The Art of the Collab: Morgan Mandala on Flow State, Sacred Geometry, and Trusting the Process
Welcome back to the Art of the Collab with Ruga, where art, music, and community collide. In our latest episode, we sat down with Morgan Mandala, a legendary live painter and visionary artist whose work fuses nature, sacred geometry, and energy into pieces that truly come alive.
Whether you’ve seen her painting live across the festival circuit or followed her intricate studio work, Morgan's art captures the essence of the world around us. We talked about her journey to becoming a full time artist, what it really means to find your flow state, and the inspiration behind her brand new Grassroots California hat collaboration.
Here is a look at some of the biggest takeaways from our conversation.
The Slow Burn to Full-Time Artist
There is a common myth that to be a successful artist, you have to dramatically quit your day job and take a massive leap of faith. For Morgan, the reality was a much more deliberate, ten year journey.
While art was always her go to source of comfort and joy, transitioning it into a career meant getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. She slowly built her career while maintaining a flexible, part time safety net that allowed her to travel to festivals and paint live.
"I'm not the kind of person who followed the path of 'quit your job and become an artist.' You don't want to put that pressure on your creativity right away. For me, it was a slower transition... I wanted to make sure I was comfortable."
Getting Out of Your Own Way: The Flow State
Every artist chases flow state, but what does it actually feel like? According to Morgan, it’s a space where time accelerates and your inner critic goes completely silent. It might take hours of painting to get there, but once you arrive, an hour can feel like a minute.
A massive part of maintaining that flow is learning not to resist the direction a painting wants to go, even if it means destroying something you love.
Morgan's tip for staying in the flow: If you find yourself too attached to a specific detail (like a flower you worked really hard on) that doesn't serve the overall piece, or if you simply get stuck, keep multiple paintings going at once. Jumping between pieces keeps the creative momentum alive.
The "Sunshine Daydream" GRC Collab
We are incredibly hyped about Morgan's newest release with Grassroots. Inspired by her painting "Sunshine Daydream," this piece captures the ultimate Colorado alpine summer view.
The Design Break Down:
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The Scene: A rushing river surrounded by columbines, with the sun shining in a mandala pattern through the trees.
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The Colors: Brown for the earth, yellow for the sun, and blue/teal for the sky and water.
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The Geometry: The patterns start with water geometries and break down into earthly structures.
It is the ultimate lightweight, bright summer hat, perfect for keeping your face shaded while out in the elements.
The Thread That Connects Us: Understanding Mandalas
For Morgan, mandalas are much more than just beautiful patterns. They represent the macro and the micro sacred geometry that makes up everything around us.
Whether you are breaking down physics and biological structures to their simplest forms, experiencing the thin air above 10,000 feet, or taking psychedelics, these patterns are constantly emanating from the land and the trees.
"These structures are actually within us, within the different animals and plants and landscapes... For me, mandalas are the thread that weaves it all together, the energetic representation."
Advice for Female Creators
As a prominent female visionary artist, Morgan knows exactly what it takes to navigate the creative world. Her advice for other women looking to make their mark is simple but powerful:
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Trust Your Vision: Even if other people don't see it yet, keep practicing and keep going. No one can take your drive away from you.
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Know Your Worth: Surround yourself with a solid, supportive community.
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Embrace the Haters: If you are getting a reaction, it is often a sign that you are doing something right.
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Flip Your Weaknesses: Sometimes the things you perceive as weaknesses are actually the exact traits that make you and your art entirely unique.
Ready to get outside? Grab the new Morgan Mandala 'Sunshine Daydream' Hat in the shop now, protect your face from the sun, and we will see you out on the festival circuit!
