One of the tenets of the Zentangle philosophy is "No Mistakes". Whatever unintended mark appears on your paper remains, because there are no erasers in life. We have every right and power to alter our mark, and can even just cover it up or cut it out! But in some form or another, it remains for us to remember. I mention this because I was looking at my first art journal this week, done in 2016-17. I was looking for notes on drawing over acrylic paint, which always challenged me. Page after page I had tried different techniques with paint--acrylic, watercolor, gouache, watercolor pens-- and made notes on my process and what happened. It was fascinating to see all the things that hadn't really worked to my satisfaction. Two years of this! Lots of lessons on what not to do! And how rich it all felt! I never really showed it to anyone, since it felt like a secret treasure.
When I post my work here, I include the warts and bumps, of which there are many. I do this to encourage you to accept and embrace whatever you make. Rob Bell says, "What every artist must learn is that even the failed pieces are essential." In my case, the failed acrylic pieces--much to my joy!--led me to use more watercolors, inks and pigments. (And reduce my mess. I hated cleaning up acrylic paint from my brushes!) I hope that whenever you come here, you take away some power to venture out and make your own "mistakes".
Here's the work from the past week:
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