I Think I Can

Like the Little Engine That Could, I'm thinking I can stick with my New Year's Resolution of creating art every day!  My Tangle-A-Day calendar is a big help in that regard.  My 2013 calendar was abandoned very early on and ended up being a random sketchbook rather than a daily artistic journey.  Not this year!  I'm having a wonderful time playing each day while working on other projects too.

After last week's Diva challenge, I felt inspired to keep playing with Aquafleur.  Here is a stack bursting out of the page.  I love how this one came out.

Here's the beginning of February.  I was playing with different strings and patterns.

I have to figure out a better way to get this calendar to scan so the shading comes out right.  The color is all off no matter what I tweak.  I hope you get the idea.

It's February

Happy February!  

Do you enjoy Valentine's Day or hoping that the Groundhog will tell us that this cold and snowy winter will be over?  I vote for both.

I felt a little inspired by Valentine's Day while working on this week's Diva challenge.  Laura, the Diva, asked us to work with the latest official pattern from Zentangle®, Aquafleur.  I am digging this pattern, although I never do mine quite like the step outs.  I prefer to let the bands spread across the shape rather than curling back inside the shape at the end.  I love how patterns can be individual.

I'm still plugging away at my ATC challenge even if I haven't posted the pictures in a little while.  I love working on this size and usually make ATCs in small batches.  Here are two Aquafleur ATC "duotangles," to use the Diva's term.  The first features IX in the background, and the second has a bed of Printemps.

I love patterns with repetitive lifework and auras.  I seem to find these the most relaxing of patterns.

Have an Aquafleuristic February!

Catching Up

I am shocked by how well I'm doing with the 365 Days of Art challenge,  It really is true--pick a New Year's resolution that you love, and you just might stick with it!  I may miss an occasional day, but I have some days where I tangle many pieces, which I think makes up for it.

Behold, my latest Tangle-A-Day 2014 calendar pages!  I think I have to go back to scanning the pages rather than taking photos with my iPad, but you get the idea.  I love to use the pages of this calendar to practice new patterns, to play with ideas, and to create art.  

Playing with flowy patterns.

Playing with a new favorite, Wheelz.

My pattern WGT, grid seeds, and circle practice.

Playing with Portia from Tangle Library.  Not sure about this one.

Playing with patterns from Tangle Library. Fun!

More fun Tangle Library practice.

Daily Tangling

Week two of my 365 Days of Art challenge went well, although I forgot to write about it.  

I'm loving Michele Beauchamp's new pattern, Mak-Rah-Mee.  It combines the feel of Keeko and Mooka into a fun, flowing pattern.  I let the pattern fill half a week in my Tangle-A-Day calendar.

I used one of my daughter's bowls to create a string of circles for the other page.  I love filling in circles and their intersections with different patterns.

This week, I worked on some more ATCs for the swap and practiced many new patterns.  I'll share images of those soon.

I love being creative every day and have enjoyed finding a few minutes to explore my art.  I'm worth the time!

365 Days of Art: Week 1

Woohoo!  I made it through the first week of my 365 Days of Art challenge!  Ok, I realize that one week of a resolution isn't that impressive, but I know people who have already abandoned their ideas of eating healthier, exercising, or getting organized.  I think the key is finding a resolution to do something you actually enjoy--like creating art!

This week, I've worked in my Tangle-A-Day 2014 calendar for each day of the week.  I've posted the first two pages here for your oohing and aahing enjoyment.  On January 4-6, I was feeling inspired by shapes so each square features patterns with a circular, square, or triangular feel.  It must be my preschooler rubbing off on me!

I've also been working on my ATC (Artist Trading Card swap) and Pay It Forward bookmarks.  Another side project I have is updating my tangle book and practicing a ton of new tangle patterns.  I'll share more information about that project next time!

How are you doing with your resolutions?

Happy New Year!

White Zentangle Tile, Glimmer Mist, black and brown Microns

Happy new year!  It's 2014 and time to start anew.  

I hear many of my fellow tanglers say that they love their Zentangle® practice, but they forget to tangle.  I get it.  Life can easily interfere with our creative ambitions.  It can sometimes be hard to take a few minutes for yourself when everything else gets in the way.

For 2014, you get a blank slate for the new year!  Pick up a pen and start.  It doesn't matter what pattern you choose or what the end result is... just tangle.  Once you start, you can get yourself out of a creative rut and enjoy your journey once again.

Did you make a New Year's resolution?  I decided to work on a creative one because I, too, often lapse in my tangling.  As much as I love it, and as much as I benefit from my regular practice, I find myself bogged down on the craziness of life as well.  

Not in 2014!  This year, I'm taking a pledge to create art of some kind every single day.  I am joining the 365 Days of Art Challenge.  For each day of the year, I will strive to create some form of art.  I'm keeping it easy since this is an ambitious adventure, and I will leave the creative expression open for exploration.  

I might create a tangled tile, work on a larger piece, make a greeting card, make a gift, practice lettering, or do whatever inspires me!

I am thrilled to have Carole Ohl's new Tangle-A-Day Calendar for 2014.  It's a lovely way to create art each day.  Carole provides perfect boxes just waiting for tangles along with patterns and beautiful artwork.  I will probably post those pages at the end of each week since multiple days are on the same page.  

As with any resolution, I think it's important to be realistic.  I have to make allowances for the inevitable.  There will be occasions beyond my control that prevent me from creating on some days, and I can live with that.  My goal will be to make up for it the next day so I don't get off track.  Or, maybe I'll tangle a little extra some days to cover those unexpected days.

I hope you all have a happy and creative new year!  If you've made a resolution, try making it flexible enough that you can make it work.  

My tile also fits in with the Diva's 2014 challenge this week.