Looks Like a Sunny Day - #1

I am ever so thankful to have the Zentangle® method in my life.  On a regular basis, I relax while creating beautiful works of art.  Even when I don't like the end result, the process of focusing on one pattern or one stroke calms my racing mind and helps me put aside my worries.  I no longer eat when stressed; I tangle.

Sometimes life's issues can't be tangled away.

We just found out that our young daughter has to have surgery soon. It's fairly routine and will be worth it in the end, but it's still scary.  She's strong, and she's young enough that she won't remember any of this later on.  Logically, I know everything will be fine.  As a mom, I'm terrified.

I've decided to create a tangle a day through my daughter's surgery.  She loves to sing the "Mr. Sun" song with me.  Each day, I will create a Zentangle inspired piece related to the sun.  That way no matter how we all feel, we'll have sunlight surrounding us. 

If you feel like tangling something sunny, I'd love it if you'd share with me.

Here is my first tangled sun.  I love how the colored version came out (created with indirect coloring with Tombow markers), but I'm including the unshaded black and white version too.  In case you're wondering, I felt much better while tangling and coloring, but the stress came right back when I put my pens away.  I wonder what the record is for consecutive tangling....

"Oh, Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun, please shine down on me."

That's Just Shady

Do you love to shade your Zentangle® artwork?

Check out the new book, Made in the Shade: A Zentangle Workbook by CZT Cris Letourneau.  Cris details a variety of ways to shade individual tangles, Zentangle tiles, and Zentangle Inspired Artwork in this informative and handy workbook.  Shade along as you go!

I'm also excited because some of my original artwork is featured in the book.  :-)

Strung Up or Strung Out?

Yes, I'm still awake.  it's 2:31 am, and I just had to post my other piece since I finished it.  I created this week's Diva challenge tile while catching up on Downton Abbey.  Tangling plus British dramas might be a dangerous combination for my sleep habits.

For this week's challenge, we were to use a funky string with points off in various directions.  I copied the string in the morning but didn't get to tangle until the evening.  I wasn't sure where to start.  My initial instinct was to fill all of those lovely triangle shapes with Paradox.  Sensing that this might turn into another Paradox monotangle, I looked for some pattern ideas.  I love to flip through books, Pinterest, and my past work when I get stuck.  Tangler's block is just like writer's block.

A new place I go when I get stuck is to visit CZT Sandy Hunter's site at Tanglebucket Studio.  Sandy has created kickstarters with four randomly selected patterns from a jar.  As usual, I had only used two of these patterns before, so this was perfect to get me unstuck.

I played with Verve first.  I can't believe how close my lines are!  I was in the zone on this one.  Next came some Dust Bunnies and Purk (a fave).  I've used Beadlines before as a flowing tassel.  For some reason, the lines of the challenge string kept calling to me, so I used the Beadlines to fill in much of the string with a few extra tendrils hanging off.

So here's my efficient tile combining two challenges in one:

It's 2:41 am and time for bed.  My husband is going to kill me.  Maybe it's a good thing he doesn't keep up with my blog.  :-)

Enough is Enough

How do you know when enough is enough?

• When you run out of time?
• When you get bored?
• When the world tells you so?
• When you don't have the energy?

What if you got to decide when enough was enough?

Although I find the Zentangle® method of creating artwork relaxing and enjoyable, I have learned that I cannot work on a project before bed.  Here I am at 2am having just finished two projects that inspired me, and I am wide awake.  I was too excited to share my creations with you.

Erin at The Bright Owl challenged Zendala lovers with a new template this week.  Instead of working on a Zendala tile, I opted to use my brand new Strathmore Toned Tan paper.  I traced my template, and went at it.  This paper arrived the same day as Erin's new challenge, so it seemed meant to be!

I had an amazing time watching the tangles come to life when I shaded with my new Prismacolor pencils.  The white highlights in Purk are much more impressive in person.

I completed the entire center and was in love with my work.  Was it enough?  Was it finished?  Was I satisfied?  Enough wasn't enough.

Sometimes I worry that in wanting to do more, I may go overboard and not like the end result.  Even as a CZT, I have to remind myself that the Zentangle method isn't really about the end result--it's about the journey.

I stepped back, put the piece down for a few hours, and looked at it again.  It wasn't enough.  I wasn't done playing with this piece yet.  I drew the circle around the inner Zendala thinking I'd fill in the full circle.  That wasn't enough.  I was so in love with this new paper that I wanted to do something different.  I thought about doing a background tangle to make the Zendala pop in the center.  I considered N'Zeppel but ended up with Ibex.  It's not a pattern I use often, but I had a blast doing it (hence being up at 2am).  I shaded Ibex, added some shading around the inner circle, and voila!

Hmm, maybe one more post before bed....

Tangling Fun at the Peabody Institute Library

What a night!

I had a blast teaching a Zentangle class at the Peabody Institute Library in Peabody, MA.  We had a stunning and intimate setting in the Sutton Room filled with a parquet wood floor, built-in wooden book cabinets (what you really picture when you think of a grand library), old books, and an amazingly detailed ceiling.  The room was filled with tangle pattern inspiration!

The class was a surprise to me because about half of the participants had already been creating Zentangle art.  The Zentangle method of creating artwork is amazing.  It brings a group together regardless of artistic talent, previous experience, or other abilities in a welcoming, creative, and relaxing space.

I heard it all--

from "I can't do that." "I made a mistake."  "I don't like mine."
to     "Wow, I did that." "Look how cool that looks." "I didn't think I could do it, but I did" (said with a beaming smile).

It was an honor to teach for the group in Peabody, and I hope they enjoyed every second of it.

Without further ado, here is the first tile these artists created tonight:

What a stunning job!  Thank you to the Peabody Institute Library and for the attendees for a wonderful evening.  I wish everyone an exciting journey into the relaxing realm of Zentangle art.

Challenges--Personal and Creative

This week the Diva poses another "string theory" challenge.  The string is in the shape of the logo of the Moebius Syndrome Foundation.  The Diva's dear son "Artoo" has this syndrome, and their lives have certainly had a variety of challenges.  The Moebius Syndrome Foundation defines the disorder as:

Moebius syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that is present at birth. It primarily affects the 6th and 7th cranial nerves, leaving those with the condition unable to move their faces (they can’t smile, frown, suck, grimace or blink their eyes) and unable to move their eyes laterally.

Laura, aka the Diva, chose this string for the challenge because Moebius Syndrome Awareness day is January 24.

In honor of Moebius Syndrome Awareness day and "Artoo," here is my Diva challenge piece:

Laura has opened her heart and life to tanglers around the world.  During her weekly challenges, Laura shares stories about her family, their travels, their happy times, and their trying times.  It is saddening to read when "Artoo" is sick or hospitalized again, but I'm glad that Laura and her family have a lot of wonderful support.

Challenges.

Sometimes we challenge ourselves to try something new, and sometimes life throws challenges at us.

What's Black, White, and Red All Over?

My Zendala!

Here's my latest Zendala creation from scratch.  I really love creating my own Zendala shapes to fill in with fun tangles.  I was excited to work with red and black on this one and was surprised by how much I didn't want to fill in the areas with dark sections.  I liked the linework enough and wanted it to stand on its own.  I love how Paradox came out in the center and how it pops with shading.  I was tempted to fill the dagger areas on the outer edge with solid black before going with some more red.

I love being able to experiment with new things.  I love letting my art take me in directions I didn't anticipate.  When I started this Zendala, I didn't know where I'd end up other than having some red.  I would have expected to fill in my Bunzo or the negative space in Hollibaugh, but I surprised myself.

Let things evolve in life.  We can't have it all planned out.  Zentangle® art, like life, doesn't have a predetermined outcome.  The best way to make it further along in our journey is to try things.

Tangles used:  Paradox, Bunzo, Hollibaugh, and Jetties.