
- Create and publish the Book
- Create a traveling Exhibition in print and multimedia form and display it primarily in healing institutions
- Establish a foundation for promoting art as a healing and transformative activity
- Help to fund and promote artistic projects aimed at healing and transformation

Please support this Project before the September 14th deadline to help this dream can become a reality. Every contribution, no matter how small, really is helpful, and also demonstrates your belief not only in my personal work, but also in promoting art as a healing and transformative means. 
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

BACKER REWARDS
In addition to intangibles such as my gratitude, the sense that you are helping someone do something good in the world, and the excitement of being part of the Kickstarter community (it’s a truly cool idea!), there are actual, tangible Backer Rewards. Contributions range from $1 to $1000, with appropriate rewards for each level of contribution. Rewards include copies of the book, as well as Flower Mandala prints, greeting cards, and screensavers. I’ve tried to make the retail value of the rewards at least equal to the contributions. 
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

SPREAD THE WORD!
Thank you in advance for your contributions and support. One more request: Please help spread the word! Remember, Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing deal. The project gets funded only if the goal is met by September 14th.

So, please spread the word! The more people who know about this project, the more likely it is to get funded. Even $1 contributions bring the project closer to meeting its goal.

STAY CONNECTED!
Stay connected by following the project’s updates, becoming a fan on Facebook, and/or following the project at Behance.net and on the Beliefnet.com Flower Mandalas blog. I will be releasing mini-chapters as I create them and look forward to your responses.

Thanks again!

See you in Cyberspace, 
- David
David J. Bookbinder, LMHC

Discussion: Facebook Flower Mandalas page
Subscribe to the Flower Mandalas mailing list
Request the 15 Flower Mandalas screensaver (Windows only): Fifteen Flower Mandalas

© 2011, David J. Bookbinder. All rights reserved.
Permission required for publication. Images available for licensing.
davidbookbinder.com, flowermandalas.org

Yellow and Red Rose II, B&W, Copyright 2011 David J. Bookbinder

Thanks to those who have contributed to the Flower Mandalas Project. Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated! The “Fifty-Two Flower Mandalas” book fundraising campaign is now only $1,000 from meeting its goal! The fundraiser ends September 14th. Please support this work by contributing to my Kickstarter Project:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

More anon,
-David
David J. Bookbinder, LMHC

Discussion: Facebook Flower Mandalas page
Subscribe to the Flower Mandalas mailing list
Request the 15 Flower Mandalas screensaver (Windows only): Fifteen Flower Mandalas

© 2011, David J. Bookbinder. All rights reserved.
Permission required for publication. Images available for licensing.
davidbookbinder.com

The Flower Mandalas Project Roadmap

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

Once again, thanks to those of you (55 backers and counting, so far!) who have already supported the Project. The “Fifty-Two Flower Mandalas” book has been a six-year effort, and your pledges and support are greatly appreciated! Thanks to your generosity, the Project is more than three-fourths of the way to making its September 14th goal.

Your contributions to this Kickstarter project are intended not only to help me complete the “Fifty-Two Flower Mandalas” book, but also to kickstart the larger Flower Mandalas Project. The “Fifty-Two Flower Mandalas” book is the first step in what I see to be a four-stage process:

1. Create and publish the Book
2. Create a traveling Exhibition in print and multimedia form and display it primarily in healing institutions
3. Establish a foundation for promoting art as a healing and transformative activity
4. Help to fund and promote artistic projects aimed at healing and transformation

Please support this Project before the September 14th deadline to help this dream can become a reality. Every contribution, no matter how small, really is helpful, and also demonstrates your belief in promoting art as a healing and transformative means.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

To see some of the initial pairings of images, quotations, and concepts, please visit my Behance Network project page, here: Fifty-Two Flower Mandalas at Behance Network.

Stay tuned to the Behance Network page to see work in progress on the Project and to offer any comments and critiques.

Thanks again,
- David

Discussion: Facebook Flower Mandalas page
Subscribe to the Flower Mandalas mailing list
Request the 15 Flower Mandalas screensaver (Windows only): Fifteen Flower Mandalas

© 2011, David J. Bookbinder. All rights reserved.
Permission required for publication. Images available for licensing.
davidbookbinder.com, flowermandalas.org

Red Clematis I, Copyright 2011 David J. Bookbinder

Thanks to those who have supported the Flower Mandalas Project. Your pledges are greatly appreciated! The “Fifty-Two Flower Mandalas” book has been a six-year effort. Completing this book moves me one step closer to starting a foundation for promoting art as a healing and transformative process, which is my eventual goal.

The current Project is 2/3 to making its goal, greatly increasing the odds that it will be funded. To raise the additional funds, I need help from the rest of you. The fundraiser ends September 14th. Please support this work by contributing to my Kickstarter Project:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

More anon,
-David
David J. Bookbinder, LMHC

Discussion: Facebook Flower Mandalas page
Subscribe to the Flower Mandalas mailing list
Request the 15 Flower Mandalas screensaver (Windows only): Fifteen Flower Mandalas

© 2011, David J. Bookbinder. All rights reserved.
Permission required for publication. Images available for licensing.
davidbookbinder.com

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

Thousands of you have been enjoying my Flower Mandala images for years. More than 1,000 have downloaded my free 15 Flower Mandalas screensaver. Many have also asked, “When are you going to finish that book?”

Well, the answer depends, in large part, on you.

First, thanks to those of you who have already contributed to my Flower Mandalas Project on Kickstarter.com.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

To the rest of my Flower Mandalas fans, I ask you to help with this project.

Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing proposition. If the goal is not met by September 14th, no money changes hands. But if all of you contribute just $1.50 each (for which you would get the new, limited-to-Kickstarter-contributors 52 Flower Mandalas screensaver), the project will reach its goal before the fundraiser ends on September 14th. If — no, when — that happens, I will strive to get the book done before my 61st birthday in March, 2012.

To paraphrase the NPR fund drives we all love to hate, “$1.50. About the price of a cup of coffee. Are the Flower Mandalas you’ve been looking at all these months worth $1.50? We think so.”

So do I! I hope you do, too.

Thanks. See you in cyberspace,

- David

David J. Bookbinder, LMHC
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

White Clematis I, Copyright 2011 David J. Bookbinder

A local clematis, seen at a Boston flower show.

Please support this work by contributing to my Kickstarter fundraiser:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

The fundraiser ends September 14th. If the project is funded before then, every pledge, even $1, will receive, minimally, a unique Kickstarter-only “Fifty-Two Flower Mandalas” screensaver. If the goal is not met by September 14th, the project won’t be funded at all.

So, please help make this project a reality — and, for your generosity, also receive Flower Mandala prints, copies of the book and other products at a Kickstarter-only discounted rate.

More anon,
-David
David J. Bookbinder, LMHC
Discussion: Facebook Flower Mandalas page
Request the 15 Flower Mandalas screensaver (Windows only): Fifteen Flower Mandalas

© 2011, David J. Bookbinder. All rights reserved.
Permission required for publication. Images available for licensing.
davidbookbinder.com

The Flower Mandalas Project forges ahead, but it still has a ways to go. At this moment (Thursday morning, 9:30am), the Project still needs an additional $4,040 to make the long-awaited ‘Fifty-Two Flower Mandalas’ book a reality!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

Some of you have already pledged or reached out to your friends. If you haven’t, please do so now! There are great perks, even for a small pledge. In addition to prints, cards, and books, every contribution will also get you the new ‘Fifty-Two Flower Mandalas’ screensaver, available only to Kickstarter contributors.

Every $1 counts!

Thanks again for your support -
David

UPDATE: Flower Mandalas Project Backer Rewards

Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.
- Carl Jung

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

Thank you for your contributions and support so far. Just a note to let you know that I have added a new Backer Reward. A $65 contribution gets you a signed 8″x8″ softcover copy of the book as well as a “Thanks” on the Acknowledgements page.

I have tried to make Backer Awards >= the retail value of the contributions, so in making a pledge you are not only supporting the Project, you are getting something tangible in return. Current Backer Rewards include:

$1 or more:
‘Fifty-Two Flower Mandalas’ Screensaver (retail value $10)
$10 or more:
PDF of the Book ($20), 2 greeting cards ($8), Screensaver ($10)
$25 or more:
8″x8″ Flower Mandala print ($150), PDF of the Book ($20), Screensaver ($10)
$50 or more:
12″x12″ Flower Mandala print ($225), PDF of the Book ($20), Screensaver ($10)
$65 or more:
Signed 8″x8″ softcover copy of the Book ($50-$60), Screensaver ($10)
$100 or more:
Signed 8″x8″ softcover copy of the Book ($50-$60), 12″x12″ print ($225), Screensaver ($10)

And so on. To paraphrase the NPR fund drives, “This is your chance to own a genuine David J. Bookbinder (fill in the blank)!” See the Project page for a full list of Backer Rewards.

If you are planning to contribute, please consider doing so early in the project, as “momentum” gets Kickstarter projects up on their Discover and Featured pages, where the whole Kickstarter community can become aware of them. And, you get something in return for your generosity. Kickstarter is a time-limited, all-or-nothing system. The fundraiser ends September 14, 2011. If the goal is not met by then, no money changes hands.

And, please help spread the word! The more people who know about this project, the more likely it is to get funded. Even $1 contributions bring the Project closer to meeting its goal and also help the Project get noticed at Kickstarter. Really. Even $1 helps!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

Thanks again!

David J. Bookbinder, LMHC

UPDATE: ‘Fifty-Two Flower Mandalas’ Book Design

I’ve uploaded a PDF of the current Book design. I’m interested in your responses, including ideas for improvement.

Each Concept is covered in four pages:

- Chapter opening page
- Two-page center spread
- Related personal essay

Here’s the design: Design Template.pdf

Please support this project! And please make your comments in the Comments section of the project, rather than in this blog.

Here’s a link to the project description, description of Backer Rewards, etc.  The Flower Mandalas Project

Thanks!
David

The Flower Mandalas Project Needs Your Help!

Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.
- Carl Jung

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

As you may know, I have been making Flower Mandalas for the last several years. At first, they helped me with inner healing and self-discovery. Later, I began to share them with others. From feedback here and on my Facebook fan page (http://www.facebook.com/flowermandalas), I have seen how these images can be transformative. Now, I’m putting them into a form I hope will have both a broader and a deeper effect than I’ve been able to achieve so far.

But it’s going to take work to get there and I need your help to do it

FIFTY-TWO FLOWER MANDALAS BOOK

I’m creating a book called Fifty-Two Flower Mandalas. It consists of 52 Flower Mandala images, each linked to a related concept, inspirational quote, and personal essay. The book will delve into 52 fundamental aspects of the human experience. My hope is that through this project the mandalas will reach a broader audience, promoting inner harmony and peace and inspiring others to use art as a means of healing and transformation – the primary purposes it has served for me.

This is my most important artistic project to date. Through images and words, I hope to distill and convey to a broad audience what I have gleaned from 10 years as a psychotherapist, 20 years of life beyond a near-death experience, and 60 years on the planet.

From Chapter 1, “Awakening”

The book will be square format, produced in both a deluxe 12″x12″ hardcover limited edition and a high-quality 8″x8″ softcover edition. In addition to the book, this content will also be presented, eventually, as a print/multimedia exhibition, portable electronic version, and website.

P.S. As a way of saying thanks for your support, there are tangible rewards for your help. See below.

KICKSTARTER.COM

To fund it, I have launched a Kickstarter.com project. Kickstarter is a new way to fund creative projects from private donations. Contributors (Backers) receive rewards that are related to the projects and are proportional in value to their contributions. Project creators set the contribution levels and concomitant rewards.

From Chapter 26, “Love”

Here’s a link to a full description of the project, a list of the Backer Rewards, and ways to contribute:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

My goal is to raise $7500 over the next 45 days. The fundraiser ends September 14, 2011.

ALL OR NOTHING!

Kickstarter is a time-limited, all-or-nothing system. If the goal of $7500 is not met in the 45 days of the project fundraiser, no money changes hands.

According to Kickstarter, about 50% of their projects get funded. I want to be in that 50%!!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

WHERE WILL THE MONEY GO?

The initial $7500 will go toward:

• Taking time to select the images, match them to concepts and quotes, and write the essays.
• Designing the layout of the book, including consultation with a book designer and selecting fonts for text and headings.
• Printing samples of the book and getting them reviewed
• Creating and shipping the Backer Rewards.

Projects can be exceed their funding goals. If The Flower Mandalas Project exceeds the $7500 goal within the 45-day time limit, I will use the additional funds to support development of the exhibition and electronic versions and to pursue getting them into healing environments. (See the project description for details.)

MORE ON BACKER REWARDS

In addition to intangibles such as my gratitude, the sense that you are helping someone do something good in the world, and the excitement of being part of the Kickstarter community (it’s a truly cool idea!), there are actual, tangible Backer Rewards.

Contributions can range from $1 to $1000, with appropriate rewards for each level of contribution. Rewards include copies of the book, as well as Flower Mandala prints, greeting cards, and screensavers. I’ve tried to make the retail value of the rewards at least equal to the contributions.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phototransformations/the-flower-mandalas-project

SPREAD THE WORD!

Thank you in advance for your contributions and support. One more request: Please help spread the word!

Remember, Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing deal. If we raise the money by the September 14 deadline, the project gets funded. If not, no money changes hands and we’re back to square one.

So, please spread the word! The more people who know about this project, the more likely it is to get funded. Even $1 contributions bring the project closer to meeting its goal.

STAY CONNECTED!

Stay connected by following the project’s updates, becoming a fan on Facebook, and/or following the project here, at Behance.net, and on the Beliefnet Flower Mandalas blog. I will be releasing mini-chapters as I create them and look forward to your responses.

Thanks again!

See you in Cyberspace,

David J. Bookbinder, LMHC

Violet Beach Rose I, B&W, Copyright 2011 David J. Bookbinder
A local beach rose, converted to black-and-white.
More anon,
-David
David J. Bookbinder, LMHC
Discussion: Facebook Flower Mandalas page
Request the 15 Flower Mandalas screensaver (Windows only): Fifteen Flower Mandalas
© 2011, David J. Bookbinder. All rights reserved. Permission required for publication.
Images available for licensing.
davidbookbinder.com

White Daisy I, B&W, Copyright 2011 David J. Bookbinder
A local daisy that seemed perfect to me, abstracted and converted to black and white.
More anon,
-David
David J. Bookbinder, LMHC
Discussion: Facebook Flower Mandalas page
Request the “15 Flower Mandalas” screensaver (Windows only): Fifteen Flower Mandalas
© 2011, David J. Bookbinder. All rights reserved. Permission required for publication.
Images available for licensing.
davidbookbinder.com

White Daisy I, Copyright 2011 David J. Bookbinder
A local daisy that seemed perfect to me, abstracted.
More anon,
-David
David J. Bookbinder, LMHC
Discussion: Facebook Flower Mandalas page
Request the “15 Flower Mandalas” screensaver (Windows only): Fifteen Flower Mandalas
© 2011, David J. Bookbinder. All rights reserved. Permission required for publication.
Images available for licensing.
davidbookbinder.com