The Meditative Art of Rafaela Santos’ Hand-Painted Mandala Stones

Rafaela Santos, known online as Amandala Rocks, is an artist who turns humble stones into breathtaking canvases. From her studio in Portugal, she creates intricate mandala pieces by hand-painting smooth, stone-like surfaces with precise dot patterns.

“My hand-painted mandala stones are a symphony of dots, meticulously placed to form exquisite patterns.”

For Rafaela, the act of painting mandalas goes beyond art; it’s a form of meditation. Each dot she places is part of a quiet ritual that helps her tap into her creativity while finding a sense of calm.

What makes her creations even more interesting is that these “stones” aren’t actually real. Instead of disrupting natural rock pools or ecosystems, she uses plaster and silicone molds to create her own. Carefully crafted to resemble smooth river rocks, these eco-friendly bases align with Rafaela’s commitment to creating art that’s both beautiful and ethical.

If you’re curious to explore Rafaela’s collection or add one of her pieces to your own, you can visit her website to learn more.

More art on the grid via Instagram