Yellow Mandala 1970

Clarence Holbrook Carter made this ‘Yellow Mandala’ with paint, though exactly when, I’m not sure. The piece is all about color and the way it seems to glow from within. It’s like Carter applied the paint in thin, transparent layers. Each circle or oval subtly changes in tone, creating depth that makes you feel like you could fall into it. There’s this one spot right in the center, a tiny orange dot, which feels like the whole thing is breathing in and out from that point. Thinking about process, you can almost feel Carter carefully layering each shape, building it up slowly. The precision suggests he used masking techniques to get such clean edges, creating these geometric forms. The painting feels really meditative, like a quiet conversation. It reminds me a bit of Agnes Martin’s work, where simple forms become a way to explore inner space. To me, this piece captures something about how art can be both precise and deeply felt, a balance I always aim for in my own work.