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?

Pay It Forward

For the last few years, I've participated in a creative pay it forward game on Facebook.  The idea is to create something handmade--art, food, a letter, etc.--for five people.  Those five people, in turn, create  something for five other people.  The gift is a surprise and can show up at any time of the year.  It's a lovely way to do something nice for others.  Paying it forward encourages us to share kindness and creativity with others.

Here are some bookmarks that are in process for this project.  I started with a blank page then added a yellow lettering background with a stencil and Dylusions ink spray.  Next, I used the Dylusions "Flossy" female figure stencil and Twinkling H2Os to create shadow figures.  I played with coloring some of the skirts in and leaving some as silhouettes.

I'm starting to like how these are coming out!

Next up:  tangling!

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.

A Nutty Christmas

Do the holidays feel crazy to you?  If you get together with family, do you feel like someone opened a can of life-sized mixed nuts?

We're nut an exception (groan). Squirrels are an inside joke in my family since my mom claims to dislike them so enthusiastically.  She equates them to rats with bushy tails, and she really doesn't like rats.

Everyone has started to give her squirrel-related cards and gifts, and I'm no exception.  Thanks to Ben Kwok's beautiful squirrel template, I created this tangled squirrel for my mom.  After opening it, she said she might have to start liking squirrels now!

Here is the final colored version using my Irojiten colored pencils.

Here was the original black and white.

The First Item on My To-Do List

Does your to-do list seem like it will never end?  

Do you feel like you're adding ten items before you can even cross off one?

My head was spinning this morning as I thought about all of the things I had to do today.  The holidays tend to pile up extra projects including shopping, wrapping, cleaning, decorating, and visiting.  While I love all of the items on this list, except for cleaning, I find the extra pressure daunting at times.

I started to make a list of what I had to do and immediately felt overwhelmed.  Rather than give in, I picked up a tangling project and my Micron.  It felt wonderful to slow down, relax, and tangle.  My mind stopped whirring and panicking about all of the little things I should be doing.  Instead, I enjoyed a few quiet, creative minutes with myself.  Here is a small, unshaded part of this ZIA:

I put my Micron down and picked up a regular pen and paper.  I then proceeded to make a realistic to-do list for the week.  

Of course I can't do it all in one day!  Who am I, Santa?  

The simple act of tangling for a few minutes allowed me to put everything into perspective so I could focus on what was important.  I figured out the few things I could manage to complete today and prioritized the rest of the tasks.

I'm smiling.  I feel calmer.  I am able to jump on that list rather than tackling it grumpily.  I love this time of year, and I love preparing for it.  Why should I let a little stress interfere with my seasonal festivities?  Bah humbug!

Next time I start a to-do list, I will remember to write "tangle" at the very top.   

Lucky 13

I am loving this ATC swap!  Here are three more I created this week.  I have completed 13 out of 53 and am on a roll.  I used several of my favorite patterns to complete these three pieces.

I love the two with the Twinkling H2O backgrounds and glue resists.  The greenish one is a monotangle of Paradox.  This pattern is interesting because it has different twists and turns depending on which way you form your lines.  I think the two versions look like fans and rigatoni!

The pink bubble card features the random version of 'Nzeppel.  I started with the space between the bubbles then added a magnified version of the pattern inside the circles.  I enjoy how the colored pencil shading makes the bubbles look like they're floating.  

The center tile features Cyme and Poke Leaf and some quick colored pencil.

It's Never Too Late

I could bemoan the fact that I am 20 or so Diva challenges behind, or I could choose to look at this as a fun, creative endeavor.  I pick the latter!

So what if I'm behind?  So what if it's likely no one will see my posts on the Diva's site?  I love to share it with others, but ultimately, I create my Zentangle® art for me.

I have decided to go back and complete the challenges that I missed when life's craziness got in the way.  I will work backwards until I meet up with the last challenge that I had completed.

I love the challenges and the opportunity to try ideas, patterns, and techniques that I might not have considered previously.  This is also a great way to help me get more of my ATCs done for the swap.  

I love the newer Zentangle® pattern Quib.  It offers such creative opportunities, although it does tend to take over a piece with those fun tentacles.  

Here are my two ATCs (9 & 10 of 53) featuring Quib for Diva challenge 145: