It started with one rock.
Sindhu Nagaraju from Cambridge was walking along the shore of Lake Minnewanka in the Canadian Rockies when she picked up a rock and brought it back home.
“It was so smooth. I wanted something as a souvenir from our family trip to Jasper National Park in Alberta in 2018,” Nagaraju said.
“My inspiration is nature. When I picked up that rock, my journey of rock art began.”
Nagaraju painted that same rock as a gift for an elderly neighbour.
“I painted her name on it and she loved it. She said she wanted more and so I painted more of them for her daughters,” Nagaraju said.
“Then my friends started asking, so I painted on all of the rocks I had found. That’s when I really began to experiment with paints. I knew I wanted to do something different. This seemed natural for me.”
Soon after, Nagaraju became a part time vendor at the Aberfoyle Farmers’ Market.
“It was just a hobby but then my business began. I love being at the markets, talking to people and seeing them smile. The kids love to hold the rocks in their hands. There’s so much love around the table. I love this about markets, and this is what gave me a foundation to continue,” Nagaraju said.
And for Nagaraju, this is when River Rock Mandalas came to be.
In the ancient Sanskrit language of Hinduism and Buddhism, mandala means “circle.” Traditionally, a mandala is a geometric design or pattern that represents the cosmos or deities in various heavenly worlds.
Nagaraju says that painting mandalas by dotting the rocks is relaxing.
“I paint each one with lots of love and bright colours,” she said. “The tool that I use has a flat end. I dip it in paint, and I begin, dot by dot. There are no stencils. I just go with the flow.”
“The mandala has a spiritual background. It is holy, a blessing, and is a spiritual connection. My grandmother used to draw mandalas all of the time,” Nagaraju said.
Today, Nagaraju paints with her five-year-old daughter.
“She loves it. She sits with me and paints. We have left our rocks on trails and in our apartment building. People love them,” Nagaraju said.
Nagaraju came to Canada from India in 2013.
“I will never forget when I arrived. It was during a freezing rainstorm,” she said.
Nagaraju attended the University of Waterloo and has a background in mechanical engineering.
But expressing herself artistically began at a young age.
“I’ve always been crafty. Since I was a young girl, I would paint or draw,” she said.
In 2020, Nagaraju received tragic news.
“My younger brother passed away in India. It was so shocking, and I could not visit because of the pandemic,” Nagaraju said.
Painting helped Nagaraju get through the grief and loss.
“I had to pick myself up and painting helped me so much. It helped me to live. I say to anyone struggling, to do something that makes you happy, that relaxes you and fills your soul. The pandemic has affected everyone in so many different ways,” Nagaraju said.
‘When it comes to mental health, you have to do something for yourself.”
It was in that same year, that Nagaraju began more serious paintings with more intricate designs, and on different canvasses.
“I paint on plates, and large canvasses. I look at people’s interests and suggestions and paint anything from butterflies, flowers, dragonflies or lady bugs. All rocks are drawn free hand. Some rocks are flat or wide, and some even have holes in them,” Nagaraju said.
“People often put them in their gardens.”
Rock picking season happens in the summer months.
“We visit beaches. I pick the place and my husband drives. We’ve been to Nova Scotia and Lake Superior. My husband and daughter are so supportive,” Nagaraju said.
“It’s so beautiful to connect with nature and to see all of the untouched beauty of the lakes.”
Fall and winter are busy times for Nagaraju.
“People like to buy smaller gifts for Thanksgiving. During the Christmas season, people want more special and unique gifts. I’ve painted trays, jewelry boxes, and Christmas ornaments,” Nagaraju said.
Nagaraju says she is enjoying her journey right now and one day she hopes to teach and offer tutorials and workshops.
“When people see my art, they might be reminded of a beach or a special place,” Nagaraju said.
“It means so much to me when people appreciate my work as an artist.”
For more information, visit https://www.instagram.com/rrmandalas/ or the River Rock Mandalas Facebook page.