Wednesday, January 30, 2013

It's Been a Busy Week

It's been a very busy week here, so forgive me the long post. I know most of you are here for this week's Diva Challenge, so I will start there, but you can also find information about:
  • the release of my book: Made in the Shade: a Zentangle Workbook
  • a shading class to go along with the book
  • now I'm a speaker, too
  • virtual book club: One Zentangle a Day by Beckah Krahula
Despite all of the things I have to do this week, or perhaps because of  all of the things I have to do this week, I started with the Diva Challenge.  It's one thing I do each week for me.  It helps keep me focused and centered and helps me grow as an artist.  Sometimes life gets so hectic that unless I make it a priority, I can flit from task to task without doing anything that requires any thought or exercising my creativity. When this happens, I start to feel vaguely uneasy and unfocused. Tangling helps these feelings go away.

This week's Diva challenge was to use String #3 from TanglePatterns.com. I've never used a string from TanglePatterns before. In fact, unless I am teaching a beginner class, I rarely use anyone else's string.   For me, Zentangle is more about the process than the patterns, so I generally use official tangles and rarely explore TanglePatterns.  But I thought that since I was there I would challenge myself to use patterns that I've never used before. So, here is String #3 filled with:  2-in-5, capell,feather,girlande,japonica, ojo, queen's crown, ragz, raindotty, sand swirl (I really like this one), and zazzy.

Here, it is unshaded. I wasn’t sure I liked it very well before I shaded it.
Diva Challenge
After, it’s OK. By the way, instead of using a tile, I used my sketch pad and traced a CD as the outline for my frame.
Diva Challenge

Made in the Shade: a Zentangle Workbook

My book is now available for purchase! It has been a long, but rewarding process. I have learned so much, not only about shading but also about formatting, design, image processing, InDesign, Photoshop, and, of course, self-publising. So far, the reviews have been good. Kelley Kelly, whose tangle Thanksgiving is introduced in my book, wrote a review on her blog.

Made in the Shade: the Class

I am developing a 3-hour class to go along with the book. The first official class will be at the Retreat to Paradise in Indiatlantic, Florida on April 7-8. But, for those who live in Central Ohio, or who are willing to travel, you can attend the dress rehearsal for this class for FREE! All I ask is your honest feedback to help me make the class the best it can be. See the Class Schedule page.

Retreats, Here I Come


CZT Hideaway logo
I have been invited to speak at two retreats the same weekend.  First, I will be introducing Made in the Shade at the CZT Hideaway in Indiana. If you are a CZT, check out this retreat. There, I will be introducing the book, signing copies, telling people about the writing/publishing process, and, of course, shading. Everything about this event promises to be special: the accommodations, the events, the hostesses. You name it.  I am sad that I can only spend a day and a half there.

RTP logo web
But do not feel sorry for me.  The reason I can't stay is because then I am off to Retreat to Paradise. I am so excited to be spending 2 days on the beach. There is no place I'd rather be than walking on a quiet beach watching the sun come up.  And there will be some pretty cool classes offered there also.

Sadly, you must bet a CZT to go to that one also.
Not a CZT? Get a group of people together and call me.  I love to travel.

One Zentangle a Day

When I was at CZT training, I had the honor of meeting Beckah Krahula, author of One Zentangle a Day. She is one of the most remarkable women I've ever met.  She is truly inspiring.  So when I found out she was writing a book, I was thrilled. When I found out she was going to include a piece of my art, I was beside myself. (OK, so it is so small even I have trouble seeing it, but, still, it was the first time I'd seen my work in print.)

I am not the only one who loves this book.  Several of us have decided to work through this book together, and I will be hosting this "virtual book club" here on this blog. We'll start on February 1.

To be realistic, we will only play during the week.  That way you will have the weekend to catch up if life gets in the way of your 6-Week Course in Creative Drawing for Relaxation, Inspiration, and Fun.

Don't have the book?  You can get it in "under a minute" because it is available for Kindle. The cool thing is, you don't even need a Kindle because there are Kindle readers for your computer and just about every device out there!

Your first assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to get the book and read the introduction. Then, come back on Friday as we explore Day 1 together. I hope you will play along.

10 comments:

  1. Love love, love the shading and that you turned it into a zendala!

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  2. I got your book yesterday. It is going to be a great help to my shading. Thank you for thinking about shading as a topic for a whole book!

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  3. The before shading and after shading pictures really show the impact that shading can have. Have not gotten your book yet but it is on my list. Hope it will make my shading half as good as yours.

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  4. I like the idea of using a circle to put the verrrry straight string in. And the shading is great. The depth in your work is so booming. Love it.

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  5. What a great idea to put this string on a circle tile! And it's great to see the impact the shading has. Nicely done.

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  6. What a great idea, to us a CD as the outline for your very beautifully shaded string tangle. Really wonderful. Congrats on all you accomplishments,too!

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  7. Very nicely done, Cris. I love how many circle templates there are--CDs, glasses, plates, pencil cups, etc. I've even used some of my daughter's puzzle pieces and toys in a pince for a starting border.

    I hope you had fun playing with some other patterns. I just learned a few of these too and had a blast with them. Of course, I'm blown away by the expert shading on your finished piece. You're so great at it, you really should write a book...oh wait, you did! hehe.

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