Where to go for String Support

Here are some useful links I gave in today's "String Theory" class.

• tanglepatterns.com
• It's a String Thing challenge
• The Diva's Weekly Challenge

Here are some of the ideas for strings I mentioned.

• Letter
• Number
• Stain
• A shape you trace (lid, coaster, tile, leaf, etc.)
• Rope strands
• Ribbons
• Stack of wavy or straight lines
• Another tangle. Hollibaugh for "ribbons", Printemps for a spiral, Bales for a wonky rectangle.

Diva Challenge #360: Tripoli and Shattuck

It's Wednesday, and I'm ready to post! That doesn't happen often! With a fairly busy end of the week, I took to my art journal this morning after prepping a page titled "Emerge" yesterday. If you saw my post last week, you may recall that I've been trying to incorporate more Zentangle into my art journal.
Last night I returned to my small handmade 3.5 journal to play with Tripoli and Shattuck, two of my favorites, and some Koi watercolor pens.

This morning, on to the big journal. I did the tangling before I knew if I would use "emerge", which seemed tricky. Once finished, I looked for a quote. The quote inspired the addition of color, which, for me, brought it all together.

"I'm very representational some of the time, and a little all of the time. 

But when you're painting out of your unconscious, figures are bound to emerge."

-Jackson Pollock

I like this. Here are some other pieces leading up to it.

"I am neither of the east nor of the west. No boundary exists within my breast."--Rumi

Inspired by creationsceecee video

Started with a giant bleed-through, ended with Zendalas! (Templates from Zendala Dare)

Thanks for your time. Have a lovely week!

Diva Challenge #359: Finger String

Most of my art time this week has been in the company of my art journal, with very little Zentangle involved. I have mixed feelings about this. I'm having so much fun working on a larger surface, problem-solving, playing with paint and glue and paper and ink and sparkles and text and...everything! The Pinterest pages and the youtube videos just delight the senses! Michele's recommended creationsceecee videos are so relaxing and instructive. But I am missing Zentangle, too, with its structure.
So this week, I decided to combine the two, or at least try! (Yesterday, after subbing in a sixth grade class, I needed something quiet and soothing!) I traced my hand in the journal, and immediately thought, "That's a lot to tangle!!!" So I drew a stacked string behind it. The bands were wide, so I picked up my gold Shadow Gelly Rolls. Filling them in, I made some mistakes, but just kept going. This hardly thrilled me!! The empty hand puzzled me. I had thought I would leave the negative space, but the dots from the Rhodia paper just didn't work.  The journal52 theme for this page was "Release". I hesitated, but put down some blue acrylic for a sky.  Clouds, then some shading,  highlights and my reminder to "Let go".

(5.5 x 8 in. /14 x 21 cm) 

I like how it finally came together.

Thank you for visiting! I look forward to seeing your tiles!

Diva Challenge #358: Pickpocket, or Mistakes

Mistakes. According to Einstein, "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." They prevailed in my artistic endeavors this week! A hot mess of mistakes. Trial and error. Attempts gone awry. I used to tell my middle school students, in their moments of frustration, that learning is messy, not pretty or comfortable!
Our Diva challenged us to use Tomas Padros' new tangle "Pickpocket".  My first attempt, not shown, taught me that I need to be focused on the connecting lines that imitate the "telephone" lines Maria describes in Huggins. And then, those pesky triangles, that remind me of the "Play" and "Rewind" buttons on my old tape player, which remind me of how old I am. Can I still learn? Ha! My second attempt saw me focused on direction--under, over, left, right. Not my personal forte, but I did it! My third attempt turned me on my head again, so out came the giant black marker to reclaim the space! My final attempt  s l o w e d  me down, and almost made me snap at my husband when he asked me a question!

Marks-a-Lot to the rescue!

My art journal, where I collect favorite quotes and try to learn how to keep paint and ink from falling off the page, reflected my experience with Pickpocket. If you were here last week, you may recall Michelle Obama's quote: "Just try new things. Don't be afraid. Step out of your comfort zones and soar, all right?" I continued in this vein with a quote from Mary Tyler Moore: "Take chances. Make mistakes. That's how you grow." I had this nice background that I created with watercolors and a straw.

I finished the page with some tangles and the quotes, and then without scanning, went back to work on the previous page. This was a simple page, where I just wanted to play with texture and acrylic. Forgetting to put wax paper behind the page, I spritzed it and finished the page with a quote from Chuck Palahniuk. 

And then I laughed out loud when I turned to the next page and saw the results!

Lesson 1: Don't forget the waxed paper! Stay away from the Gelly Roll! Laugh if you goof!

Finally, two more pages where I seemed to maintain my focus a little better!

"I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection." --Leonard da Vinci

Photo courtesy of Duke Performances and Steve Olivia

Remembering a childhood friend who recently passed away

Thanks for checking in on me! If your week is messy, have a good laugh!

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.

Heart Zendala

Thank you for all your kind expressions of sympathy last week. I really appreciate your support, and feel it strongly in my life, not just in my art.
I am sad to say that my Diva tile this week honors the two loves that Lar and I lost in three days last week. After the passing of Minou, we saw Socks suddenly waste away. Our home feels empty, as they were such a huge part of our lives for the last eight years.  They were always with me when I tangled, and Socks came every morning for "our" yoga practice. I am so grateful for the time we had together.

Nested Hearts

When I drew the string yesterday for this week's tile, I found that the hearts would not nest by joining at the upper "v". I inverted the inner heart for my string, and felt relief that I would not have such a "hearty" tile to complete. Tangling with no real desire, I started to see a heavy heart that was being lifted up by the "wings" of the inner heart. This took on more and more meaning as I realized that my heart, heavy with worry for our little cat, Minou, was somehow going to be carried by a smaller, but stronger, heart inside me.
Today, as I was doing my morning meditation, I noticed a small rainbow on the carpet in front of me, coming from the prism in my window. This immediately brought to mind the "Rainbow Bridge" poem for our beloved animals who have passed on.  Although it might seem maudlin to some, it has brought me comfort over the years.  Seeing my tile from yesterday, I remembered the hymn "I'll Fly Away", one of my dad's favorites, that sings of the release from earthly woes at the moment of passing into the "land where joys will never end". A few hours later, at the vet's, Lar and I released Minou, with love and gratitude, from the pain he had been suffering from renal failure for the last week. After 14 years together, it was a difficult goodbye, but we are grateful for his sweet spirit and never-ending love.

"When I die, Hallelujah, bye and bye, 

I'll fly away."

"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge."

Minou the Magnificent, showing off his white "M"

Diva Challenge #351: Heart of a Champion

This week, we lived through another horrific school shooting. I, like most, don't understand how we can sacrifice our children to terrorists, to a nation-wide addiction to violence and guns. My heart is filled with a yet unvoiced moan, wail. "Thoughts and prayers" has become a mockery, but for now, all I can offer, as I try to sort through my confusion about what to do, is my prayers for the victims and their families, and my commitment to stop the insanity. I applaud the survivors who are speaking out, and leading a protest on March 24.

Diva Challenge: Heart of a Champion
2/13/18

Diva Challenge #350: Rimana

February is definitely back, and so are the heart-themed challenges. Not a big fan, but I decided to give it a go.

For my string, I did multiple  incomplete hearts that lay off the paper. I lay down Nadine Roller's "Rimana" tangle on top of the string. It started to grow. That inspired me to add some Pokeleaf, and finally Mositoo, which lends itself to an occasional heart shape here and there. As I added color, it really came to life. I really like this one, sneaky hearts and all!

I did a few more compassion meditation for kids at school this week. Here's one that I managed to photograph!

Thank you for stopping by! Please have a fun week!

Diva Challenge: Rumpus

"rumpus: a noisy disturbance; commotion. hubbub, uproar, furor, fracas"

I cannot think of a better word to describe what you get when you combine middle schoolers and a blue, blood super moon!!!  Luckily, Rumpus, the tangle, is, for me, at least, quite relaxing and lovely. A great challenge from the Diva, perfectly suited to my week of substitute teaching!  I confess that I did this tile this morning, with some resistance, created by my preoccupation with Sunday chores and heading back to work tomorrow. However, once I got started, I liked where we were going. It was an interesting study in backward design, a concept in education where you begin curriculum design by defining the desired outcome. But this is Zentangle, where we don't plan ahead. I drew the finished Rumpus first, then the stripped down one and finally the sketch, without planning a single stroke.
What a curious and fascinating method, this Zentangle!

I continue to do compassion meditation tiles for the kids I'm working with. I try to work the "lesson learned" from their "mistake" into their tile. Unfortunately, they tend to grab the finished tiles before I can take pictures of them!  Here's one with a favorite Michelle Obama quote:

And another monogram

Thanks, as always for stopping by. Have a rumpus-less week!

Diva Challenge #348: Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day

January 24th is Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day. Moebius Syndrome is a congenital nerve disorder affecting VI and VII nerves controlling the lateral movement of one's face. Laura--aka The Diva CZT--has an adorable son, Artoo, who was born with this disorder, which only affects these facial muscles, and nothing else! Artoo, one of some 5,000 people in the WORLD with this disorder, is an intelligent, talented and fun-loving boy! If you follow the Diva's blog, you are regularly treated to cute pics and awesome updates on Artoo and his older brother, Chewie. This week the Diva asked us to tangle the logo for the Moebius Syndrome Awareness Foundation.

Last Sunday, I taught my first class on black Apprentice tiles. We had lots of fun. Here's a mosaic for our second tile.

This was only my second full week of substitute teaching since starting on January 2. Definitely a challenge to get "gussied up" five days in a row, make it to work by 7:40, face the elements for 45 minutes while I try not to frighten parents in the "kiss and go" lane with my unruly hair! Ha! For the most part, the days have gone by smoothly and quickly, but have left little time for tangling. I generally get home, change into my "active wear" and cuddle up with the cats until it's time for supper. By 8:30 or 9, I'm ready for bed! 

My office mates provide lively and thought-provoking conversation during the school day.

I did manage to do a couple "compassion meditation" monogram tiles for two of our students. Here's one.

Thanks, as always, for stopping by. I apologize for not getting around to see your posts last week, but hope to catch up!  Have a wondrous week!