The 100 Day Project (2): Black on Black

Happy March! My intention for this month is simplicity. "Simplicity is nature's default position," says Dr. Deepak Chopra. We've made it through the exciting energy of new resolutions and celebrations. For me, March is a time to hope for simple things: an emerging bud, longer days, greener grass, drenching rains that soften the soil so I can more easily weed and plant. 

For my 100 Days Project, which I wrote about last week, I finished February with the same color palette: gray tiles, pink ink, white charcoal and graphite. I liked the unity it gave to bring these tiny 2-inch pieces together. With the beginning of March, I was inspired by Stephanie Jennifer, Singapore CZT extraordinaire. She posted some black tiles drawn with black ink. I've done some black on black before, and was eager to do it again. I used a 3-D ink, Sakura Glaze pen, in black. 

First attempt

I rubbed some soapstone powder over the tile before drawing.

I tried to create textures to catch the light.

A tangle that has always challenged me, CanT, with this technique, seems more friendly!

I'm not sure how this will evolve over the next week. Black on black is fun, but a little rough on the eyes! The bold nib feels great, so I'll see what transpires tomorrow!

I hope you have a fun week, with light to make your black days shine!

PS: Just a gentle reminder that I am switching to another mail service on March 10. Please let me know if you would like to RENEW or UNSUBSCRIBE. Thanks!

The 100 Day Project

Have you ever heard of the 100 Day Project?  It is a free global initiative begun in 2013 inviting folks to choose a creative project and do it for 100 days. It doesn't matter if your 100 days are consecutive; just do it for 100 days. This is a new endeavor for me, and, in my current "no expectations" mindset, I've embarked! My creative project is to complete 100 2-inch squares of art. (The 2-inch squares of paper in Zentangle are called "Bijou tiles".) 100 days of Bijou. I'm thinking that I will use limited tools for this as I re-explore simplicity and the elegance of limits. And how much can you put on a 2-inch square without it becoming totally overwhelmed?!?

I picked up some gray Bijou tiles for these, and a pink pen. (That was unintentional!) Here's what we have so far:

Drum roll, please.

Tangle (pattern): Appease, by Connie Green

"Kruller", by Jody Genovese

Drawn on the back of the previous tile

"Heart Blossom", by Beth Gaughan

"Waltzy", by Sue Schneider

5 down, 95 to go!

I hope that this inspires and motivates you to participate in this challenge. (Leave me a comment if you're ready to give it a go!) Don't overthink it. Your challenge can be brushing your teeth in 100 different ways! As always, just have fun!