Diva's Challenge #357: Paradox

"In contradiction and in paradox, you can find truth," said Denis Villeneuve.

I don't know if I found truth this week, but I know I had fun! Here are my 5 days of Paradox.

Watching TV, I got distracted and started drawing Paradox like Munchin, but I think it still worked.

Paradox à la Zenbutton, a trend started by Marguerite Samama on Facebook.

Another journal52 prompt: Soar. My text was excerpted from this Michelle Obama quote: "Just try new things. Don't be afraid. Step out of your comfort zones and soar, all right?"

The elegance of simplicity

Following Michelle Obama's advice, I did a trial with homemade scratch paper. 

Another journal page

Thanks for peeking in! Let me know if you found any truth here!

Diva Challenge #356: My name in string!

From the sound of it, we've all had a pretty busy week, and mine was no exception. A delightful Zentangle intro class at the library on Sunday; a quick, but fun visit from my daughter on Tuesday; snow (!!!) on Wednesday; a relaxing Zentangle intro class for an engineering company's wellness program on Thursday and an inspiring March for Our Lives (and more snow!) yesterday. In my spare time, I've been looking at youtube tutorials--thanks, again, Michele Wynne!--on art journaling. What a fun mess that is! I think I prefer the portability, simplicity and economy of Zentangle, but I'm having a blast exploring mixed media and the possibilities for upcycling.
I started my art journal a year ago, inspired by journal52. I was quickly overwhelmed by the prompts: one word, and then lots of reflection questions, plus a visual. For now, I've decided to make my art journal a place to play and explore different techniques, and incorporate favorite quotes or ideas connected to the prompts. I'm using a Rhodia journal that was a gift from one of my students. I've discovered gesso, which I now use to sturdy up the pages.
Anyhow, here's what I have to show for my week:

Ah, the joy of black and white on a 3.5 square paper!

Gesso, crayon resist, acrylic, collage, Prismacolors, embossing, Microns, Sharpie, Royal Coat--everything but the kitchen sink!

Just collage today, but that may change ;)

If I don't somehow glue myself to the kitchen counter, I'll be back next week.

Thanks for your visit! Have a creative week!

Diva Challenge #355: The Verve!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Hope you are enjoying a good brew with some nice corned beef, cabbage and potatoes and dancing a happy jig!
This week I've been fighting--and mostly losing!--a common cold, the first I've had in years. When I take the cold medicines, I feel better, but loopy, which just makes me close my eyes and sleep! When I don't, I can't stop sneezing and blowing my nose. Yesterday, I decided to go with loopy until I'm better.  So I haven't had my eyes open very much. When I did, I drew the craziest stuff. It reminds me of Dr. Seuss.

I was inspired by Michele's beautiful drip flowers, and watched the tutorial. When I flipped my paper, my hand slipped and the drips came out wonky! (This is actually quite befitting of my week.)
Before I did this, I had done another Verve attempt in my little journal, while watching David Letterman's interview with Malala Yousafzai.  The text on the right was something I wanted to remember. "The best revenge is forgiveness."

Thanks for visiting! Have a healthy and happy week!

Diva Challenge #354: Siri

How has your month of March started off? Mine has seen me trying to get back to a "normal" tangle activity. Tomorrow I'm teaching a class called "Now What Do I Do?" Many of my students have experienced artist's block, and so have I! While preparing for the class, I remembered Sandy Hunter's Tangle Jar, which I made a few years ago. I decided to draw some disks and see where they took me. Feeling a little uncertain, I picked up my bold tip Pigma 10, an inky security blanket, like those big pencils and crayons we had as kids. When I finished, I added some color.

On Tuesday, I made 2 hand-sewn 3.5 inch square journals. These can sometimes make daily drawing easier, since I don't "worry" about using a tile. (I know. That's silly and un-Zentangley.)

Free-styling with Wholly Hollibaugh

I was delighted to see "SIRI" as the Diva's Challenge this week. Simone and Ria are so creative, supportive and generous, and deserve to be honored in our community. The tangle was challenging for me, so I needed a few days to reconcile my hand and brain with it. 

Siri #1, with a little help from the Tangle Jar, and with a pop of pink for Simone

Siri #2, straight, no chaser, but not quite there yet!

Siri #3, on a Cheez-Its box

Siri #4, Bijou-sized

This high-focus, for me, tangle was just right for my current state of mind. Thank you, Laura, Simone and Ria, for this great gift!

Thank you for all your support and kindness. Have a peaceful and positive week.