Thursday, June 7, 2012

Tangling Within the Lines


Did you ever wonder why things happen the way they do? We've been very into the show Touch and perhaps that is why I've been seeing connections everywhere.

For instance, this week's Diva Challenge is to use the tangle Bridgen which to me isn't as much of a tangle as it is a technique. One than enhances your string. Then there was Rick's comment in last week's Blog Zentangle where he said, "I did not use all the strings on this tile. I simply acknowledged the ones I wanted and tangled over the others as if they weren't there." Which struck me as particularly brilliant after having watched the show Head Games on Sunday, where they showed how reveals just how ingrained we humans are to follow the rules and conform to the herd. They showed regular, intelligent people mindlessly following a road to nowhere.
Finally, there was THIS:
the only pre-strung Zendala that I don't get along with!
I've tackled this guy before and this is the result:
IMG 1873
It's OK, but something about it just doesn't feel right. I really like the string, but I found it so hard to tangle, probably because it is asymmetrical.

So, I figured I would start by doing Bridgen on the parts of the string I like and seeing where it would lead me. 
Start
Phase 1
I had to stop at this point and stare at it for a while.  It wouldn't back down, so I went off and ate pizza.  Since it is a Zendala-shaped food, I was hoping for inspiration...

OK. Courage fortified, I came back and tangled right over the string <gasp of horror>!
IMG 1863

Once, I got over the shock, it was all downhill from there:
IMG 1866
with black on the border and some Hollibaugh
IMG 1867
with shaded Hollibaugh.  Is it done?
Detail
No, the "ignored" string kept shouting at me from inside my spirals.
The only thing I could think to do was to add more shading. 
Finish
I'm so glad I did.  You can still see that rejected string, but the shading draws your eye towards the shape of the spiral and keeps it from focusing too much on the extraneous lines.

I groaned when I saw this weeks' challenge, but I ended up really enjoying it. How about you?

12 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing the steps you made. It turned out very well I think.
    I myself liked the Challenge right away, because I like this tangelation very much.

    Annemarie Huijts

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  2. This is really neat! I like how you shared your steps and thought processes.

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  3. Thank you for showing the progress of you magnificent zendala! I love what you have done in this challenge!

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  4. Thanks for sharing. Sometimes we do need to remind ourselves that our strings are a jumping off point, suggesting where we might go. We can follow them or like Rick, choose to ignore them. So glad you listened to your inner voice. Your Zendala is wonderful, beautiful shading!!

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    1. I like that. It's been a while since I taught a beginner class, probably why I forgot about strings being a suggestion instead of a boundary. Thanks for reminding me. I'm glad you like it.

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  5. Part of the creative process for me has always been "what would happen if I did this..." or "what if I added a little bit of that over here"... good job on listening to your creative inner voice, which talked to you in so many ways it seems! :)

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    1. Thanks. Sound so much nicer than "talking to myself."

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  6. I think your tile turned out great. But then, I liked the first one, too. :-) Thanks for sharing your "Dare" story this week.

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    1. Hee hee! I love the way you "talk to yourself" throughout the challenge! I will admit though, I like your second attempt!

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  7. Thanks so much for sharing your thought process. That process served you well as the finished product is spectacular!

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  8. this is awesome! i always feel like i have to adhere to the lines - so glad to know that i don't! and that i'm not the only one that deals with it :) beautiful job!

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  9. Cris...I think this turned out beautiful!! Having those "pre-strung" lines showing bothers me too!

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