Happy birthday, mom!

I haven't posted much in the last week because I was keeping my latest project secret until I could give it to my mom.

My mom loves frogs so I knew I had to try to tangle some frogs for her.  I used a frog stencil, like the elephant I used for Dilip's Ganesha, to create my border.  I couldn't decide how to fill the frog, so I started with the backgrounds.  I wanted something bold because I originally thought I might leave the frogs white.  I had so much fun with the backgrounds that I couldn't leave the frogs blank.  I tangled and tangled away.

It helped that my darling daughter was asleep in the car.  Each of the three tiles (only two posted so far) was created during a separate napping experience.  It was relaxing to hear her deep breathing in the back of the car while we were parked along the river.  Tangled nap times are my favorite!

I love how Braze looks like leaves in the background of this one.

Marasu makes this frog looks like it's getting sucked into a vortex.

Soon I'll post the third frog featuring a new tangle pattern.

After creating my frogs, I couldn't decide whether I should leave them black and white, usually my favorite, or if I should color them.  After Sandy Steen Bartholomew's lesson with Inktense pencils, I couldn't wait to try coloring the frogs.  I had shaded my tiles which I would do after coloring next time.  I scanned my frogs and printed onto some cardstock to test the colored pencils.  Obviously the colors aren't exact on this paper, but here are my test results:

I want to practice with my Inktense pencils on a better paper next time because I loved using them!

Diva challenge 88: IX

Ever since learning the new tangle IX at my CZT training, I've been obsessed with it.  I find it so relaxing to do.  I just keep repeating the auras and can really let all of my concerns just disappear.  It's my go-to tangle when I'm stressed.  I also love using this as a monotangle--one pattern to cover the tile.  

The Diva challenged us to use IX this week.  So I guess this isn't much of a challenge for me, but I'll use it as a tribute to this awesome tangle pattern.

Zentangle Ganesha

Dilip, one of my fellow attendees at the CZT IX workshop in Providence is working on a goal of creating 100 Zentangle Ganesha tiles by December 21, 2012.  He has recruited fellow CZTs in this quest.  On his blog, Dilip explains his lovely reason for wanting to create 100 Ganesha designs.

I wasn't sure how to do something elephant looking, so I opted for an animal stencil that I had.  I made my string to be the elephant profile.  Next, I filled in the background with IX since Dilip and I both learned that new tangle at our CZT training.  It seemed fitting.  :-)

Then I couldn't decide if I should leave the elephant blank like a reverse silhouette or fill with tangles.  I thought that leaving the tusk white was a good compromise.

This was a wonderful challenge for me to try to interpret something new into my Zentangle work.  I also love playing with IX and find it so relaxing.  I can't believe how close my aura lines are getting!

Dilip, thank you for the challenge.  I hope that my piece is worthy of your collection.  Best wishes to you on your artistic endeavor.

Diva challenge 87: pinwheels for peace

This week's Diva challenge was to create a pinwheel for peace in honor of the International Day of Peace (September 21).  We could interpret the challenge in different ways--using a pinwheel-shaped string, using pinwheels in the design, or tangling an actual pinwheel.  The last option sounds like fun and I may try to see if I can create a pinwheel.

In the meantime, I created a tile with a pinwheel-shaped string.  The shapes immediately said Mooka to me, so I did a modified version to fill in the space.  I enjoyed a relaxing lunch hour filling in behind Mooka.

I might not have saved the world or fostered peace between nations, but I enjoyed some quiet time while creating.  Zentangle brings me such joy and allows me to be present in the moment and to let my worries drift from my mind.

Maybe peace can start with one calm mind at a time....

Falling tangles

It was an honor to spend a recent day with the New England CZTs (NUTZ) for some new tangling techniques.  Suzanne Binnie taught us how to create an elegant watercolor wash background for a beautiful tangled leaf.  Here is my final result:

I can't believe how much I love this project.  I'm not one for using much color in my tangled artwork, so this is a perfect compromise for me.  It was fun to fill the leaf areas between the veins and to see how the symmetry became unsymmetrical due to the variations in the leaf.  I think my favorite part is the top--Purk, Printemps, and Betweed.

I can't wait to try this technique again.

Talking Zentangle

I spent a lovely evening at the open house for the newly remodeled Community Center at North Town Hall in North Chelmsford, MA.  I'll be offering monthly classes here starting in a few weeks.  I'm so happy that this beautiful building has been restored for everyone to enjoy.  What a wonderful community resource!

It was fun to talk with the visitors about Zentangle.  Some people had heard about it, and a few had taken a class. Most were intrigued by my designs and interested in learning more.  It was easy to explain why I use Zentangle art for relaxation while my darling daughter was running around the place.  All of the moms understood completely and liked the idea of doing something creative, relaxing, and quick.  

I am especially thankful to the impromptu babysitter who kept track of my daughter while I was talking about Zentangle.  It isn't too realistic to describe Zentangle as relaxing while chasing a toddler out of the room and up the stairs.  :-)  My helper earned the "Love" Zentangle inspired artwork in the corner of my table as a thank you.  

Several people were interested in my upcoming classes.  I'm looking forward to sharing my love of Zentangle with others!

Here's a picture of my display:

Creating to create

So this week has been less creative than I would have liked.  Instead, I've been spending my time creating materials to help other people create.  I've been working on workshop flyers, business cards, and other marketing tools.  I enjoy this type of work, but I need to tangle before the day is done.  Even if this week's focus hasn't been on my own craft, it's exciting to think that I'll be helping other people begin their artistic journey with Zentangle®.  I also booked a few more classes too.  I can't wait.