Mark Goddard is a shamanic artist living in the Sierra Foothills who embraces a host of themes as a painter, including the environment, quality of life, human culture, roots and spirituality. His art honors the natural world & creative arts, especially the indigenous basketweaving traditions of the West.

Mark's original mandalic creations, called Visual Medicine Shamandalas™ arise as a channel of spiritual transmissions of sacred geometries, blending extremely detailed realism with abstract beauty based on Mark's knowledge and deep love of the Earth, natural science and ecology. Mark has participated in Lakota ceremony and serves as a shamanic Reiki healer. Mark holds degrees in Fine Art and Geology and designed the first California Native Basketweavers Association Website.

Each painting in this "Flying Geese" series corresponds to a specific chakra (energy center) and provides healing energy. All designs are original patterns inspired by Mark's antique basket collection.

Mark's art encourages us to reconnect with our Spirit, our bodies & the planet. As we honor the divine within and all around us, we understand our sacred place on Earth and live in greater harmony and balance. Thus, Mark's unique mandala paintings have a universal purpose. Viewers often say the paintings "vibrate with energy" and have a presence. They may be used as meditation tools and are blessed for this purpose. It is a journey of heart and soul that Mark invites his viewers to take.

Mark graduated from C.S.U. East Bay in 1987 with a degree in Fine Art and Minor studies in Geology and German Language & Literature. He, his wife and two boys live currently in the town of Placerville, California. He is an active member of El Dorado Hills Arts Association, Folsom Arts Association and Placerville Arts Association. This artwork not only serves in the role of fine art, but is also an extension of Mark's healing work (MarkGoddardHealingArts.com).

"I live the Spirit of Art & The Art of Spirituality. Since Life is such a Dance, I am here to make the most of it on all levels. My life as an artist is my life as a Light Worker."
~ Mark Goddard

"Where the Spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art. Those who took as guide anything other than nature herself, the teacher of teachers, labored in vain."
~ Leonardo da Vinci

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Featured Artist Interview from Style Magazine July 2014 Issue: Mark Goddard blends spiritual enlightenment with artistic genius to create a deeper connection between the viewer and the canvas. His Shamandalas: Visual Medicine work is currently on display in Placerville and Fair Oaks.

AB: You have a unique combination of spirituality and art in your paintings. Do you find that it's hard to separate yourself from your work because of this?
MG: I believe we are all interconnected- with one another as human beings, with all living things ("all our relations" as the Native Americans say) and with our planet- and I see this interconnectivity as natural and harmonious. My passions, my spirituality and my love of nature and spirit are all reflected in my art. I see my life as a kind of game or dance. I learn about myself and how I move in the world, and through that learning, attempt to help others. I have a strong sense of faith in the universe and myself. My creative process is a form of meditation and introspection, as well as being a conduit for healing intention out in the world. Each piece is actually attuned to a different chakra or energy center. It's a way that I can connect with people and the planet, both as a healer and an artist. I'm honored to have my art featured in more than eight countries and over 50 online global galleries, so I feel like I'm an integral part of my work and my world. I take comfort in that sense of union and purpose.

AB: Do you always paint in series or do you have individual pieces that stand on their own?
MG: My current completed series has been the most popular and gratifying of all the art I've done so far, and I'm currently really enjoying working in series, with several more concepts for future ones planned. I'm working on a new piece that will be the first in a series entitled Sacred Geometry and Angels. In the past, I created single pieces (mostly landscapes and abstracts).

AB: Your educational background is an interesting mix of fine art and science. How do you feel that has shaped your artistic style?
MG: My science background has given me precision, a pursuit of detail and perfectionism that I love. My art background is a flowering of my love of nature. Through this, I see the perfection in the imperfection, which is something you cannot capture using a computer graphics program- even though I've used these for many years as a graphic artist and small business website designer.

AB: What would you most like to say to the young artists?
MG: Pursue art from your heart. Have the confidence that if your passion in life is to be an artist you will find a way to do it and make a living. See your life as a game of strategy, pursue a broad education (get the sciences, get the humanities), and develop your spiritual side. All things you learn will come in handy- some in ways you couldn't possibly imagine.

For more information, visit sacredportalsart.com.

In dedication to my grandest supporter, my wife, Sage Taylor Kingsley-Goddard: